31. Sadie
SADIE
Iwas done waiting.
Completely.
Entirely.
Absolutely done.
The proof sat thirty feet away, repairing a fence.
Again.
Beast repaired a lot of fences lately.
I was beginning to suspect the ranch didn't actually have that many fences.
He just needed something to do with his hands whenever I was nearby.
The giant Ranger drove another nail into a board.
Focused.
Determined.
Oblivious.
I narrowed my eyes.
Enough was enough.
The Magnolia Ladies agreed.
Which was probably a terrible sign.
"You have to kiss him."
I nearly choked on my lemonade.
Mrs. Jenkins nodded.
"Absolutely."
Doris looked offended that this was even a discussion.
"He's hopeless."
"Completely hopeless," Betty agreed.
I looked toward the fence.
Toward Beast.
Toward the man who had literally fought criminals for me.
But apparently couldn't manage one kiss.
"He might have a heart attack."
Mrs. Jenkins snorted.
"Then kiss him gently."
The women burst into laughter.
I covered my face.
This town.
Honestly.
Across the pasture, Beast glanced over.
Immediately.
Like he could somehow sense when I was looking at him.
His eyes met mine.
And just like that, everything else disappeared.
The noise.
The laughter.
The world.
Just him and me.
The way it always seemed to be lately. Like when we were younger.
My stomach fluttered.
The giant idiot smiled.
Small.
Rare.
Just for me.
That decided it.
I stood.
The Magnolia Ladies immediately sat up straighter.
Like spectators at a sporting event.
I ignored them.
Mostly.
Beast watched me cross the pasture.
Confusion growing with every step.
By the time I reached him, he looked suspicious.
Smart man.
"Sadie."
"Beast."
"You have that look."
"What look?"
"The one that gets people in trouble."
Fair.
Probably fair.
I stopped directly in front of him.
Close enough to see the tiny scar beside his eye.
Close enough to hear his breathing.
Close enough that he suddenly looked nervous.
The realization nearly made me smile.
Army Ranger.
Terrified of one woman.
I loved it.
"Beast?"
"Yeah?"
I reached up.
Grabbed the front of his shirt.
His eyes widened.
The Magnolia Ladies stopped breathing.
Probably.
Then I kissed him.
Right there.
In the middle of the pasture.
In broad daylight.
In front of God.
The ranch.
And half of Eagle River. I was sure the ladies were sharing this with their friends.
For one glorious second, the giant Ranger froze.
Completely shocked.
Then his arms wrapped around me.
And suddenly I understood exactly why waiting had been such a bad idea.
Because Beast definitely knew how to kiss.
The man had simply been refusing to start.
Behind us, cheering erupted.
Actual cheering.
I pulled back laughing.
The Magnolia Ladies were celebrating like they'd won the lottery.
Mrs. Jenkins wiped away tears.
Doris looked triumphant.
Betty was probably planning a wedding already.
Beast looked horrified.
I looked delighted.
And for the first time since Gerald appeared...
The future suddenly looked very, very bright.