Epilogue
RHETT
Four Months Later
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask as I drive between the trees.
Elle turns to me, as bright as her nickname Sunshine. Though there’s some tightness around her eyes. She reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“I’m certain.”
The new owners of her parents’ house have asked if she’d like to see the old place one last time before they move in. I was surprised when Elle agreed, but maybe I shouldn’t be.
These past four months have been…
Life-changing.
I’m still working as a bounty hunter. And yes, I still stalk the night when the need is there. I may have saved my woman, but there are still innocents out there, still people who need my help.
Well, our help. A few weeks ago, Elle actually helped me talk to a woman who was being shaken down by some lowlife wannabe gangster. After that, I used her on another job to help me win the trust of a bar owner so I could gain access.
We’re like Bonnie and Clyde, she joked.
Yeah, I replied. Except we’re the good guys.
I drive up to the house and then kill the engine. It looks similar to her cabin now, except it has an energy to it, an aura. Or maybe that’s just because it’s too easy to superimpose my memories onto it.
“Are you ready, Sunshine?” I ask.
She looks at me with that gorgeous smile. “With you, yeah, I am.”
We climb out of the car together.
“I love you,” I whisper, kissing her on the forehead as she wraps her arm around mine.
She smiles up at me. “I love you too.”
In my jeans pocket, I feel the ring box pressing. It’s been there for a month now, but we’re not even living together yet. After that first time, I’ve been reluctant to push her.
“So, this is where it all ended,” she murmurs, looking at the property. “In my head, it’s always so much bigger.”
“I’m proud of you for coming here,” I tell her.
“It’s where so much ended,” she murmurs. “But it could be where everything begins, too…”
She turns to me, squeezing my hands firmly. There’s so much meaning in those lion eyes of hers.
She’s ready. Not just to be here but to face her past.
She’s ready for us, for more than just love. She’s ready for commitment.
“Elle, move i—”
“You can do more,” she whispers, licking her lips. “I mean, if you want…”
My heart pounds. Has she seen the ring? Or perhaps I’ve given it away somehow.
I don’t care.
She’s ready!
“Elara,” I say, my voice husky and choked up. “I love you so much. You’re talented, funny, kind, and stubborn. More than anything, you’re strong. And if you say yes, I’ll count myself the luckiest man alive. Hell, say no and I still will, because I got to be with you.”
I reach into my back pocket, take out the ring box, then kneel and open the box, showing a thick, gorgeous diamond glittering in a white-gold band.
“Elara Vance,” I say, “will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she yells, smiling widely.
As soon as I slide the ring onto her finger, I stand. She collapses against me, crying happy tears, as we find each other’s lips.