Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 18010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Rogue’s voice carries on the wind, and I will myself not to look back. If I do, I might just beg him to let me stay, to give me the family I’ve been craving.
He catches up to me and captures me in his arms.
“Let me go,” I tell him, not bothering to wipe at my face and hide the tear tracks.
“Never,” Rogue says fiercely.
I swallow hard against the thick tears in my throat. “I can’t do this. You have a family, people who love you.”
Rogue says, “I do have a family. And you are a part of it.”
I gasp at his words, my heart pounding painfully against my ribcage. “I don’t know what I’ll do when you decide to get rid of me. I’m not perfect. I’m messy and chaotic.”
“I don’t care about any of that. I want you, Susie, just as you are. I love you.”
For a moment, everything stops. I push my hair from my face. “You love me?” I repeat, wonder and awe filling my voice.
He reaches into the pocket of his blue jeans and produces a jewelry box. “I picked this up today. Had the Kringles pass it to me.”
Tears are filling my eyes again. “Rogue…”
He reaches out and squeezes my arm. “Wait, let me get this out. I love you, Susie. I want you to be my wife. I want forever with you. I want to build a family with you. I know I’m a bit older than you, but no one will ever love you more than I do.”
“I love you too,” I whisper.
A relieved grin lights up his face. He opens the box and pulls out the ring, gently sliding it on my finger. “I’m taking that as a yes.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “It is definitely a yes from me.”
My grumpy mountain man pulls me into his arms, tangles his fingers in my hair, and kisses me like he’s never going to let me go.
As we walk up the driveway, Rogue wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.
Mackenzie opens the door, and I freeze. I glance at Rogue, looking to see how he wants to handle this. But he tightens his hold on me and presses a kiss to my temple.
“It’ll all be OK,” he promises softly, and because it’s him making that vow, I know it’s true.
Mackenzie casts an anxious glance her father’s way. “We found a flight at the last minute, and I wouldn’t let Ace tell you. I knew you’d be worried about us flying in that weather,” she explains and glances to me. “I didn’t mean to ruin your holiday. I’m sorry.”
“No, you didn’t ruin anything,” Rogue says.
“I’m really glad you’re not alone anymore. I’m happy you found someone,” she says to her father before giving me an apologetic look. “This is kind of weird.”
When I flinch, she shakes her head and says quickly, “It’s a good weird. I’m really happy my dad found someone.”
“You are?” I ask, doubt coloring my tone.
She nods, her expression hopeful. “I already think of you as a sister. This just further cements the bond.” Before I know what she’s doing, she reaches out and pulls me into a hug.
I meet Rogue’s gaze over her shoulder, and he gives me a soft smile. I know it’s alright, just like he said it would be. I’m now part of his family.
10
SUSIE
“I think we did good.” Mackenzie nods as we shove the last bag into her car.
It’s Christmas Eve today, and we spent the last two hours together, combing through the mall in Asheville looking for gifts. Between her wedding and honeymoon, she hasn’t had a lot of time for Christmas shopping. This relationship with Rogue is so new that I haven’t either.
More than that, I wanted to get some alone time with Mackenzie and make sure she’s truly okay with this relationship, even though she’s been nothing but supportive and kind.
“We should grab some lunch,” Mackenzie suggests as we get back in her car. We set out early today, grabbing hot chocolate and cookies from Courage Cookies before driving into the city.
We’ve been on the road for a few minutes when I clear my throat. “Thanks for being cool about everything.”
Mackenzie grins at me. “It would make me a hypocrite, considering I took his best friend.”
I chuckle. “Well, I hadn’t thought of that, but it’s still different.”
She merges onto the interstate. “It is different, but I’m really glad he’s with someone, and I’m excited that it’s you.”
My heart bubbles with joy at her words. I’ve spent so much of my life alone, longing for community and family. I found both right here in Courage County.
When we get back to Rogue’s cabin, we find it empty, which gives us plenty of time to wrap gifts. Well, it gives me time to wrap gifts. Mackenzie prefers to chuck things in bags. She shakes her head at me. “Wrapping is literally the worst.”