Page 59 of The Rancher's Second-Choice Wife

“Or at least not until you answer my question.”

Valerian only stared at her. Only at this moment did he realize it was actually possible to want to kiss a girl and shake sense into her at the same time.

“Are you trying to kill me?” he asked grimly.

“I wasn’t—”

“Just ask whatever you have to ask,” he gritted out. “Whatever it is—”

“Will you marry me?”

Had he fucking heard her right?

“Again?”

Valerian’s eyes squeezed shut. God. God. God.

“And this time, no longer in secret?”

Poppy’s voice was shaking, and when he opened her eyes again, it was to see her already crying.

“Because I want the whole world to know—”

He pulled her off her knees and into his lap, and her teary laugh was lost in his kiss as he fell back against his seat.

God. God. God.

Poppy’s arms wrapped around his neck. He had let his hair grow longer, and for one moment, terror reared its ugly head up—

Please God, don’t.

And for once, Valerian heard His voice just fine.

I won’t.

Her fingers brushed against his curls again and again. But nothing happened.

Nothing.

He was free of the past.

Free of his old self.

God. God. God.

In Poppy’s kiss, Valerian tasted hope, forgiveness, and love.

Thank You. God. Thank You.

---