Page 93 of Forever Enough

Doug searched the room until he found Emily. “I’d be willing to move Heaven and Earth for her.”

I followed his gaze and felt my heart jump in my chest at the sight of Mackenzie. She must have felt my gaze on her, because she turned, and our eyes met. I smiled softly, and she returned the gesture, but added a wink that had my body wishing we were alone.

“I’ve never seen her look so happy. Mackenzie, I mean.”

Turning to look at Doug, I smiled. “I’ve never been this happy.”

He put his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I’m glad she found you, Bradly. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s those two women. They’ve had to deal with a lot of shit, Mackenzie more than Em.”

“Okay, no standing in the corner. Come mingle and get to know everyone, Doug!” Avery commanded as she pulled us both farther into the room.

Aunt Lincoln and Aunt Timberlynn had gone above and beyond with the New Year’s Eve event. The food was amazing, the company truly wonderful, and the best part of all—not a game in sight!

“It’s almost time!” Avery shouted as she rang a cowbell to get everyone’s attention. “Grab that someone special and get ready to count down!”

Thomas, a friend of Avery’s from school here in Hamilton, helped her down off the table and the two of them went to stand with Joshua and Nathan. Everyone else gathered around with glasses of champagne to celebrate the new year.

As Avery and Nathan led the countdown, I wrapped my arm around Mackenzie’s waist and drew her closer to me.

“Thank you,” I said as I kissed her forehead.

With a giggle, she asked, “For?”

“Moving to Montana. Being in the barn on Christmas night. Letting me into your life.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you for seeing the lights on in the barn. And for being pushy about going out.”

I tossed my head back and laughed.

“Six! Five! Four!”

Placing my hand on the side of her face, I leaned down and whispered against her lips, “I love you.”

Her eyes met mine as she whispered back, “I love you too.”

“Happy New Year!” Everyone cried out as our lips connected and we rang in the new year together. And what a year it was going to be.

When we broke the kiss, reluctantly, I glanced over to Doug and Emily. He was saying something to her, and I knew the moment her face lit up like a Christmas tree that he’d told her about his idea to move to Hamilton. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

“I wonder what this year will bring?” Mackenzie asked as she let her gaze roam around the room.

I did the same and couldn’t help the smile on my face. “I have a feeling it’s going to bring a lot of happy memories. And more family coming home.”

Turning to face me, she raised a questioning brow, but before she could ask, Emily ran over.

“Kenz! Oh my God, you’re not going to believe this! We’re moving to Montana!”

Mackenzie’s eyes went wide with shock as she looked from her sister to Doug, then back to Emily. “What? Wait—are you serious?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Doug applied for a position here and he’s pretty sure he’s going to get it. We’re going to be near each other again!”

Mackenzie looked to Doug, who smiled and gave a single nod. Then, turning back to her sister, they both let out small screams and hugged.

The news traveled fast throughout the party that Emily and Doug were moving to Montana. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Doug talking to my father and Uncle Brock about cattle a short while after that. Minutes later, he informed me that he was going with us the next morning to check the fence lines. He wanted to see what ranch life was all about.

Little did he know, he was going to freeze his ass off, and if there was a downed fence, he’d be put to work. I didn’t think he was ready to give up years of medical school to become a rancher full time, but it would be fun to watch him learn something new.

When the night started to dwindle and everyone sent Lily and Maverick off with a huge goodbye, we started for home. I walked Mackenzie, Emily, and Doug up to the apartment.

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