Page 53 of Ranger Bravery

She shook her head. “No. I want to do it today.” Piper reached for his hand, sliding her fingers between his. “Let’s close this chapter, so we can move on with the rest of our lives.”

His brows arched playfully, even as his heart rate sped up. “The rest of our lives, huh?”

She blushed and smiled. “Is that too forward? Oh, well.” She gently tugged him down until they were face-to-face. Piper stared him in the eyes as if she was memorizing the moment. “I love you, Jackson Barker, and I’m ready to walk…” Her lips quirked. “Actually, limp, into the future with you. I’m done running. No more pushing you away. Whatever problems arise, we’ll face them together. I don’t promise it will be easy, but I swear to fight for us. Always.”

His throat clogged with emotion. It was the most wonderful thing anyone had ever said to him. For the second time in ten minutes, Jackson found himself moved beyond words.

Now. His heart said now was the moment.

Jackson bent down on one knee.

Piper gasped and her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

“I’m taking advantage of the moment quickly before you change your mind.” He removed the jewelry box from his pocket and took her hand in his. “Piper Jensen, I have loved you from the first moment I saw you, strolling down the high school hallway with an apple in one hand, a chemistry book in the other, and a fierce determination to live your dreams. You stole my breath away. And just now, you did it again.”

Her chin trembled. Tears shimmered in her beautiful eyes.

“I don’t know what the future holds, but I know my love for you is forever.” With trembling fingers, Jackson opened the jewelry box. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes!”

There was no hesitation in her answer, and Piper didn’t even bother to look at the engagement ring. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him closer for a kiss. Her lips were soft, the touch filled with more love than he could’ve imagined. Jackson lost himself in the moment, letting everything fall away except this gorgeous woman in front of him. They’d been blessed with a second chance. He intended to savor it.

When the kiss was over, Piper was breathless and her cheeks flushed. She’d never looked more beautiful.

Then she glanced down at the ring. Her eyes widened. “Is that Grandma Mary’s engagement ring?”

“Yes. She gave it to me in the hallway just now. She can’t wear it anymore because of her arthritis and didn’t know what to do with it, but believed God had a plan.” He removed the ring from the box. Piper’s left arm was in a cast, but thankfully, her fingers weren’t swollen from the broken elbow. The diamond band fit perfectly. Jackson chuckled. “She was right. Divine intervention.”

Piper looked at the ring on her finger and then at Jackson. Her gaze was soft. “I love you, Jackson.”

“I love you too.”

He moved to kiss her again, but before he could, the door opened and a nurse walked in with the discharge papers. The next few minutes were spent gathering Piper’s things and getting her prescription information squared away. While Piper waited for a wheelchair to take her down, Jackson fetched the car. He pulled his SUV around to the main doors.

Piper rose without a problem from the wheelchair, but she needed assistance getting into the vehicle. Jackson made sure she was comfortable before climbing into the driver’s seat. He hesitated. “Are you sure about this? Derek and the ranger team have been working hard to piece together what happened, but they may not know everything. The answers we get may not be the ones you want.”

“I know, but with you by my side, I can do anything.”

Her words filled him with warmth. Jackson hated to follow up the sweet moment with a meeting at the sheriff’s department, but Piper needed answers. She deserved them.

“Okay then. Let’s do this.”

TWENTY-NINE

Piper wanted to shout about her engagement from the rooftops. Her heart was full, and while she didn’t need answers to step into her future with Jackson, it would be nice to finally close this painful chapter of her past. A cool breeze from the air conditioning caressed her cheeks as she limped into the sheriff’s department. It was only May, but the days were already heating up. Predictions for a hot summer were probably right.

The bullpen was packed. A fellow deputy spotted Piper and Jackson as they walked in. Cheers erupted as everyone gave them a standing ovation. She limped her way through the crowd, shaking hands and accepting well wishes. Her heart warmed at the friendly faces.

Derek came out of the conference room. His brown eyes shone with affection. “Detective Jensen, it’s good to see you on your feet.” His use of her official title didn’t diminish his greeting. They’d long ago established a way to balance their friendship and professional relationship.

“Ranger Barker.” Derek shook Jackson’s hand warmly. Then he led them into the conference room.

Felicity and Daniel were seated at the large table with stacks of paperwork in front of them. The whiteboard was covered in dates and notes. Both rangers rose to greet Jackson and Piper. They spent a few minutes chatting about Piper’s recovery, and then everyone took a seat.

Jackson moved a chair over for Piper to prop her leg on. The doctor had advised her to keep the foot elevated to help with the pain and swelling. She smiled her thanks and then he claimed the seat next to her. It wasn’t professional, but Piper covered his hand with hers under the table. She needed his comforting touch.

He immediately interlocked their fingers and leaned closer until they were shoulder to shoulder.

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