Page 93 of Mountain Hero

Leo lifts his chin in Enzo’s direction. “I’m really happy for you. Blade and Arrow has changed my life.” He casts an affectionate glance at Georgia. “In more ways than I ever expected.”

“Let’s toast!” Ronan calls out, and lifts his glass. “To a new beginning.”

As everyone lifts their glasses, I meet Enzo’s gaze. He looks so happy it brings tears to my eyes.

His uncle would be so proud—seeing the boy he raised to be a man doing such incredible things, using this house and property to protect people, just like Enzo protected me.

My nose prickles as I imagine Uncle Caleb watching Enzo and smiling. Knowing his prediction came true, and that Enzo is happy here.

Maybe he is here, somehow.

Crap. Now my eyes are burning and I’m in real danger of crying, which is not the reaction I want people to see after such exciting news.

While everyone swarms around Enzo and his new team, congratulating them, I head into the bedroom to gather myself. I grab a tissue to blot away the tears welling up, then peer into the mirror to make sure my eyes aren’t all bloodshot and glassy.

“Hey, hun. Are you okay?” Enzo comes into the bedroom, shutting the door softly behind him. His forehead is creased with concern. As he gets nearer to me, the concern shifts to outright worry. “Are you crying, Winter? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” I sniff.

“It sure looks like it.” He takes my hand and leads me over to the bed, then pulls me down on his lap. “Is the party too much for you? Too many people? If you want me to ask everyone to leave?—”

“No!” It’s quick denial, louder than intended. “No,” I repeat more quietly, “the party is fine. Really. I’m not sad. I was just thinking about everything, with your uncle giving you this place, and your plans, and how proud he would be of you. And it just made me a little emotional, is all.”

Enzo stares at me for a second, not speaking. Then he swallows hard. “Winter. Thank you for saying that.” Another swallow. “I guess… I didn’t think about that. But I hope he would be proud. I hope he will be.”

“He is. I’m sure of it.” Holding Enzo’s gaze, I add, “I’m so proud of you. And I’m thankful. If I hadn’t walked into your store that day… I’m thankful for you, Enzo. I feel so lucky to have met you.”

“Winter.” His eyes go shiny, and his voice thickens. “I’m the lucky one.”

I cup his face and brush my lips across his. “We’re both lucky, then.”

“We are.” He hugs me close and kisses the top of my head. After a few moments, he pulls back enough to meet my gaze, showing me everything he’s feeling. Affection. Love. Trust. Devotion. And something deeper that goes beyond words.

“Before,” he starts, “when we were in bed. And you were in my arms. You said you wanted to stay there forever.”

My heart leaps. “Yes.”

“But.” Enzo takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I want more than that.”

Oh.

“What do you want?” Please let it be what I’m hoping.

“I want forever with you.”

Oh, these tears.

I take my heart and hand it over to him. “I want forever with you, too.”

“Ah, hun.” His jaw goes tight, and I can tell he’s trying not to cry. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

I kiss him again, tasting salt on my lips. “You’re my forever, Enzo. I love you.”

“Winter.” It’s soft. Rough. Filled with emotion. “You’re my forever, too.”

My Enzo. My love.

Finally, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

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