Page 129 of Nanny for the Firefighter

“Mason,” I turn further to look at him, but he holds me close, “you can’t be serious. That’s too much. It’s not like we’re married or something.”

He smiles at me with a shrug. “Not yet. But it’s not just that. Your mom and mine were so close. She was practically a second mother to me, and I needed that with my dad gone. I want to repay the favor. I want to say thank you.”

Choosing to let the “not yet” go, for now, I smile back at Mason, shaking my head.

“You’re incredible. And I know that my mom cares about you deeply. She’ll…she’ll be grateful. As am I.”

Mason just grins. “Anytime, love.”

I’m shaking my head again but turning around and getting comfy. Mason wraps his arms around me tighter, a deep breath leaving him slowly as he settles me against his chest.

“I love you, Mason. So damn much. I truly do not know what I’d do without you.”

“And you’ll never need to. I’m not going anywhere.” He kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Bridget. Forever.”

“Forever,” I whisper, and then exhaustion begins to claim me as I lie comfortably with the love of my life.

Epilogue

Bridget

Six months later…

Water slaps against the shore in a mesmerizing rhythm as I lounge in my canvas folding chair. The sun is shining brightly, but thanks to the massive umbrella above me, I can happily relax without worrying about getting a sunburn.

I can hear Mia’s excited squeal as she plays with Mason in the sand.

This is certainly an “extra” way to enjoy a family vacation. Not that I mind. And how many toddlers can say they’ve been to Hawaii?

There are so many wonderful things about my life with the two of them, but right now is utter bliss.

We’ll be back in Red Lodge in just a few days with so many incredible stories to tell Mom and Hudson, and I know that he owes Meredith big time for not coming along on the trip.

But you shouldn’t fly when you’re that pregnant, and Meredith has been cursing her husband as often as she can for “knocking me up again, you bum.”

Smiling to myself, I set my book down on the cooler, using Mia’s handmade bookmark to hold my spot. The romantic suspense genre has become something of an obsession of mine since I sort of lived it myself.

I’ve even started a little book club with Meredith, Mom, and one of her friends from when she needed a nurse, Caroline.

Healthy coping mechanisms for the win. Also, werewolf porn, but Mom doesn’t need to know about that one.

Giggles filter through the air, and I crack my lids to see Mia chasing Mason with a stick covered in seaweed. I can’t help but laugh at the scene, so incredibly grateful that this is my life.

I still can’t believe how much my life has changed since I came back home. Hell, even over the last six months.

I was thoroughly convinced that my life would always be just running from Jai, living in survival mode until I finally kicked the bucket.

Mason was gone, and I’d missed my chance with him. That’s what I firmly believed.

But coming home was the best decision I’ve ever made, becoming Mason’s nanny paired along with it.

And to think that now I was so much more to Mia than just her nanny.

That little girl—and her father—are my entire life, and I am so incredibly proud and honored that I get to be her Momma.

My chance at kids had nearly been taken from me, but it seems that not only did fate bless me with an opportunity to be with Mason again, but to be the mom I’ve always dreamed of.

And I’m not living in constant fear anymore. After the trial, Jai was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree attempted murder.

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