Page 22 of Merry & Wild

I just had to come home to find it.

“I’m forever yours,” he sings along with the song, “faithfully.”

“Such a dreamy song,” I say with a happy sigh.

CHAPTER 13

JOHN

Am I crazy, or have I fallen in love in the span of a day? Maybe it’s both, I don’t know, but I do know without a doubt that I’ve fallen in love with Joy.

“John?”

“Hmm?”

“This is really romantic.”

I smile against the top of her head. “I’m glad you think so. You should see this view at night when the stars are out.”

“I bet it’s incredible.” She rubs her cheek against my chest. “Are you cold?”

“Only a little. You?”

“Are you kidding? I have my own personal heater right here.” She grins up at me, and I can’t resist leaning down to kiss her. “Mm, nice.”

“Should we head back to the cabin and thaw out a bit?”

“Sure. I’ll pour us some hot chocolate for the drive back.”

“I like that idea.” I kiss her once more and then pull away, immediately feeling the loss of her warmth. “What do you think of the ranch?”

“It’s absolutely incredible,” she says, and then bites her lip and looks out over the valley.

“What is it?”

“Well, it might be way too soon to say something like this, but it honestly feels likehome.”

All I can do is blink down at her as hope fills my chest. “I, well?—”

“I can see that makes you uncomfortable,” she stammers on, her face flushing as she turns away, not looking me in the face at all. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Joy—”

“No, that was a stupid thing to say.” She’s hurrying away from me in the snow, and as she reaches the passenger door, her boot slips, and she starts to slide down the hill. “Whoa!”

She yelps, then shrieks, and I take off after her, trying to keep a hold on my footing. She slides down about ten feet before stopping, and when I reach her, her eyes are wide in fear.

“Did you get hurt?”

“I don’t think so,” she says and swallows hard. “Just my pride and maybe my?—”

She frowns.

“Your what?”

“My ankle is a little tweaked. I must have rolled it. Damn it.”

“If that’s the worst of it, I’d say we’re doing just fine. I’m going to carry you back up.”

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