Page 91 of Wasted On You

“I’m asking for a date for New Year’s Eve.”

Mike Paul grabbed her hand and squeezed hard, the look on his face hungry and fierce and so full of love it made her heart hurt.

“Fairly certain I’m available.” He pulled her down until she was sprawled across him. “Wilkens?”

“Yes?”

“You feel like maybe crawling into bed with me?”

“Is that allowed?”

“Do you care?”

Her answer was a long, slow kiss that curled her toes and made him groan. She got into bed laid beside him. She held him and cherished the feel of his strong, healthy body, and after a while, she looked up at him.

Mike Paul was asleep, his face relaxed. She snuggled up against him, finally feeling that she was where she was supposed to be. She’d just been given the best Christmas present ever, and no way was she letting it go. She smiled at the thought and, after a while, joined him in dreamland.

Epilogue

New Year’s Eve

“Candlelit out there. How perfect.”

Mike Paul turned as his mother entered the room. Her eyes, full of concern, moved over him, head to toe.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“I’m good.” His pain was sitting around four, and four he could more than handle.

She ran her hands over his lapel and moved his jacket a bit. It was a bitch with his shoulder in a sling and constantly falling out of place.

“Maybe I should just leave it off.”

“Do what you need to feel comfortable.” His mother stood back. “My handsome boy.” Tears shimmered in her eyes, which made Mike Paul feel like shit. She’d been crying for a week, ever since Clappison had taken that shot.

“Mom. I’m good.”

“I know,” she said lightly. “These are happy tears.” She winked. “Big Bend’s most eligible bachelor is settling down.”

It was strange knowing that he and Ivy would be a team. She’s already moved most of her stuff into his house. He smiled at that. Hadn’t taken her long at all.

The door opened, and Cal Bridgestone walked inside. “We’re almost ready,” he said with a grin before dropping a kiss onto Melody Darlington’s cheek. “I’ll make sure he gets down the aisle.”

“I’ll see you out there,” his mother said before leaving him with his best friend.

Cal cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his pockets. They were at an old church on the Bridgestone ranch, one that hadn’t been used for church service in nearly seventy years. Small, charming, and a bit on the cold side, it was the perfect setting for his and Ivy’s wedding. With only a handful of guests, it would be an intimate ceremony.

“Have you seen her?” Mike Paul asked, his nerves finally getting the better of him.

“She’s beautiful.”

“Yeah.” He cracked a smile. “Who would have thought all those years ago that you and I would end up with the only girls in Big Bend who could kick our asses if they wanted to?”

“Kind of what makes them special.”

Mike Paul nodded, then exhaled. “How’s Jacob?”

“He’s good. Sitting with Cobi.”

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