Page 23 of Bringing Home the Bad Boy

“Sometimes the law needs to see the bigger picture.” I surprise myself by speaking up. “Sometimes being human matters more than being right.”

Lowe looks between us, his face a storm of conflicting emotions. Finally, he steps back. “Fine. But this better never happen again.”

“It won’t.” Rosa’s voice is quiet but steady as she meets his gaze.

Something flickers in Lowe’s eyes – anger? Guilt? But Rosa is already turning away, gathering her purse with trembling hands.

“I’ll get my things from the house,” she says to Trace. “I think… I think I need some time. The bed and breakfast on Oak has monthly rates.”

“Rosa—” Trace starts.

“Please.” She touches Jelena’s cheek softly. “I’m not leaving. I just need space to adjust. To figure out where I fit now.”

I watch as something shifts in Lowe's expression. Like maybe, he is starting to realize that not everything can be sorted into neat categories of right and wrong.

Some things just are. Messy. Complicated.Human.

***

I stack the last plate in the dishwasher, exhausted but grateful. The house still buzzes with the warmth of everyone who’d come together today – our impromptu thank-you gathering for the search volunteers. Even my father had stayed, though he’d mainly stood in corners looking awkward and nursing the same beer.

“Enough.” Trace comes up behind me, taking the dishtowel from my hands. “You’re dead on your feet.”

“There’s still—”

“Nothing that can’t wait.” He tugs me toward the living room, where our Christmas tree glows, casting colorful twinkling lights on the walls. Jelena had conked out hours ago, worn out from her adventure and the evening’s excitement.

We sink onto the couch together, and I curl into his side, letting out a breath I feel like I’ve been holding all day. His arms come around me, strong and sure.

“I was trying to tell you something this morning,” he whispers against my hair. “Before everything went to hell.”

“Hmm?”

“When I told Rosa my future was with you…” His chest rises and falls under my cheek. “I meant now. Forever. That’s what freaked her out. Hell, it freaks me out too.”

I sit up, my heart suddenly racing. “Trace?”

“Thing is,” he continues, reaching into his pocket, “being Jelena’s father taught me something important. Sometimes you gotta face your fears head-on.” He pulls out a small velvet box, and my breath catches. “And right now? I’m not afraid. Not of this. Not of us.”

The ring catches the Christmas lights as he opens the box. Simple, elegant – exactly what I would have chosen.

“I’ve had this since I came back to Bear Ridge.” His voice roughens. “Been carrying it around, waiting for the right moment. But after today… I realized there’s never going to be a perfect moment. There’s just us, choosing each other. Every day.”

Tears blur my vision as he slides off the couch, down to one knee.

“Marry me, Sunshine. Be my wife, be Jelena’s mom, be everything you already are to us – just make it official. What do you say?”

I can’t speak. Can’t breathe. But I can move. I slide down to my knees in front of him, taking his face in my hands.

“Yes,” I whisper against his lips. “Every day.”

The ring fits perfectly. Like it has been waiting for me all along. Like everything has been waiting for this moment, this man, this family we are building together.

His kiss tastes like promises. Like future. Like home.

Chapter 10

Ilean against the kitchen doorframe, watching my girls work their Christmas magic. Jelena stands on her step stool next to Noel, both of them dusted with flour, both wearing matching red and white aprons that Rosa brought over yesterday. My chest tightens at the sight. This is what I came back to Bear Ridge for. What I’ve been fighting for all these years without even knowing it.

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