“He called me a new motorcycle?”

“He called you a soft tail Dyna Glide, woman. Now that’s fucking love.”

Lucky shakes his head. “Thanks for your help, Brick. I think I got it from here.”

“Yup.” Brick backs up a step. “Take it away, bro.”

Lucky nods to the ring he’s holding out. “You’re better than a soft tail Dyna Glide, Grace. You’re better than any bike they build. So, how ‘bout it? You gonna give me an answer, or leave me hangin’ here down on one knee?”

“Yes! Yes. I’ll marry you.” I hold out my hand, and Lucky slips my grandmother’s wedding ring on my finger. Then he stands and swoops me up in his arms and spins me around until I feel dizzy. Dizzy with happiness. Dizzy with love.

Shouts and applause come from inside the bus, and I turn to see the passengers all cheering.

Case whistles at his men. “Move the bikes out of his path. Let him get back on the road, boys.”

The bus driver honks as he pulls out, waving out the window.

I cup Lucky’s face. “You’re sure about this?”

“As sure as I’ve ever been. Let’s go home. The girls are going to be ecstatic. And we’ve got a tree that needs one more ornament on it.”

“One more?”

“I got one with your name on it. You’re part of us now.” He hefts me up, and I wrap my legs around him.

“I like the sound of that,” I whisper.

“You ready to go home, Grace?”

“Home. That sounds even better.”

“Good, because you’ve become its heart.”

He puts me on the back of his bike, and I hang on tight. Then, surrounded by his brothers, my man takes me home. As we fly down the highway, I’m reminded of a story I once read as a child when King Arthur came with all his men to bring Lady Guinevere to his castle to marry her. Now, that’s love.

I press my cheek to my man’s back and smile. He came for me. My man. My love.

EPILOGUE

Grace—

Christmas morning has come and gone, and the room is covered in discarded wrapping paper. The girls loved their presents, and after having gotten up at the crack of dawn and eating chocolate out of their stockings, they’ve fallen into a sugar-induced crash, both snoozing on the floor while watching The Polar Express.

I’m cuddled against Lucky on the sofa when he puts his finger to his mouth.

“Shh.”

Then he swoops me into his arms and carries me to the bedroom, coming down on top of me on the big bed.

I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

He grins. “I love my bracelet, by the way.”

“Do you? I’m glad.”

“My three favorite women. I’ll carry you with me always.”

“I love you, Lucky.”