Page 21 of January's Bad Boy: Shane

"If you don't want me to kill you, it does," Atlas butts in.

Caitlin just laughs him off.

"Of course I plan to marry you. When and if you properly propose, that is," she says with a serious look.

Ideas begin running through my head of how I can ask her with flair.

I look over at Atlas, and he's just watching us.

"I'm going to head out. Bex told me to tell you two family dinner at our house every Monday night. No excuses."

I smile. "We will be there.”

I know we will be working out all the details, though it might take time. Things might be awkward for him for a while, but we are going to be just fine.

"Time to get you home." I pick her up off the couch and carry her right out to my truck.

She squeals, giggling happily.

That is the sound that has been missing from my life. I plan to fill the house with that giggle every damn day.

EPILOGUE

AIDEN

I steppedoff the bus with my duffel in hand. Everything I owned fit into the small bag. It wasn’t much, but at least I was free. After being locked up for eight years, I was eager to get on with my life. Hopefully, Mustang Mountain would be a good place for a fresh start.

“There you are.” Shane crossed the road as the bus pulled away. “How was the drive?”

I shook his outstretched hand, relieved to see a friendly face. “Fine. I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

The bus had a flat tire outside of Billings and we’d been delayed for almost an hour. I would have sent a text to let him know, but I didn’t even have a phone. My stepdad tossed all my shit when I went to jail.

Shane shook his head. “Not long at all. I thought we could grab dinner before heading back to the ranch. Are you hungry?”

“I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee.” My stomach growled at the mention of food, but my bank account was running on fumes. I’d have to watch my spending until I started making some money.

“It’s my treat.” Shane must have read my mind. He nodded toward a building across the street. “Come on, I can’t wait for you to meet Caitlin.”

I followed him into the brightly lit café. The scent of cinnamon and apples wrapped around me as soon as I entered. It smelled like heaven. My gaze traveled around the room, the sight of so much food making my mouth water. A curvy brunette waved to us from the other side of the café. A huge smile spread across her lips as Shane slid onto the bench seat next to her.

“This is my fiance, Caitlin.” Shane leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I set my duffel on the opposite side of the booth. It was hard to believe he was engaged. He’d only been out of prison a few months longer than me, but he seemed completely comfortable and settled. Maybe in time, I’d feel the same. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Restroom’s in the back,” Shane said, already turning his attention back to Caitlin.

I wanted to wash the grime of the bus off my hands before I sat down to eat. Following the sign for the men’s room, I turned the corner and something—or someone—slammed into me. A phone smacked onto the wooden floor and flew under a nearby table.

“What the fuck?” I mumbled as I stepped back.

The woman looked up at me with wide green eyes. They were the same color as the tops of the tall pines I used to be able to see over the towering prison walls.

“My phone.” She bent down and reached for the device.

It had been years since I’d had physical contact with a woman, especially one with so many soft curves. I stood there, my feet frozen in place, while she grabbed her phone and straightened.

She shoved it in the back pocket of her jeans. “You should have watched where you were going.”

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