Page 21 of My Lumberjack Valentine

I feel my cheeks heat. I don’t want to admit that I eavesdropped on his phone call, but there’s no way around it.

“When I woke up, I went looking for you,” I tell him quietly. “You were on the phone and…well, I heard what you said.”

Boone’s frown deepens. “What did you hear?”

The thought of repeating it makes me flinch, but I take a deep breath and say, “You said this wasn’t real. That I was just some girl you met on the street.” My throat tightens, but I continue, “I know it’s the truth, but I guess I just assumed after last night, you might feel differently…but I was wrong. It was a dumb mistake.”

Boone’s expression clears, like he finally has the answer to an important question. “Is that all you heard?”

I nod. “I didn’t stick around to hear more after that. It was enough to remind me that this is all fake…”

Boone runs a hand over his face, groaning deeply. “I’m sorry you heard that, Rosalie. It’s not fake. It was never fake. Fuck, I wish you could have heard the rest of the conversation.”

My heart thumps at his words. “What do you mean?”

“I was talking to my sister,” he says. “Grandpa told her about our relationship and she called me for details. I told her how it started—a fake relationship with some girl I met by chance outside a candy store. But then I said everything changed. My feelings for you, Rosalie…they’re real. Hell, I think they were realfrom the minute I met you, when you were still just a stranger.” He reaches out to stroke my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin. “I love you, Rosalie. That’s what I told my sister. I told her I’m completely fucking in love with you.”

It feels like all the air has been sucked from the room. My head is spinning as I process Boone’s words, and I can see the truth in his eyes. They’re glistening with emotion.

“And even if you don’t feel the same way,” he continues, “I’ll still give you the money for your store. I care about you, sugar, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you get to keep this place.”

All I can do is gawk at him for a moment.

He loves me.

How could I have gotten it so wrong?

My heart leaps as reality finally sinks in, and I throw my arms around Boone’s neck, melting against his powerful chest.

“I love you too, Boone. I love you so much.”

He smells familiar—whiskey and pine—and I drink him in, squeezing him tight. The misery I’ve been feeling all morning dissolves in an instant as Boone holds me, brushing feathery kisses on my cheeks. Eventually, he lets out a shuddering breath and pulls back to look at me, grinning beneath his beard.

“Well, in that case, sugar…”

I watch in awe as he sinks down onto one knee, pulling out the ring I left behind.

“I want you to wear it for real this time.” He holds it out to me, his eyes fixed on mine. “I didn’t even believe love existed until I met you. But you made a believer out of me, just like you said you would. And now I know love is real, because I love you more than anything in the whole damn world. So, Rosalie…will you marry me?”

It feels like I might burst with happiness. Tears stream down my face, and I beam at him as I say, “Yes, Boone, I’ll marry you. I’d love that more than anything.”

He slides the engagement ring onto my finger, and the world seems to glow all around us as he straightens up and lifts me into his arms, twirling me around. I laugh with delight as he smothers me with kisses, feeling happier than I’ve ever felt in my life.

I’m going to be Boone’s wife.

The thought makes my belly erupt with butterflies. I never imagined our fake relationship would end like this—with a ring on my finger and my future-husband holding me tight. But I’m so happy it did. I can’t imagine life without my handsome lumberjack, and I can’t wait to spend forever with him.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Boone,” I say, beaming at him.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Rosalie.”

And as his sky-blue eyes pierce mine, overflowing with love, I wonder how I ever thought we were just pretending.

EPILOGUE

BOONE

It’sa frosty February evening as I park outside Peak Sweets, my pulse quickening with anticipation. I can’t wait to see my wife. I miss her like crazy when we’re both at work—she’s on my mind non-stop in the forest, and I wish I could spend every second of the day by her side. But I know how happy the candy store makes her. Peak Sweets is her passion, and the store is thriving—especially with Valentine’s Day coming up.

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