Page 26 of The Minx and the Mountain Man

Reid

The night air is cold and crisp, but I barely feel it. Not with Sadie’s hand wrapped in mine.

We step out of the town hall, the muffled sounds of music and laughter still echoing behind us. Snowflakes drift lazily from the sky, landing in her dark hair and catching in her lashes. She looks up at me with those big brown eyes, her cheeks flushed from dancing, from kissing me, from choosing me.

I still can’t believe she’s here, that she’s mine. I tug her closer, my breath coming out in a cloud between us. “You cold?”

She shakes her head, smiling softly. “No.”

I squeeze her hand and glance up at the dark sky. “You ever seen so many stars?”

She hums, tilting her head back. “Maybe once or twice.” Then she nudges me playfully. “You trying to be romantic, Calloway?”

I smirk. “Is it working?”

She laughs, but it fades quickly as she watches me. Her expression turns soft, a little unsure. “Are we really doing this?” Her voice is quiet, hesitant. And I get it.

I almost lost her because I was too much of a coward to tell her the truth. Not anymore. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “Sadie, there’s something I need to tell you.”

She nods, waiting, always so damn patient with me.

I glance down at our joined hands, at the contrast of her delicate fingers against my rougher ones, and then back at her.

“My mom left when I was a kid.” The words come out steadier than I expect, but my chest still tightens. “She told me she loved me and that she’d be back. But she never came.”

Sadie’s fingers tighten around mine. She doesn’t say anything, she just waits.

I clear my throat, pushing forward. “After that, my grandmother was all I had. She took care of me, raised me, saved me.” A trembling breath escapes me. “And when she died, I told myself I didn’t need anyone. That it was better to keep things simple, to never let anyone get too close.” I shake my head. “I thought if I didn’t care, it wouldn’t hurt when people left.”

Sadie swallows, her eyes shining in the moonlight. “And now?”

I exhale roughly. “Now I know I was a damn idiot.”

She lets out a soft laugh, but there’s emotion thick in her voice.

“I love you, Sadie.” My voice is hoarse, raw. “More than I ever thought I could love someone. And the thought of you leaving? It wrecked me.” I lift our joined hands, pressing hers against my chest so she can feel the way my heart pounds. “You are my home, my heart, my everything.”

Her breath catches, her lips parting, but I don’t let her speak because I’m not done.

I release her hand and reach into my pocket, pulling out the small velvet box that’s been burning a hole there all night.

Then, before I can second-guess myself, I drop to one knee in the snow.

Sadie gasps, her hands flying to her mouth. “Reid—”

“I know we’re already married.” My lips twitch, and a shaky laugh escapes her. “But I didn’t do it right the first time,” I continue. “I didn’t ask you. And I sure as hell didn’t giveyou a ring.” I pop the box open, revealing my grandmother’s engagement ring—the one she left to me, the one I never thought I’d give to anyone.

Until Sadie.

Her eyes fill with tears.

“Sadie Calloway,” I murmur, looking up at the only woman who has ever made me want more, want everything. “Will you stay? Will you be my wife for real?”

She lets out a watery laugh, shaking her head. “You are so damn stubborn.”

I grin. “That a yes?”

She bites her lip, trying to hold back a smile. “I don’t know,” she teases. “I mean, I feel like we should really take our time—”

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