Page 50 of Kiss of Fury

“Really.” She nodded.

He let out a whoop and kissed her, long and deep. Happiness vibrated clear through his bones. He hugged her tight then kissed her again until she was breathless. When he let her up for air, she sought his gaze. “I’m sorry I wouldn’t let you explain.”

“I understand. I know what it looked like—and at best, it’s not good.”

“It’s not good, but knowing your targets weren’t innocents does mitigate the situation. I know what it’s like not to have options. If not for Cosmic Mates and Refuge, I would have lost custody. For you to not even have that…” She shook her head. “I had to lie to ensure Brody’s safety, so how can I blame you for your omissions? I’m sorry I wouldn’t listen to you.”

“It’s over now.” He felt like for the first time the slate had been wiped clean, and he’d gotten a genuine fresh start. He didn’t deserve it and would never take his second chance for granted. He vowed that if a situation arose, and he could help, he would pay it forward.

“Do we tell Brody?” he asked.

“When he’s older. He adores you. He asked about you all night long. He would be over the moon to learn you’re a cyborg, but he wouldn’t be able to keep the secret. When he’s mature enough to understand what’s at stake, then I would like to tell him.”

“Fair enough.” He kissed her.

“I should pop in at the school and tell Brody you’re home,” she said.

Home. I am home.

“Do you have to go to work today?” A suggestive gleam glinted in her eyes.

Desire stirred immediately. “Don’t you?”

“It’s been slow at the infirmary. I think Dr. Twygg would give me a mental health day.”

“Steel would cover for me.”

“Can you get a conveyance?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Another naked picnic at the hot spring?”

Holding her tight, he leaped out of the chair. She squealed and then laughed. He set her on her feet, letting her slide down his body. He stared into her eyes. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Everyone deserves a chance to be happy,” she said. “This is ours.”

Hand in hand, they left the cabin.

Epilogue

Two years later

With baby Grace on her hip and Brody trotting at her side, Verity strode to the paddock fence. Inside the enclosure, Fury galloped across the field on Annie Oakley. Poetry in motion, he and the animal moved as one. It was a pleasure to watch him ride the surprisingly graceful beast.

In the two years at Haven Ranch, Mike and Steel had trained five young hornigers to take the saddle, but Mike seemed to have a special relationship with Annie. Unable to tame Demon enough to ride, they’d admitted defeat and focused solely on training the calves. Being able to ride the animals and use them for transport had improved ranch life.

“I can’t wait until I can ride!” Brody said. They’d promised him riding lessons on his next birthday.

“An-an!” Fourteen-month-old Grace waved her tiny fist. “An-An!” The animals fascinated her, too. Her first word had been Annie. Second was Da. “Ma-ma”Verity might have felt slighted to be third on the list, except every dawn brought greater joy.

Every day, she thanked her lucky stars she’d given Mike a chance. Life was complicated, messy, and uncertain. It would be nice if right and wrong and good and bad were as stark and simple as black and white, but that wasn’t the case. There were no certainties—except for one.

Her husband was the sweetest, kindest, gentlest man alive, and they loved each other and their family to the ends of the universe. She shuddered that someone of his vulnerable nature had been forced to kill. She could only guess at the invisible scars left on his psyche. Occasionally, he suffered nightmares.

Every day, every moment, in word and deed, she reminded him how much she loved him.

Mike and Annie turned, and he spotted them.

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