Page 103 of Bravo

He smiles and steps closer. “Leave anything for anyone else?”

“I like to be busy.”

He closes the distance between us, so I stand. His hands go to my hips. “Something I relate to all too well. It’s Kennedy, right?”

“That’s right,” I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck and stretching up to press my lips to his. It feels like lifetimes ago I was desperate to hear him say my real name.

I know that I’ve only known Bradyn Hunt for the span of a few weeks, but it feels like we were made for each other. Like there’s been something missing from my life until the moment he walked into it.“Why are you up this early?”

“I don’t mind the dark,” he whispers against my lips then kisses me again before pulling back. “I like to catch the sunrise.”

“Sounds peaceful.”

“It is,” he replies. “Feel like joining me this morning?”

I smile against his lips. “It doesn’t sound like a two-person job.”

“No, but the company would be nice. And the view is just breathtaking.” He kisses me again, passionately stealing my breath here on his mother’s porch. I lose the ability to think, to breathe, when his mouth is on mine.

Desire hums in my veins. This man undoes me. And now that we have forever ahead of us, I can’t wait to see where God leads us.

“See, breathtaking,” he says, tone low and husky.

I pull back and stare up into his gorgeous hazel eyes. “I couldn’t agree more.”

EPILOGUE: BRADYN

I’ve faced down enemies on the battlefield that would terrify even the most conditioned soldiers.

I’ve fought, bled, and nearly died. And I did it all without so much as a single anxiety-ridden moment.

But this evening, as I make my way up toward the large barn decorated for the town’s summer kick-off potluck and dance, my stomach is a pit of nerves. Dressed in my nicest jeans and button-down shirt, a cowboy hat on top of my head, I stop right in front of the door.

The music is loud enough that I can hear it clearly, and I know she’s in there. Like a moth drawn to the flame, I can feel her. My love. My Kennedy.

Reaching down, I pat the box tucked away in my pocket.

“You look positively terrified, big brother.”

I turn as Lani steps up beside me, already dressed for the dance in a light blue dress and cowgirl boots. “What are you doing out here?”

“Needed some air for a minute. I tried to wave you over to the picnic tables, but you weren’t paying attention to anything but the barn.” She laughs, gesturing to where she was sitting off to the right.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” She bumps me with her shoulder. “She looks beautiful tonight. Radiant.”

“She always looks beautiful.”

“True, but I thought my repeating it would help you get through the door.”

I laugh. “That obvious?”

“You’re standing here staring at it as though you expect it to open by itself.”

“I’m nervous.”

“You don’t need to be. You know she’s going to say yes.”

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