Page 15 of The Silver Fox Bidder

Lucy.

Myfuture.

I pull back just enough to whisper against her lips, “Let’s go home.”

She grins. “I thought you’d never ask.”

And without another glance at the crowd, I take my fiancée’s hand and lead her out the door.

That’s enough of society for one night.

Because now, I just want to take my future wife home and make love to her. Again. And again. For as long as we both shall live.

Epilogue

Lucy

Thescentoffreshpaint and dried lavender fills the air as I step intoThe Wildflower Apothecary and Gallery.

Sunlight streams through the large front windows, casting a golden glow over the carefully curated space where Tank’s paintings now hang alongside shelves of my handmade teas, tinctures, and soaps.

It’s exactly what I imagined when I convinced him to step out of the shadows and share his art with the world.

But seeing it come to life—seeing him embrace it—feels even better than I ever dreamed.

A familiar warmth presses against my back, strong arms wrapping around my waist, hands settling over my slightly rounded stomach.

“Hello, Mrs. Walker,” Tank murmurs against my ear, his deep voice sending a delicious shiver down my spine.

I smile, leaning into him. “Hello,Mr. Walker.”

His lips graze my temple before he rests his chin on my shoulder, looking out at the shop with quiet pride. “Never thought I’d have this,” he admits, his voice rough with emotion. “You, the gallery, a family on the way…”

I turn in his arms, resting a hand over his heart, feeling the steady, reassuring beat beneath my palm. “It’s real, Tank. And you deserve all of it.”

His blue eyes soften as he cups my face, his thumb brushing tenderly along my cheek. “You know,” he murmurs, his gaze dipping to my belly, “out of all the things we’ve ever created… this baby will be our finest masterpiece.”

A lump forms in my throat, my heart swelling so much it almost hurts.

I laugh softly, blinking back happy tears. “Sappy mountain man.”

He smirks. “Yoursappy mountain man.”

Then his lips capture mine in a slow, lingering kiss, one that speaks of everything we’ve built together—love, trust, a future brighter than I ever thought possible.

The bell above the shop door jingles, and we pull apart just as Stella and Pete walk in, hand in hand.

“Interrupting something?” Stella teases, her eyes twinkling.

“Always,” I reply, grinning.

Pete claps Tank on the shoulder. “How’s the dad-to-be holding up?”

Tank glances at me, his fingers lacing through mine, his smile soft but sure. “Never been better.”

And as I look around, at the store we’ve built, and the love that surrounds us, I can’t help but wonder if the townspeople were right all along. Maybe Iama witch. Because this life is nothing short of magical.

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