Page 259 of Mountain Boss

And because I can picture it too.

Sterling leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Can I tell you another thing?”

I blink through the tears and nod.

His smile is so warm and full of love that I know it’s an image I’ll keep in my mind forever.

“Ben was never just for you.” The dog hears his name and presses his body between our legs. “He’s ours. Our baby. And if you want more furry babies, or human babies, I’ll have as many or as few as you desire. I’ll do anything to keep you. You just tell me what you want.”

I look around at the towering trees. At the snowy mountain peaks in the distance.

I picture the ground covered in wildflowers.

I imagine a herd of dogs.

And maybe one child.

And I feel something that must be joy blossom inside me.

Never in my wildest daydreams would I have thought this life was possible.

Never had I imagined a man like Sterling would be the one to change my life.

I slip my hand free of his grip and place it on his chest next to my other one.

“I just want you,” I tell him truthfully. “I’ll take the rest of it, but I don’t need it. I only need you.”

We exhale together.

The doubt. The worry… It vanishes from between us.

Then Sterling Black’s mouth is on mine.

And I close my eyes.

Because this is it.

The start of my forever.

Epilogue 1

Courtney

Sterling is sittingon the couch, waiting for me to join him for movie night.

Ben is sleeping on his bed under the dining table.

And I’m ready to enact my plan.

It’s been three weeks since the attack.

I’m healed.

That horrible man is going to end up in prison.

The new guy is fitting in great.

And Sterling is still treating me like I’m made of glass.

---