Page 33 of One Heated Summer

“Always, darlin’.” Jensen leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. “I love you.”

I’d never get tired of hearing him say he loved me and would be forever grateful that he was mine.

Six weeks later.

I was excited that the cast was coming off my ankle. Doctors said both it and my shoulder had healed surprisingly well but I’d still need some physical therapy on the ankle after having the movement restricted for so long. I was finally on the mend, both physically and emotionally. The weeks following the incident had been a whirlwind of medical appointments, recovery, and adjusting to my new normal with Jensen at my side almost constantly. He’d been my rock, unwavering in his support and love.

Jensen had held me while I cried after reliving my kidnapping and Finn’s threats in a nightmare. He’d listenedpatiently when I’d raged over Finn’s release from a mental health institution, something I hadn’t known about. I’d been told that Finn had become obsessed with making me pay for leaving him destitute which wasn’t true. Finn had full ownership of both our house and the business when I’d left for Texas. It was true he hadn’t profited much after our time together but he hadn’t lost anything like he’d insisted.

I’d learned that after I left, Finn began taking drugs and washing them down with copious amounts of alcohol. It affected his business and in a short space of time, customers turned away, preferring his competition. With the business failing, he drank heavily and turned to drugs, eventually plunging himself into debt. Heavy in debt, both the house and business were seized, past friends and family turned their backs, and he was hospitalized after threatening his father with a knife.

I still had no idea how he’d found where I was because something inside me had warned never to mention the ranch when we were together. Now he was dead, I’d never know.

His parents had traveled to Lannigan to claim their son’s body and had called at the ranch to offer their apologies. I’d always liked the couple and didn’t blame them for the behavior of their son. I’d introduced them to Jensen, who they seemed to really like, and he showed them over my ranch. We’d then gone to dinner before they’d left the following morning with promises to stay in touch.

“Ready to go?” Jensen asked when he entered the living room where I’d been waiting somewhat impatiently.

“Past ready,” I smiled.

Jensen helped me to my feet and out to my pickup—it was not as high as his truck and easier for me to climb in. Minuteslater we were on our way to Lannigan and within two hours, my ankle was free and we were back in the pickup.

“It feels weird…so light,” I said, rolling my ankle around, testing the movement. Or rather, lack of.

“I’m sure you’ll get used to it before long.”

I was preoccupied testing movement and didn’t notice that Jensen had turned toward La Gracious, the restaurant where he’d taken me on our first official date and one where I adored the food.

“It’s a little early for dinner don’t you think?”

“It’s almost 5pm, we can have an early celebratory meal.”

“I won’t say no, I can’t get enough of their Salmon Tacoma and a glass of Wayfarer Chardonnay would be well received.”

Jensen entered the parking lot of the restaurant andpulled into a space.

“Stay,” he barked while he climbed out before coming to assist me to the ground.

“Sounded like you were giving Sheba a command,” I snapped.

Jensen gathered me in his arms and we kissed before he apologized.

Taking my hand, he led me to the door of the restaurant and we entered. The place was unusually dark but Malaine, who owned the place with her husband, stood by the hostess stand piled with menus and wine lists. She gave us a broad smile. “It’s good to see you, Harlyn. How are you feeling?”

I wiggled my foot. “Good now the cast is gone,” I glanced around. “Are you open, it’s awfully dark in here.”

“Of course, let me get the lights.”

Malaine stepped to the door, flipped the lock and turned the sign to closed. It was all very puzzling. She then flicked a bank of switches and the restaurant lit up like a Christmas tree. When I turned around, I was shocked to see everyone from both of our ranches seated at tables looking to where Jensen and I stood. I turned back to ask Jensen what was going on and found him down on one knee. Both hands flew to my mouth and tears burned my eyes as I gazed into eyes full of love.

“Harlyn, you steamrolled into my life and turned it upside down in the best possible way. From the moment I met you…a woman full of snarky attitude, I knew my life was about to change. We’ve had one hell of a heated summer and I can’t imagine being with anyone else. Working side by side with you has put the bounce back in my step and all our men have said they have never known both spreads work so well. When I almost lost you to Finn, I couldn’t begin to think how I’d continue. I love you, Harlyn…yesterday…today…forever. Will you please say yes to being my wife?”

Jensen reached into his pocked and pulled out a blue velvet box. He opened it to reveal a gorgeous gold band with a pear-shaped diamond supported by two silver-colored arms. It was simple but perfect and sparkled beneath the artificial lights in the restaurant.

I nodded as tears cascaded down my cheeks before sobbing, “Yes.”

Jensen slid the ring onto my finger, stood, and pulled me into his arms for a toe-curling kiss while everyone in the restaurant whistled and cheered.

When we ended the kiss, Jensen took me by the hand and led me to a table where an older couple now stood. I knew immediately they were Jensen’s parents. Jensen was a carboncopy of his father and his mother was worthy of the cover of any beauty magazine.

---