Page 152 of Delicate Escape

I grinned as I keyed in the gate code. “Deal.”

“Love you, Thea.”

My throat constricted. “Love you, too. More than words.”

She clicked off, which was a good thing because I cried at the drop of a hat these days. Something about letting my walls down put me more in touch with my emotions. I guided my SUV down the gravel road, frowning as I saw that there were no lights on in the massive farmhouse. But Shep’s truck was sitting outside.

I slowed my SUV as I caught sight of small lanterns lining the stone path around the side of the house. My heart picked up speed, and I shut off the engine, climbing out of my vehicle and shutting the door.

The lanterns guided my way alongside the beautiful home Shep and I had built together with our blood, sweat, tears, and love. As I reached the backyard, I gasped. In the distance was a glass house completely illuminated with lanterns and fairy lights. A greenhouse. And it was glowing.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I picked up my pace, my sundress ruffling in the warm evening breeze. I had to stop myself from all-out running, my pale pink cowboy boots clacking against the stone path.

The closer I got, the more the tears built. There were lights on every available surface, curling around the framing with tiny, illuminated hummingbirds amidst the lights. And there were so many plants I lost track—vegetables and fruits that I knew Rho had to havea hand in helping Shep pick because not only were they my favorites, but they were also in perfect condition.

And through it all, my eyes came to rest on one thing, mymore. Shepard. He stood in the center of the greenhouse, amber eyes locked on me as I walked toward the door. All the lights made him glow, too, but it was more than that. That light came from within him, too. His love for me, radiating out.

My hand closed around the antique glass knob and twisted, my eyes burning as I stepped inside. A smile tugged at Shep’s lips, only intensifying his light. “You needed a greenhouse to make our home perfect.”

“Greenhouse?” I choked out, tears slipping from my eyes and sliding down my cheeks. “This is a plant mansion.”

He chuckled, that warm, sandpaper tone skating over my skin. “Do you like it?”

“Like it?” I croaked. “It’s incredible. You’re incredible.” I couldn’t wait any longer, I moved into him, my arms going around his waist.

“I’m glad you think so,” Shep whispered, shifting to tug something out of his back pocket. “Will you buildmorewith me? A life. A family. This home?”

He tugged my left hand from around his waist and slid a gorgeous oval diamond onto my ring finger. The stone was just like him and his white tees, shiny silver truck, and innate goodness. It was pristine, sparklinglight. It was just another reminder of how loving Shep had brought me back to life and made me believe in the goodness that was out there again.

The tears came harder, falling down my cheeks. “You didn’t wait for me to answer.”

Shep chuckled again, more of that sandpaper warmth. “You’re going to say yes.”

“Cocky.”

“Sure,” he argued. “Sure of what you give me each and every day. Sure of what we share, what we’re building. Sure that I love you to the depths of my soul.”

“Yes,” I whispered. He didn’t need the word, but I gave it to him anyway.

Shep tugged me to him, taking my mouth in a kiss that put all his words into action and lit everything inside me. When he pulled back, his eyes glowed gold. “We’re going to make a beautiful life.”

“I know.”

He grinned, wrapping an arm around me and guiding me toward the door.

“Wait,” I protested. “I need to see all the plants.”

“That can wait,” he said, his grin turning into a smile.

The moment we stepped outside, more lights came on—lanterns and café lights all around the massive back deck. A strangled sound left my throat as I took in all the people filling the space. Nikki, my little liar of a best friend, grinned and waved. Anson and Rhodes, arms around each other as they took us in. Duncan and Walter stood watching, Mara and her fiancé, Deputy Allen, beside them. Sutton held on to Luca’s hands as he jumped up and down. Cope stood next to them and popped a bottle of champagne as Lolli hooted. Trace twirled Keely, and Arden lifted a glass in cheers. Fallon wiped at her eyes as Kye handed her a napkin. But Nora was already running down the garden path.

She caught me and Shep in a hug far stronger than her small stature suggested she was capable of and held us to her. “Love you both.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek and hovered there. “You’re already family, but I’m so happy to make it official.”

The tears came harder as I pulled back. “Thank you. I can’t imagine a family I’d be luckier to have.”

Shep’s lips ghosted across my temple. “One we’ll choose each and every day.”

I looked up at him. “Easiest choice I’ve ever made, choosing you, Shepard Colson.”

“Baby, you know what that full name does to me. Do I need to take you back to the greenhouse?”

I burst out laughing as I felt the last shreds of weight from my nightmare lift and I finally, fully stepped into the light.

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