Page 23 of The Mountain Man's Curvy Bride

“Always,” I murmur fiercely, my arms tightening protectively around her. “I will always find you, Daisy."

A sudden, harsh noise makes us jump, adrenaline surging once more. Steven stumbles into the room, his face twisted in rage and disbelief, eyes wild and dangerous. “You!” he snarls viciously, lunging forward.

Hank reacts instantly, stepping between us with his weapon raised steadily. “Hands up, Steven! Now! You’re under arrest.”

Steven freezes, his expression flickering between defiance and defeat. Slowly, reluctantly, he raises his hands, hatred blazing in his eyes as he glares at me. “She belongs to me. You’ll never keep her, Wes.”

“She’s not yours,” I growl fiercely, my voice unwavering. “She never was, and you'll never touch her again."

Hank swiftly cuffs Steven, roughly escorting him out to the cruiser. As they disappear outside, I turn fully to Daisy, gently cupping her face, brushing tears from her cheeks with tender care.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly, searching her eyes.

She nods shakily, a soft smile breaking through the lingering fear. “I am now. Because of you."

Emotion overwhelms me, my heart swelling painfully. “I love you, Daisy,” I whisper fervently. “And I'll never let anything happen to you again."

“I love you too, Wes,” she replies softly, leaning into my embrace, her body finally relaxing as the reality of her rescue sinks in.

Holding Daisy securely in my arms, I finally let out a shaky breath, the tension of the night slowly melting away. Together, we’ll overcome anything life throws at us, stronger for every trialwe've faced. The warmth of her body pressed against mine is the sweetest assurance of our future together—safe, secure, and filled with unwavering love.

18

Daisy

It’s been weeks since that terrifying night, and every morning I wake up wrapped safely in Wes’s arms, I count it as another gift. Life has settled into a gentle rhythm again, the nightmare of Steven fading into a memory overshadowed by the overwhelming love that fills our little cabin.

This morning, I stand at the kitchen counter, watching Wes move around with easy confidence, preparing breakfast. His hair is still damp from the shower, a few stray droplets glistening on his neck, and I smile at how this rugged, quiet man has become my entire world.

"You’re staring," he rumbles without turning around, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Can you blame me?" I tease lightly, stepping closer to wrap my arms around his waist. "You're very handsome, Mr. Walker."

He lets out a low laugh, twisting slightly to drop a kiss onto my forehead. "And you’re still the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

After breakfast, we take a walk through the woods behind the cabin. The sun streams through the trees, dappling the forest floor with gold, birds singing overhead. Holding Wes’s hand, I breathe in the crisp mountain air, marveling at how lucky I am to be here, safe and loved.

"Thinking heavy thoughts?" Wes asks, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand.

"Just grateful thoughts," I reply honestly. "I never thought I’d find this—find you."

He stops walking, turning to face me, his warm brown eyes searching mine. "Daisy, I don’t think I’ll ever stop thanking God that you found your way here. That you became my wife."

Emotion wells in my chest, making my throat tight. "I love being your wife," I whisper, blinking back happy tears. "I love our quiet life, this cabin, your grumpy moods… all of it."

His grin softens into something tender as he pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me completely. "And I love you, Sunshine. More than I ever thought possible."

There, in the middle of our little forest, Wes kisses me deeply, thoroughly, until the rest of the world fades away. When we finally part, breathless and smiling, I know with absolute certainty that my happily ever after isn’t some distant dream—it’s right here, wrapped in the safety of his arms, in the life we’re building together every single day.

Nothing will ever take this away from us. We’ve faced darkness together and come out stronger, and now the future stretches wide and bright before us, full of promise, laughter, and love.

Epilogue

DAISY

It’s a year later, and life has never been sweeter. I wake each morning to the smell of pine drifting through our open bedroom window, and Wes’s arms wrapped securely around me. His hand rests gently over my growing belly, as if he can’t help but reach for the little life we created together even in his sleep.

I slip from the bed and pad barefoot into the kitchen, a happy sigh escaping me as I run my hand over my stomach. The baby gives a small kick, and my heart swells with joy. I never imagined I could be this happy—this full of love.

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