Page 33 of Tice's Kind of Trouble
“I have some pull.”
She gives me a cute grin. “Man of many talents. I like the ones you showed me this morning the best.”
“Ah!” I warn. “Careful. You’ll wake the beast.”
“Oh no.” She feigns innocence. “It’s a good thing your truck has a really big back seat.”
“Bethany.”
We make it to the table as everyone watches us approach. So maybe we were a little late because I couldn’t stop kissing her. If I have my way, we’ll try out a new position or two in the truck before we get home.
“Chase,” I tip my chin at the 6’4” former SEAL, trying to ignore the heat thudding in my cells. “Excellent work on finding out who hired that idiot. You too, Kane. Can you believe the guy wanted to scare her away so he could turn the rescue building into a gas station?”
Everyone grumbles their disbelief.
I huff out a frustrated sound. “Anyway, you guys showed up right on time yesterday. Thanks for taking charge, my head was…”
“Screwed on sideways,” Chase says in a distracted tone, his attention elsewhere—laser-focused on the back hallway by the restrooms where the exit sign glows in the dim area.
“Everything okay?” Kane asks, cluing in on the thundercloud building over Chase.
“Not sure.” He unfolds, standing to his full height, muscles rippling below his T-shirt. “That waitress—the one who has the flowers tattooed on her arm. I saw something I don’t like.”
“What did you see?” I ask, as I pull out a chair for Bethany.
Chase is already striding away when he calls over his shoulder, “I don’t know. But I’m about to find out.”
TWENTY-THREE
EPILOGUE
Tice
Three Years Later
The overlook was meant for this moment. Splendor all around the most perfect creature on earth.My fiancée.
Bethany stands at the edge of the grassy bluff, her white dress catching the wind like she was made to be worshipped by the sky.
That’s my woman. That’smy wife.I haven’t even said the words yet, but my soul already knows.
Has known for years. But we wanted to wait until the rescue organization was well-established, and she could take a LONG honeymoon where I plan on keeping her naked most of the time.
So now is the time for the day I’ve craved in my marrow.
It’s not a big crowd. Just Kane, Eagle, Chase and his girl, plus a few others from the Teams. Close-knit. Safe. Exactly how I wanted it.
My heart, my Bethany, turns, catching me watching her like a starving man, and gives me a smile that damn near buckles my knees.
I swear the butterflies swoop in to see her better. I know I want to. She’s stunning. Sunlight glints off her hair, and my lungs stop working again.
My walk toward her is slow, controlled. Not because I’m unsure. Because I need to make this moment last.
My boots crush the wild grass beneath me, and every step I take feels like a vow. Permanent. Unshakable.
Her eyes are wet, glowing, sweet. There’s a slight tremble in her hands as I take them in mine.
“You ready, baby?” I murmur, my throat tight with love for this woman.
