Page 94 of Awakening the Sheriff

continually up the shores,

I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands as directed to

me whispering to congratulate me,

For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover

in the cool night,

In the stillness in the autumn moonbeams his face was inclined

toward me,

And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was

happy.”

His voice carried the poem like a gentle breeze, the words dancing through the air, finding their way directly into my soul. We all listened intently, spellbound. As the final words of Whitman’s poem echoed, a collective awe settled over us like a soft blanket. The warmth in their eyes, the gentle smiles on their faces, it was as if Keaton had captured a piece of magic and shared it with all of us.

“Wow.” Tiago broke the silence. “That was…I didn’t know poetry could be like that.”

“Neither did I,” Tomás admitted. “Maybe we’ve been missing out all these years, huh?”

“Or maybe we just needed the right person to show us the way.” Marnin shot an appreciative glance at Keaton.

“Thanks, guys,” Keaton said, a touch of color rising on his cheeks. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Look at you, bringing poetry to the masses.” I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Apparently, I can’t resist falling for a certain sheriff,” he shot back, looking at me with a warmth that made my heart swell.

The conversation continued to flow around us, but I couldn’t help getting lost in thoughts of gratitude for this man who had changed my life in ways I never could have predicted. To think that just a short while ago, I had been convinced I was destined for a life of loneliness and mere contentment. Now I couldn’t imagine a future without Keaton by my side.

Later that night, after we’d made love, we lay in bed, the moon casting a silvery glow through the window, illuminating the room in a gentle haze and illuminating Keaton’s features, highlighting the contours of his cheeks and the soft curve of his lips.

I listened to Keaton’s soft, steady breaths as he slept beside me, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Our bodies intertwined beneath the covers, our limbs tangled together like the roots of an ancient tree. His warmth seeped into my skin, soothing my soul and calming my mind.

“I love you so much.”

Keaton stirred but didn’t wake, although his arm subconsciously tightened around me as if, even in sleep, he understood the significance of my words. I pressed a tender kiss to his temple and sank back into the pillows, continuing to watch him. I marveled at the way his eyelashes rested gently against his cheeks, his mouth curving into the slightest hint of a smile. And there, in the stillness of the night, I fell in love all over again with the man who had captured my heart so completely.

“Hey,” Keaton murmured as he slowly opened his eyes. “What are you doing?”

I brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “Just looking at the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” He chuckled softly and leaned in for a tender kiss. Our lips met in a slow, unhurried dance.

“Remember that day we went hiking?” I traced lazy circles on his chest with my finger.

“Tell me,” Keaton said, his eyes shining with curiosity and love.

“We were standing on this rocky outcrop overlooking the canyon, and the sun was setting. You turned to me with this incredibly bright smile, and it was like the whole world just…stopped. I think that was the moment I fell in love with you.”

Keaton let out a dreamy sigh, his eyes drifting closed again. “You know when I fell for you?”

“Hmm?”

“The first time I walked into your office, and you stood there, practically bursting out the seams of your uniform. You were so hot…and then so kind. I was a mess, and you were my anchor.” His blinks became slower and slower as he drifted into sleep again.

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