________________
* * *
“Reid, I can’t believe you did this.”
“Uh, Bucky did.”
“Okay. Bucky. Such a clever boy.” She met his gaze, her silver-gilded eyes wet with emotion. “And—oh my God, a ring as well.”
While she had been reading, he had brought out a box. “It’s Edie’s. She wanted you to have it anyway and she said she’d be fine with you getting something else for an engagement, but I thought, maybe? I had it resized.”
“I love it,” she gasped, removing it from the velvet bed. A pear-shaped sapphire that Edie insisted matched Reid’s eyes (he had rolled those eyes on hearing that), the ring’s vintage setting sparkled in the April sun. Beautiful, but not a patch on the vision before him.
“Let me.” He placed it on the third finger of her left hand, relieved that it fit. She didn’t wear jewelry so he’d had to measure with a piece of string one night while she slept.
“I can’t wait to be your wife, Reid Durand.” She gave Bucky a rub. “You know I’m already your mom, Buck, but it never hurts to make it official.”
“I like it official,” Reid said, knowing he would get her signature on that adoption agreement before they left this beach. He was a bit of a stickler for that kind of thing.
“Love you, Coffee Shop Girl.”
“Love you, Hot Jerk.”
They kissed, sealing the deal on the patch of land that had brought them all together and watched as Bucky chased an imaginary foe through the dew-dotted grass.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed Reid, Kennedy, and of course, Bucky. Please leave an honest review on your favorite book platform. I would so appreciate it.
I wrote a bonus epilogue for these two! Exclusive to newsletter subscribers, it’s available only at this special link: Get the DEAR ROOMIE Bonus Epilogue now.
Ready for more Rebels? Goalie Erik “Fish” Jorgenson finally gets his shot at love but first he needs to figure out what he did to offend Casey! Find out in a special holiday novella, REBEL YULE.
Missed one of the Rookie Rebels? Make sure you’re all caught up with Levi, Theo, Gunnar, and Cal. The first book in the series, GOOD GUY is free.
New to the Chicago Rebels world? Meet the original crew! Three estranged sisters inherit their late father’s failing hockey franchise and are forced to confront a man’s world, their family’s demons, and the battle-hardened ice warriors skating into their hearts. Start right now with the free prequel, IN SKATES TROUBLE.
Finally, to stay in touch about new releases, sales, and what I’m working on, sign up for my newsletter or join my reader group, Kate’s Kittens on Facebook.
Song of the Open Road
Walt Whitman
Listen! I will be honest with you,
I do not offer the old smooth prizes
But offer rough new prizes
These are the days that must happen to you:
* * *
You shall not heap up what is called riches,
You shall scatter with lavish hand
All that you earn or achieve.
* * *
However sweet the laid up stores,
However convenient the dwelling,
You shall not remain there.
However sheltered the port,
However calm the waters,
You shall not anchor there.
However welcome the hospitality that welcomes you,
You are permitted to receive it but a little while.
* * *
Afoot and lighthearted, take to the open road
Healthy, free, the world before you
The long brown path before you,
Leading wherever you choose.
* * *
Say only to one another:
Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money;
I give you myself before preaching and law:
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Kristi Yanta, editor-extraordinaire, who always manages to take my word lump and figure out what I’m trying to do. I couldn’t do this without you.
Thanks also to copyeditor Kim Cannon and Michele Catalano, my cover designer.
To my agent, Nicole Resciniti, thanks for another great year.
Thanks to my ARC readers, favorite bloggers, and especially Kate’s Kittens, who have read every book and cheered on the Rebels. Your support means the world to me.
And finally, Jimmie, thanks for everything.
About the Author
Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary featuring strong heroes and amazing women and men who can match their guys quip for quip.
Also by Kate Meader
Rookie Rebels
GOOD GUY
INSTACRUSH
MAN DOWN
FOREPLAYER
DEAR ROOMIE
REBEL YULE
* * *
Chicago Rebels
IN SKATES TROUBLE
IRRESISTIBLE YOU
SO OVER YOU
UNDONE BY YOU
HOOKED ON YOU
WRAPPED UP IN YOU
* * *
Laws of Attraction
DOWN WITH LOVE
ILLEGALLY YOURS
THEN CAME YOU
* * *
Hot in Chicago
REKINDLE THE FLAME
FLIRTING WITH FIRE
MELTING POINT
PLAYING WITH FIRE
SPARKING THE FIRE
FOREVER IN FIRE
COMING IN HOT
* * *
Tall, Dark, and Texan
EVEN THE SCORE
TAKING THE SCORE
ONE WEEK TO SCORE
* * *
Hot in the Kitchen
FEEL THE HEAT
ALL FIRED UP
HOT AND BOTHERED
* * *
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