a new light. I know she isn’t going to try and take Harrison from me.”
“Then why would you even think about leaving? You love it here.”
“Because of you,” I said.
His eyes grew wide before the smile fell from his face, and it dawned on him what I was trying to say. He looked like someone had just told him that his best friend had died. I hated that it was causing him pain, but I needed him to understand just how much I cared about him and how both of our lives were going to change forever if things worked out.
“I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt you.”
“It’s not that you hurt me, and it’s got nothing to do with Harrison. The fact of the matter is that I care about you a lot. What happens if we don’t work out? Then we are still stuck seeing each other for the rest of our lives.”
“Stacy.” He stepped closer. “I love you. I have loved you from the very first second that I laid eyes on you. Harrison coming into this world was fate, and no one can change my mind on that. You don’t get it, I don’t want to date you, I don’t want to be your boyfriend. I want to be your man forever.”
“What are you saying?” My heart pounded.
“That I don’t want to think about spending another second away from you. The last week has killed me. You and Harrison are all I can think about. When I said I loved you, I meant it. I’ve never loved anyone like I do you, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you that.”
“Oh, Walker,” I whispered. “You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear that. I love you too, and I know that I have for a very long time. I was just so scared, I didn’t know what to do. Can you forgive me for making this so hard.”
He laughed and stepped closer, tilting my chin up, so I was looking deep into his eyes. “You are more than welcome to be difficult for the rest of our lives, as long as I can be right there next to you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I whispered.
Our lips met and an explosion of desire coursed through me as the tears ran down my cheeks. I’d never felt so alive, so in love, so happy before. It had been a rocky road, but with Walker’s hands now exploring my body, I knew that we’d have forever to smooth things out and make our own path. I didn’t want to leave town, and I didn’t want to spend another second without being Walker Wheeler's woman.
When we finally broke apart, people were making their way to the parking lot with the auction now ending. My heart raced when I saw Hailey. She was all smiles as she waved and started walking in our direction. Jackson looked angry.
“I guess I should get used to always having a big family around, huh?” I leaned into Walker.
He pulled me close, gazing down at me again with eyes so full of love I thought my heart would burst.
“Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of time alone later, and every single night after that too.” He grinned.
My heart skipped. “I love you, Walker.”
“And I love you, Stacy. I have, for a long time, and I will forever.”
26
Epilogue (Walker)
“She’s been acting funny all day. I can't figure it out,” I grumbled.
Ma sighed. “What did you do this time? I swear that woman must be a saint to put up with you.”
“Stacy is a saint. Half the time, I don’t know why she tolerates me, to be honest. She’s a damn good woman, but I don’t think I did anything.”
“Are you sure? Remember last month when you bought Harrison that horse?”
I groaned. “He’s a top of the line stallion! A single AI straw from him sells for almost two grand. It was a solid investment.”
“You bought him because Harrison pointed him out at the show and said ‘pretty horsey.'”
My father chuckled.
“Well, he wanted the pretty horse,” I shrugged. “I’ve got a lot of years to make up for with him.”
“You’re spoiling him.” Ma said.
I grinned. “Yeah, maybe just a little. Stacy wasn’t really upset, though. She loves me, shenanigans and all. I just don’t know why she’s been off all day. Normally she talks to me about everything.”
“Well,” dad offered. “Could be that it’s your son's third birthday party, and you’re