Lone Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #6)- Scarlett Grove Page 0,32

holding back. It had to be said.

“Dylan, I can't give her up.”

“I know that,” he said.

“You aren't upset?”

“I told you. I'm here for you no matter what, and now I'm here for her too.”

“What about us?” She felt so fragile, so stupid for all the things she had said and all of the thoughts she'd allowed to run through her mind. She couldn't ever expect him to forgive her.

“You are my mate. Nothing's ever going to change that.”

She studied his face as he took a bite of soup, not knowing how to say the words that were written across her heart. “You've been so good to me these last few weeks. I never could have expected that. From anyone.”

“It was the only option,” he said.

“I've had a hard life, Dylan. I've never been able to connect with men. I thought I would never want to be with anyone.”

“You don't need to explain yourself to me. It doesn't change anything.”

“But I want you to understand.”

“All I can do is wait for you. No matter how long that takes.”

“That's not fair to you.”

“Fair doesn't matter much. The only thing that matters is what's right.”

She sobbed. Tears streamed from her eyes, and she covered her face with her hands. She couldn't believe what a good man he was. He rose to his feet and placed a warm hand on her shoulder. She turned to him and wrapped her hands around his waist, crying into the denim of his jeans. He sank to his knees, and they held each other. His own tears began to flow. She ran her fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead with her wet lips.

He looked up at her, his eyes full of tears, and she leaned into him, her hands on his cheeks, which hadn't been shaved in weeks. She pressed her lips to his. He pulled her close, his hands cupping her cheeks. They stood and held each other. She rested her head against his chest, his strong arms wrapped around her. She let out a long quivering breath. She had never felt so safe in all her life. This was home. This was where she belonged. How had she been so blind?

“I need to go lie down.” She walked into the bedroom, and Dylan brought the sleeping baby in, too, and placed her in the crib.

“Will you lie down with me?”

He kicked off his shoes and climbed into the bed beside her. Wrapping his arm around her, he held her against his chest and whispered, “She still doesn't have a name.”

“What should we call her?”

“I've been asking myself that question for months.” He laughed.

“I haven't let myself think about it. I just kept telling myself I was going to give her up.” She shuddered back a sob and covered her mouth.

Dylan kissed the back of her neck and held her tighter. Her body was achy and sore from everything it had been through. But Dylan's embrace seemed to soothe all her pain.

“It's time to put that behind us,” he said. “Let's focus on the future.”

“Do you have any ideas?”

“My mother's name was Dawn. That's the name that I always end up going back to.”

“Dawn,” Annie said. “The dawn of a new day.” She turned to him and looked up into his blue eyes. He was the most handsome man who’d ever lived, with the kindest most generous heart.

“I would love to name our daughter after your mother. Dawn is the perfect name. Because this is a new dawn. Because she is a new dawn for me. She has shown me how to love. And you've given me space to learn. Will you ever forgive me for what I've done?”

“I already have.”

Over the next several weeks, Annie and Dylan diligently and lovingly looked after their daughter. Marcy and her friends came over to give Annie a belated baby shower. And the single girls couldn't stop ogling Dylan.

“If you're not sure you want him,” Amelia said, “I'll take him.”

“Not a chance,” Annie said. “He's all mine and always will be.”

“Good for you, Annie. I'm glad you finally found your family.” Marcy gave her a kiss and headed out the door.

Dylan and Annie sat alone in the quiet apartment with all the gifts and wrapping paper strewn about the floor. There was half a cake left and plenty of extra food. She felt so happy and content that she had brought the important parts of her life together. She was finally learning how to let herself let others