“I couldn’t get the words out. I’ve never said them before, and I couldn’t make them come out when I knew I was going to do the unthinkable.”
He cupped her face and lifted her gaze to his. “If you still mean them, tell me now.”
Everly’s stomach folded. She wasn’t sure if he wanted to use the words as revenge or an affirmation. But either way, she figured he deserved to hear them now.
She covered his hands with hers and braced herself for a variety of reactions. “As much as it terrifies me, I really do love you.”
The words were even more alarming out loud. She’d never felt as vulnerable as she did right then.
When Austin exhaled and closed his eyes, she felt the urgent need to back off and give him a graceful out. An out that wouldn’t rip her heart open.
She leaned away and released his wrists. “I know it probably doesn’t mean much to you right now, but maybe in time—”
“It means everything.” He kissed her again, softer, sweeter.
Bella stepped up to them and wrapped one arm around Austin’s leg, the other around Everly’s. “Daddy, I’m hungry.”
Austin huffed another laugh, this one gentle and real. “I have snack bars in the boat, baby. Just one minute.” He returned his gaze to Everly’s. “Can you stay with us awhile? I mean after we get rid of those animals who’ve taken over my house. So we can hash all this out between us? I want to get right with you.”
Everly’s heart released and opened. The relief was so all-consuming, she laughed. “I want to get right with you too.” She reached down and combed a hand through Bella’s unruly hair. “And last I heard, I’m unemployed.”
He grinned. “You are so unemployed. He must have fired you a dozen times in the last two days.”
“I have that effect on him.”
Austin laughed, and the sound brought so much joy to Everly, her chest hurt.
“I guess I have all the time in the world,” she said.
“Can we go home now?” Bella wanted to know.
Before he released Everly, Austin sighed with a “Yeah,” then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Let’s all go home.”
Epilogue
Six months later.
Everly stood at attention in full salute as the chopper hovered over the open field. The blades thrashed the air into a tornado, but Everly stayed put, squinting against the wind as the chopper set down.
Her chest bubbled with humor. With happiness. With love.
Austin climbed from the copilot’s seat, his jacket and hair whipping as he made his way to her. He stopped a couple of feet away, and the grin splitting his face had been worth bearing the wind storm.
“What are you doing?”
“Sir, Sergeant Shaw reporting for duty, sir.”
/> The chopper’s engine shut down, and the blades whined as they slowed. Austin slipped his arms around her and pulled her up against his body. “At ease, soldier.”
Everly relaxed, releasing her facial muscles to smile at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Austin growled, his hands roaming her back and waist, before lowering to her ass.
Everly reached back and slapped one hand. “Save that for the bedroom, soldier. There are eyes everywhere.”
Austin laughed, lowered his head, and kissed her. Everly’s chest overflowed with joy. It had been only a few days since she’d seen him, but time apart had become more and more difficult.
“When can I get this soldier into bed?” he murmured. “I’ve missed you.”