Home. Such a simple word that held so much meaning. He’d found his home, but it wasn’t in the traditional sense. He’d found it in her. He opened the door and climbed out, offering her his hand. “Yeah. We’re home.”
She slid her fingers into his, grinning as she followed him out. They walked into the building hand-in-hand, and come what may—whatever they might have to face or fight their way through—they could make it.
Together.
Epilogue
Christmas, a year later
South Dakota
Laughter rang out all around the living room’s pale yellow walls, and someone called out bullshit from the dining room, where a rousing game of cards was being waged. If Benjamin had learned anything during his weeklong stay here at Maggie’s farm, it was that her family took competition very seriously.
Even if it was “friendly.”
After the first time he’d beaten her father at cards—and had consequently feared for his life—he decided to avoid those games until he was liked enough not to be shot on the spot for winning. He was already almost there. Her family had greeted him with open arms and warm smiles. It was so foreign. So different. So welcome.
Staring into the crackling fireplace, he shifted his weight on the couch. He’d never been so accepted, so happy, as he’d been this last week, in South Dakota of all places. His “mother” was still a thorn in their sides they did their best to ignore, but being away from her—and all the drama she brought with her—had been paradise.
He almost didn’t want to go back. Life could be good here.
They could take over the farm from her parents and raise a bunch of gorgeous little brown-haired Maggies amidst the crops and the open, never-ending plains. He could be happy here. And so could Maggie.
Someone sat down beside him, and he didn’t need to look to find out who. He’d recognize her scent anywhere. Maggie wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek on his shoulder. “Whatcha thinking about?”
He held on to her wrists with one hand. The other held on to his beer. His heart picked up speed, because he was actually thinking about this. About walking away from their life in New York, and his company, and becoming a fucking farmer. “Have you ever thought about moving back out here?”
“Yeah, sometimes. I mean, it’s my home. Of course I think about it.” She stiffened. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly. He chugged the rest of his beer and pulled her onto his lap. She squealed and threw her arms around his neck. “Nothing’s wrong, and that’s just what I was thinking about.”
She grinned and smoothed his messy hair. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.”
“I don’t think I’d use the word ‘stuck.’ Blessed, maybe.” He nuzzled her neck and breathed in her scent, letting it soothe his nerves. “You make me so happy, Maggie. Happier than I’d have ever thought possible, or even believed in. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
Her gaze dipped down, lighting up with appreciation. She wriggled in his lap, brushing her sweet ass against his hard cock. Around her, he was always hard. Like a fast food joint, he was open twenty-four hours a day and ready to serve her at a moment’s notice. “Watch yourself,” he warned, nipping at her throat.
“I can’t help it.” She trailed her fingers down the buttons of his shirt. “You might not be the beast anymore, but you’re one hot beast in a flannel, jeans, and a five o’clock shadow. Who knew South Dakota would suit you so well?”
He rolled his hips up, his attention on the door to the living room. Maggie’s parents were the opposite of his mother—loving and kind and embracing—so they wouldn’t be alone much longer. “I can show you just how well it suits me, right now, in our room.”
She watched him through her dark lashes. “Oh…?”
“Yeah.” He stood up, holding her in his arms. “I have something to show you outside first, though.”
She blinked at him. “But it’s snowing and freezing.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep you warm.” He set her on her feet and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. His legs felt a little bit weaker than normal, but he ignored that. “Come with me?”
“Okaaaay.” She eyed him as if he’d gone a little mad, and maybe he had. “Let’s go, then.”
He’d spoken with her father earlier today, and it was almost midnight, which meant it was almost Christmas, which made this their official one-year anniversary—and he knew exactly how he wanted to celebrate it. And where.
He threw his arm over her shoulder and led her to the front door, winking at her father as they left. Glen nodded once, and whispered something to her mother—who covered her mouth. Maggie missed all of this.
She was too busy watching him with a wrinkled brow.
“Are you feeling okay?” She stopped on the porch and rested a hand on his forehead. “You look a little green.”