Page 178 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“I promise,” he whispered as his lips touched hers with the softness of a feather.

Her arms went around him as she pulled him close, clinging to him. Gratitude washed over him as he held this amazing woman in his arms. She’d been through so much heartache and yet she was still standing strong. Through the window, he caughta glimpse of the sun, which had risen to its full height, shining brightly in an azure sky.

“Look, it’s going to be a beautiful day,” he proclaimed.

Delaney turned to look, a smile touching her lips. “Yes, I’m glad the last of the clouds have finally gone away.”

Epilogue

SIX MONTHS LATER …

The roar of the crowd flowed like lightning through Delaney’s veins as she looked out over the packed audience. Tonight’s concert in Nashville was the final stop of her tour. Fitting that the tour would end in the very town where she’d gotten her start. Her new albumTransformationhad taken off, catapulting her to stardom. And no surprise, her songAbsolutelyspent two months in the number one slot and was still topping the charts.

“You’ll recognize this next song from my upcoming album. It’s calledThe Lure of the Bear.”

Applause thundered through the arena.

She smiled in appreciation, holding up a hand to quiet the crowd. “This song is very special to me and is dedicated to my future father-in-law Wallace Spencer, who happens to be here tonight.”

She looked at the front row where Wallace and Addie were sitting. “Give it up, folks, for my amazing family.” The applause died down as she strummed her guitar, the familiar lyrics flowing like water from her lips. When she sang the last note, she laughed as the crowd cheered. “But wait … there’s more!” She held up her left hand to display the large rock on her ringfinger. “The rumors are true. In a few days, I’m getting married to the most amazing man on the planet, who happens to be my bodyguard.” She looked over to the edge of the stage where Corbin was standing.

A wicked grin curved her lips as she motioned. “Come on out here.”

He frowned, shaking his headno, his lips drawing into a tight line.

“Aw, come on,” she urged. “I wanna show you off. Cor—bin,” she began chanting, pumping her fist in the air. The crowd followed her lead. A second later, his name boomed through the arena.

Finally, he strode out and stood by her side. “You’re in so much trouble,” he whispered, amusement stirring in his eyes.

She put an arm around his waist so he couldn’t escape. “I wrote this next song about Corbin.” She looked sideways at him, wiggling her eyebrows. “So, it’s only fitting that he sings it with me. Don’t you agree?”

“Yeah!” rustled through the crowd.

He laughed nervously. “You wouldn’t.”

A smile stretched over her lips. “Oh, but I would.”

“All right,” he finally said.

“Did you hear that, folks? He saidyes.”

“Under one condition,” Corbin added.

“What’s that?”

“That I get to do this.” In a swift movement, he turned her to face him. His arms slid around her waist as he dipped her back, giving her a long, breathless kiss.

The crowd went wild, but Delaney hardly heard it over the roaring in her own ears as she got lost in the feel of his lips.

When the kiss was over, he set her back on her feet. She stumbled slightly as he reached to steady her. “Wow,” she said quietly.

He grinned, his eyes dancing with a challenge as he leaned in and murmured in her ear. “So, Delaney Mitchell … are you ready for all that lies ahead?”

It was a perfect evening. Her heart soared; a tidal wave of complete and utter love washed over her as she peered into his mesmerizing eyes and saw the promise of many more perfect evenings to come. “Absolutely,” she chimed joyously.

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