Page 174 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

“And when she says ate the bag...” Declan held up the empty bag, torn to shreds from canine teeth. “She means it literally.”

“Oh, my God, that dog.” Hellcat started to get up, but he held on to her firmly.

“We’ve got plenty.” Rising out of the chair with her in his arms, he set her down and kissed her on the mouth. “I got it.” He got about halfway to the house when a shriek had him turning around, but it was just a couple of the kids landing in a pile and Moto licking their faces.

Booker took in the scene. His best friends in the world laughed and told stories around a bonfire. His daughter scissored her arms and legs as if making snow angels in the grass. And Hellcat was surrounded by friends and family and pregnant with their second child. She looked radiant.

And that was when it struck him.

Why the hell aren’t we married?

A year ago, right after he’d quit his job, Hellcat had started her retreat for musicians, and he’d taken over ownership of the Renegades. He got to work with his friends every single day. He even got to free skate with them a couple times a week.

It had been a hectic time, and now, she was about to bring their second child into the world. They just hadn’t had a chance to plan a wedding.

But the baby would come any day now, so when would they ever have time?

Enough putting it off.

Enough waiting.

The setting sun painted the sky purple and orange, and the evening light cast silver tones in Hellcat’s blond hair.

I’m putting a ring on her finger.

Before he grabbed the marshmallows, he ran up to their bedroom and slipped into the closet. A small section of the built-in cubbies was reserved for his shoes, but he didn’t remember which one held the blue velvet box.

Was it the black dress shoes? He shoved a hand inside each one and found nothing.

Oh, shit.

He didn’t remember. The hiking boots? That would make sense. They were the largest. But no, those were empty, too.

Well, hell.

He’d designed the ring nearly a year ago, and it had taken several months to find the right diamonds—they had to be the perfect quality and shape for the tiered design.

“Daddy?” Stevie stood behind him. “You gots the marshmallows? I’m hungry.”

His little girl had dandelion fluff in her hair and a smear of chocolate on her chin. She looked exhausted. “Come here, love.” He lifted her into his arms and settled in the gliding rocker Hellcat’s family had bought her at the festival that afternoon. It was meant for late-night nursing but was perfect for early-evening cuddling.

He hummed her favorite Lorelei Calloway song, the one that had her dancing across the kitchen while they cooked. Only, he slowed it way down. As he rocked, he stroked her hair, and she let out a satisfied sigh.

He’d done it. He’d been there for his little girl. He’d let her know every day—every minute of her life—she was loved. She was Daddy’s little girl.

With his daughter collapsed against him, he relaxed fully, and that was when he remembered where he’d put the ring. He’d slipped in through the kitchen door, hiked up the back stairs, and just when he’d reached his closet, he’d heard Hellcat calling for him. He’d planned on hiding the box in his hiking shoe, but he’d tossed it onto the top shelf just seconds before she’d found him.

“Daddy?” his sleepy daughter asked.

He would never get tired of hearing that word. “Yeah, peanut?”

“Can I have s’mores now?”

He laughed. “Of course, you can.” But before he got up, he shot Hellcat a text message.

Booker: Emergency in cabin twelve.

He glanced out the window to see the orange flames dancing in the firepit, the kids lying on their backs under a graying sky, all of them holding hands like a human chain, and Hellcat checking her phone. Gripping the arms of her chair, she heaved herself up and waddled over to the cabins.

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