Page 101 of Wild Hearts

"I never want to be apart like that again. Will you come with me the next time we travel to Virginia?"

I nodded, happiness overflowing. "I'd love to."

"And spend every holiday with us, taking me and Dakota to see your family too?"

I nodded, emotion threatening to overwhelm me.

"You won't be able to get rid of me now. I'll be with you wherever you go."

He smiled, playing with my hair.

"That sounds like the best thing ever." When I was eighteen, I never imagined that Walker would walk back into my life. That he'd ask for a second chance.

The thought of spending forever with him made my heart beat wildly.

EPILOGUE

WALKER

It was casino night to raise money for the items foster kids needed in our county. Noelle and Addison had been hard at work organizing everything and setting things up so that it looked fabulous, even though they hadn't spent a ton of money.

They wanted everyone to have fun, and the money went to support foster kids. It was a cause most people could get behind, and the Wilde family was happy to support them.

Every Wilde was here, my aunt and uncle and even Killian. He was set up at a table with his foot propped onto a chair. He was sprawled across several chairs, his arms over the backs, with a look on his face like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Noelle was flitting around the room to ensure everything was running smoothly, but one of the times she passed by Killian's table, he snagged her wrist. She leaned down to hear what he was saying, and I saw the frown that passed over her face.

Then I noticed Addison walking toward me, radiant in a black sparkly dress. I lifted an arm to tuck her into my side. "Everything looks great. You and Noelle did a fabulous job."

She sighed. "We'll see how much money we raise."

"The Wildes are matching every dollar."

Addison pressed a palm against my chest. "What?"

I grinned down at her, so content and happy to be here with her. Dakota was tasked with watching Joey tonight, and she was helping him play one of the games Addison had set up for kids. "I said the Wilde family will be matching whatever you raise tonight."

Her eyes widened. "What if we raise a hundred thousand dollars?"

"Now wouldn't that be something? What could you do with two hundred thousand dollars?"

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "That's too generous."

"Nothing is too much for you and Dakota. Don't forget, Dakota was one of these kids who needed your assistance. We'll do whatever we can to give back.”

Addison wiped a tear from her cheek. "How did I get so lucky?"

"I'm the lucky one." I nodded toward Eli who stood at the podium. "The Wildes welcome all of you here tonight. I hope you're having a fabulous time. Noelle Richards and Addison Montgomery organized everything. So please thank them when you see them for their hard work."

Applause broke out.

Eli inclined his head toward me. "Walker Wilde would like to say a few words."

Addison frowned. "What are you?—"

I winked at her. "It'll just take a minute." At the podium, I touched Eli's shoulder as we passed and then spoke directly into the microphone. "We're here tonight because of Addison Montgomery. She's the social worker who advised me that I had a thirteen-year-old daughter I never knew about." I caught my daughter's steady gaze from across the room. "Addison ensured that Dakota was placed with her grandparents until I could bedischarged and move home. But her work didn't stop there. She helped my daughter and me get acquainted. She made the transition as smooth as possible and has made herself available for any questions that arose."

When I paused, I noticed there were a few people with shiny eyes and even tears on their cheeks. Our story affected them. "Our family is lucky that Addison worked tirelessly to unite my family with Dakota. We'll forever be grateful. But there are many more children living in foster care who need your help. Who don't have family members who can take them in. It can be as simple as providing the necessary funds for school supplies, sports equipment, clothing, and food, but you can also go through training to become a foster parent or even adopt. The Wildes are committed to helping in any way we can. That's why we'll be matching whatever is raised here tonight, dollar for dollar."

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