Page 86 of Rescued Hearts

She slid her gaze to him. “What do you mean?”

“I bought the building. The shop is yours.”

Her lips parted on a soft gasp. Tears of joy burned in her eyes as she studied the front of the rundown place that was now fixed up with a fresh coat of creamy white paint the color of milk and black trim around the window and door.

When she peered past their reflections in the glass and into the interior, she saw thateverythinghad been fixed up. The scuffed floors now gleamed.

It was executed exactly as she imagined. Several times since Felicity had first suggested the location, she and Honor had discussed ways to fix it up to her liking. Knowing that Felicity had a part in this dream coming true warmed her even more.

“Oh my god. Gray! This is too much. You did this for me?”

“The guys from the vet program volunteered to help me fix up the place. Crew was first in line.”

He waved a hand at the street, and for the first time, she spotted the pickups with the Black Heart Ranch logo on the sides.

“They came to help us unload the van too.”

Her eyes bulged. “Now? I’m moving in now?”

He gave her a nod and then took a step closer. Caught that tendril of hair that she was beginning to think of as his. He rubbed it between his fingers before swooping in to brush his lips over hers.

She sank into the kiss, pushing on tiptoe to get closer and deepen the caress.

“Hey! Save it for later! We’ve got work to do!” came a shout from one of the guys Gray brought to help her.

They broke apart, laughing. When she turned to the men, she greeted each with a smile and a word of thanks.

While they carried everything inside, Honor stood inside her new shop, directing them on where to place the crates and boxes. Afterward, they all stood around chatting for several long minutes until Crew declared it was time for them to head back to the Black Heart.

Leaving Honor and Gray alone.

She stepped up to him and took him by the hand. Then she towed him into what was her new storeroom.

“What are we doing?” he asked as he trailed behind her.

“I want to show you something.”

She led him to the middle of the room and looped her arms around his neck, pressing her body flush against his chiseled one.

He hummed a little sound of appreciation and took her mouth. The kiss was just as heated as it had been at the end of their first date, and Honor knew there were many, many more kisses to come.

Through the ups and downs, she and Gray had each other.

This was the beginning.

The storm was behind them.

What stretched ahead was hope. And coffee with a little sugar.

And mornings filled with warmth.

And nights filled with him.

Epilogue

Late summer had painted the world in amber and gold. The rich colors clung to everything in nature and made the air feel soft. Honor stood beside Gray at the fence, the scent of hay and sun-warmed earth wrapping around her like a warm sweater.

Just beyond the fence a cow and her healthy calf ambled through the tall grass. The calf had come into the world on the night they rescued Honor’s sister. For that reason, Willow had christened the baby with the name Hope. Which was fitting.

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