Page 105 of Home Town Knight

Her eyes danced between mine. “That is the best thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“So it’s yes? I’m coming with you to DC? Not immediately, but as soon as I’m able.”

She shook her head and closed her eyes, brushing a tear away. “Wait, no. That’s not what I meant.”

I took those words like a blow to the chest. Like she’d reached right in and crushed my hopeful heart in her fist.

Not the response I’d been looking for, andman, did that hurt.

“You don’t want some time to think about it?”

“Owen, I’m not going to stay in DC.” She pointed at the pile of luggage sitting in the corner, which I somehow hadn’t noticed before. “I’m moving back to Colorado.”

It was my turn to be shocked. “What?”

“I decided to give my notice two weeks ago. Publishing the Stillwater story was the last thing on my list.”

“Why? The job wasn’t what you expected?”

“It was incredible. Everything I could’ve hoped for.EverythingI once thought I wanted. But then I met you.”

Gen sat on the edge of the bed. I sat beside her, my breath frozen in my lungs.

“I told you my mom left me and my dad because we weren’t enough,” she said. “She wanted to see the world. Have a bigger adventure than she’d get with us. And you told me, loving someone can be an adventure too.” She pressed her palm to my cheek. “I’m in love with you. You are the adventure I want.”

“Oh, thank the fucking stars. I’m in love with you too.”

She smiled wide, blinking away the tears that dotted her eyelashes.

“But Genny, you don’t have to give up your dream job for me.”

“You would seriously move to Washington, DC, for me? Give up your job as sheriff, your role as a Protector? Give up Hartley?”

“Yes. Took me a while to figure that out, but yes.”

“You would hate DC.”

“Been there. I already hate DC.”

“God, I love you.” She held my face and kissed me. “But that’s not what I want. I don’t need a prestigious byline or to work for a big media company. I actually liked DC a lot, but not as much as I loved Hartley. Not as much as I loveyouin Hartley. This is why I didn’t tell you I was coming to Denver. I was going to pack up the last of my things here and drive to you. Surprise you with my big, romantic gesture.”

“Then I surprised you first with mine.”

“Yep.”

“You’re sure you’ll be happy in Hartley?”

“Completely. I want our life to be there.”

“Ourlife. I really like the sound of that.”

“Me too. I’m going to keep fighting against Stillwater. But I plan to do that in Hartley. With you and the Protectors. I’m relieved you want me there too.”

I held her chin and brushed our noses together. “I promise you, Ms. Blake. The best thing in the world to me will be bringing you home.”

Epilogue

GENEVIEVE

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