Page 27 of Crew

The conversation continued as the herd discussed the party, and Zara smiled. The herd always made her feel so welcome and included.

When the meal was over and they were on the way back to the farmhouse, she and Crew walked behind the others, taking a slow stroll in the dark with the stars lighting up the sky. The only sounds were the crunch of gravel underfoot and the crickets in the grass.

“I really love it here,” she said.

“I’m glad.”

“It’s peaceful, you know? It makes me feel hopeful about the future.”

“What kind of hope?”

“Kids.”

She glanced at him; he was looking back at her with a grin. “I can’t wait to start a family with you.”

“Well, I haven’t been on birth control, so it could happen anytime.”

He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. “Whenever it happens, it’ll be the perfect time. How big should our family be?”

“We’re both only children, so three or four maybe?”

“That sounds perfect. A nice, big family with kids who will grow up knowing how loved they are by their parents.” He paused and she stopped to face him. “You’re so special to me, Zara. Meeting you was the best day of my life, and every day since then, I just fall a little bit harder for you.”

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said.

They kissed and she swore the crickets chirped louder for them.

“I’m not done wooing you yet,” he said with a rough voice when the kiss ended. “I plan to make you the happiest female on the planet.”

“I’m very happy already.”

“Bank on it getting much better,” he said. “I’m a very determined male.”

“I think you’re the guy for the job.”

“You know it.”

They held hands and continued the walk to the farmhouse. Zara was definitely falling hard for her soulmate. How could she not? He was sexy and sweet, but also protective and so careful with her. She knew she’d never have to worry about him breaking her heart or hurting her; he was loyal and caring to a level she hadn’t known existed before.

Someday soon, she knew she’d fall completely for Crew and she’d get to say the three words she’d never said to anyone else before. She was glad she’d saved those words for him. He was worth the wait.

By the time Friday rolled around, Crew was head over heels for Zara and just waiting for the perfect time to ask her to marry him and tell her he loved her.

They hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the other herd, thank freaking goodness, and he was hopeful that Colton had simply been screwing with them for the sake of screwing with them when he went after the stuff stored in one of the barns. Or perhaps he saw all the new security features around the farm and decided it wasn’t worth it.

They weren’t going to let their guard down, of course, but he was cautiously optimistic that they wouldn’t be seeing that asshole or his herd again.

After breakfast, Crew caught Tris as she was working in the laundry room, scrubbing at some paint that Grey had gotten on his work jeans.

“Hey, I need a favor,” he said with a low voice. Zara was on the back porch with some drying screens where she was checking on the mint she’d laid out the day before.

“Of course, what can I do for you?”

“I want to ask Zara to marry me tonight, and I was wondering if you could help me put a picnic basket together for dinner. I thought we could eat on the dock overlooking the pond, and it would be a great place to ask her.”

“Oh, that’s so romantic!” Tris said with a dreamy sigh. “I’d love to help you put something together. Were you thinking cold foods or sandwiches? Or…oh! We could do bento boxes so you only have to open the boxes and you’re not dealing with extra containers.”

“Whatever you think would work best.”

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