Page 32 of Finally Home

As she spoke, each word pierced her heart.

“And if I don’t want to do that? Don’t I at least get a say in the matter?”

She pulled her hands away. “You’re the one who walked away this morning,” she whispered, unable to keep her voice from wavering. She wanted to remain strong in her convictions, but at the heart of it, she didn’t want to see him go.

“You kicked me out, remember? I wanted to try and make things right. To tell you exactly how I feel. You didn’t give me the chance.”

“And how exactly is that, West?” Her eyes locked on his, willing him to say anything to make her change her mind and fall into his arms.

“Damn it, Cami. I love you. I’ve always loved you. You are the freaking sun in my sky. It was always supposed to be you.”

That would do.

West wrapped his arms around himself and rubbed the outside of his arms. “Can I finish the rest of my proclamation inside? It’s balls cold out here.”

Cami chuckled and opened the door, allowing him to step inside.

He loved her.

West pulled her into his chest, and she wrapped her arms around him, encompassing him in her blanket.

Reaching between them, he tilted her chin up. “I can’t regret how everything went down, because it brought me eight wonderful years with Shelby. But I didn’t love Tiffani. She was the mother to my child and wife only in name. She never held my heart. Please believe me when I say a day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t thought about you, or what life would have been like if I came back for you.”

“West, I—”

“I know you believe my life is in Los Angeles, but it doesn’t have to be. I have a few potential jobs lined up in Aspen, and if one of them doesn’t pan out, we’ll figure it out. I’ll help you run the outfitter and retreat center.”

Her mouth fell open and her brows raised. “You’d give up flying for me?” She wasn’t sure she wanted him to do that, but she was floored that he’d even consider it. Flying had been a dream of his since they were kids.

“If it meant I got to wake up with you like I did this morning, before all the bullshit, that is, then hell yes.” West threaded his hand through the curls at the base of her neck, an action that always sent a thrill through her. “I love you, Cami. I was stupid to walk away again, even if I thought it was to protect you. I’d do just about anything for you. All you have to do is ask.”

“I love you, too, West.” And she did. God did she ever. “But next time we fight the battle together. I don’t need you to protect me from the likes of Tiffani. I’m pretty sure I can handle that bitch any day of the week.”

“I believe you could. I’m sorry I didn’t give you the chance.”

“You’re forgiven. But only if you promise to show me every day exactly how much you love me.”

“You don’t need to ask me twice.”

EPILOGUE

WEST

West woke to the sound of his phone buzzing on the nightstand next to him. Who the hell called this early on Christmas morning?

He blinked open his eyes and reached to silence the call, then thought better of it. After the fiasco that played the previous morning as a result of a missed call, he didn’t want to chance a repeat.

He didn’t recognize the number, but it was an Aspen area code, so he answered anyway.

“Hello, this is Weston James.”

“Hi, Mr. James, this is John Sanchez with Mountain Aeronautics. I’m sorry to call so early on Christmas, but I have an offer for you.”

West perked up. This is the call he’d been waiting for. “No, it’s not a problem, Mr. Sanchez. I am glad you called.”

Cami began to stir, and she looked up at him with a questioning gaze. He pulled her close to him and placed a quiet kiss on the top of her head.

“We would like to offer you the job with our company. The only thing is we’re short a pilot and would need you to fly out on a private charter the morning of the twenty-seventh.”

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