Page 43 of Max Bannon

“You really think I could sleep on some fancy hotel mattress while you were out here swinging bats and holding it all together?”

I laughed into his shirt, already crying again. “You said you wouldn’t come back until the job was done.”

“It is,” he said, setting me down and brushing the hair from my face. “You’rethe job now.”

I kissed him then. Hard. Fierce. Grateful.

And when we pulled back, slightly breathless, he smiled that boyish grin that never failed to undo me.

“I brought cannoli,” he said. “And I’m not above using dessert to make you let me stay forever.”

“Max,” I whispered, cupping his cheek, “you didn’t need to bring cannoli.”

He leaned in close, eyes locked on mine. “No?”

“No. You already brought you.”

The B&Bsmelled delicious. Max had insisted on cooking, refusing to let me lift a finger. Dad and Jake were visiting. They camped out at the table, arguing over who made the bettercampfire chili while Goose lay under the table with a rawhide like a king.

My Dad brought Stella, and she was so big that Goose didn’t have a chance of getting the dog bed, until Stella went to sleep and Goose snuggled up next to her.. I was so happy to see her.

And then there wasNate—Max’s teammate. He was new to me; he had been away on an assignment somewhere. He was Eloise’s brother.

He was tall, built like a wall with a crooked grin and a dimple he probably used to get out of speeding tickets. He’d shown up with a six-pack of beer and a lopsided apple pie that looked like it had barely survived the drive. He had a cabin within walking distance.

Dinner was filled with warmth and laughter. Nate told stories that nearly made my dad cry, and my brother laughed and shook his head.

I watched Max when he didn’t know I was watching. He moved through the kitchen like he had been cooking his entire life. He would glance at me and smile, sometimes he would walk over and kiss me.

Like I was everything.

I wish my mom and Cassie could have met him. They would have loved him.

After pie, Max stood up and cleared his throat. “Mind if I borrow Tessa for a second?”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “As long as she comes back.”

Max took my hand and led me outside. The night was clear and cool, the stars blinking overhead like they knew something was about to happen.

He stopped beneath the tree near the porch.“I had a hundred ways I thought about doing this,” he said. “Fancy places. Big gestures. But none of that’s us.”

My heart skipped. “Max…”

He smiled, eyes crinkling at the corners. “I came home early because I couldn’t stand the idea of you scared and alone. But I also came home because this is where I belong. You’re where I belong.”

He dropped to one knee, pulled out a ring that looked more like love than jewelry, and looked up at me with nothing but certainty in his eyes.

“Tessa Swindle… will you marry me?”

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring everything but him.

“Yes,” I whispered. “Yes, Max. A thousand times, yes. I was crying; I was so happy. I looked at my Dad and knew Momma and Cassie were in his thoughts, too.

Max stood, wrapped me in his arms, and kissed me like we had all the time in the world. The kind of kiss that promised forever.

From the cabin came loud whooping—Nate, of course—and a very unhelpful “About time!” from my dad, before he pulled me in his arms.

Max laughed against my lips. “Remind me to elope with you.”

---