Page 118 of Claimed By the Deputies

“Mitch…” I say again because I’m otherwise speechless. After several seconds of silence, I gulp and say, “A thousand times yes, and then a thousand times more.”

Mitch stands up and slips the engagement ring on my finger. The three of them shower me with kisses, planting delicate pecks on the round, soft heads of our children in between. It’s been such a crazy ride but getting here made it all worth it.

“I could pinch myself,” I say with a quiet giggle.

“Let me do the pinching,” Tyler replies with a wink. “The way you like it.”

“Get your mind out of the gutter, man,” Mitch quips. “This goddess just brought our two babies into the world. She needs a breather.”

“That, something to eat, and good news about Hamilton and Wright’s verdict,” I shoot back.

Lucas comes in for another kiss, then shows me his phone. I read a most satisfying headline.

“Guilty,” I whisper, a wave of relief washing over me. “On all counts. It took the jury less than an hour to deliberate. Holy cow.” I look up at him.

“We did it,” he says. “And we couldn’t have done it without you.”

I’m overwhelmed, and Tyler can sense it as he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “He’s right. You were instrumental in our investigation.”

“I enjoyed it, too. A lot.”

“Then you can work with us again, if you’d like,” Lucas offers. “Motherhood shouldn’t mean the end of what could easily be an extraordinary career in law enforcement.”

I stare at him for a few seconds. I had considered the possibility, but I certainly didn’t consider getting an offer after the twins were born. Yet somehow, here comes life again, the universe doing its thing.

“You’re serious,” I say.

“Absolutely. You belong on our team, Tassia. Even if it’s just as a consultant,” Lucas replies. “You’re one of us.”

“There’s four of us and two of them,” Mitch says, nodding at the twins.

“Plus, Danica will gladly babysit,” Tyler adds. “I already got her to say yes.”

“Well, then, I guess it’s settled,” I reply.

I have no idea how it will all turn out. But they’re right. There’s so much love and patience between the four of us. I know it will lead somewhere great, somewhere wonderful. And I plan on raising children who will be proud of me.

Proud of the woman whose past didn’t define her.

It only made her stronger.

EPILOGUE II

TASSIA

Our wedding day isn’t exactly the way I’d imagined.

It’s weird, yet somehow… better.

I can’t marry Lucas, Mitch, and Tyler all at once. The law won’t allow it. But we’re surrounded by good people, folks of Frost Valley who have come to celebrate our union. The new mayor, the new sheriff’s deputies, along with our neighbors and community leaders, all who have seen their town rejuvenated since we removed the Hamilton curse.

“God, you’re a vision,” Lucas says as I walk down the aisle.

“You’re quite easy on the eyes, too, Sheriff Riggs,” I reply.

He looks dashing in his silver and gray tux, perfectly tailored to fit his muscular, athletic frame. Tyler and Mitch stand beside him, wearing sharp blue suits—equally impressive, equally effective on my rapidly beating heart.

My dress flows in layers of white satin and delicate lace, hugging my curves in all the right places. I actuallyfeellike a vision, butonly because I’m about to pledge my life to these three incredible men. The fathers of my children.

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