Page 129 of Need You
Epilogue
“What do you think?” Smiling, Delaney stared at the company’s new logo on her computer screen.
“You sure you want to go with that name?” Colt gazed over her shoulder as he rubbed her back.
“Of course I am. I picked it.” The new brand: Colt and Delaney. It was perfect because they were perfect. And in her heart of hearts, she knew Colt would never take her name.
“Then I think it’s great. We’ll celebrate tonight, go to the Indian place.”
They’d been celebrating every night for weeks and Delaney had never been more secure in a relationship. “That sounds wonderful.”
A month ago, she’d found an old John Deere warehouse on the outskirts of Glory Junction and bought the place. With the help of a local architect, she was refurbishing the building and turning it into a combination of executive offices, studio space, and storage for her collections. Karen had found a rental in town and was busy recruiting warehouse workers.
Relocating the company to Glory Junction had been an unintentional PR boon. The media had latched on to the story, lauded Delaney for staying true to her outdoorsy inspired designs by living the country life. In fact, instead of having her garments made overseas, Delaney had vowed to manufacture every piece, including her shoes and handbags, right in the USA. She’d already created a hundred new jobs in Glory Junction.
TJ had set up the retail division of GA and Delaney’s adventure wear was blowing off the shelves.
“Honey, you’re gonna go blind staring at that logo so long,” he said.
“I’m just so happy.” She turned around, pulled Colt’s face lower, and gave him a kiss. “Aren’t you going to be late?”
“Jack and I are meeting with Rita at city hall, so I’ve got a few minutes.” He pulled her out of the chair.
Rita had browbeaten Colt into rescinding his resignation. Colt, being the smart man he was, had recognized his advantage and persuaded her and the rest of the council to approve the budget for a new command-staff position. As soon as they made the hire he’d get two days off a week like a regular person.
“I don’t think we have time for what you have in mind,” she said.
“Yeah, and what is it that I have in mind?” He looked down the plunging neckline of her nightgown, grabbed her hand, and dragged her out of the studio.
She thought that he would continue to the bedroom and was surprised when he tugged her downstairs. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
When he started for the front door, she protested. “We’re not dressed.” He at least had on a pair of Colt Cargos but was naked from the waist up.
He grabbed a throw blanket off one of the sofas and draped it over her shoulders. “Come with me.”
She was too curious not to follow. A blast of cold air hit her as she trailed after him across the deck in her feather mules, and she pulled the blanket tighter. “Colt? What’s that in your yard?”
“It’s a Bobcat skid-steer loader.”
He waltzed her to where the behemoth was parked.
“Why? Why is it in the middle of your yard?” The tractor was an eyesore. “And where did it come from?”
He shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “My dad knew a guy.”
Impatient while she tried to keep up with him in her high-heeled slippers, he picked her up and carried her like a bride.
“This some kind of new adventure thing?” she asked, baffled by what they were doing here.
“Nope.” He put her down next to the Bobcat. “I’m planning to clear us a second parking space on the easement road. Pave it in time for winter.”
“That’s great.” They’d talked about it, especially with the snow coming. “Any particular reason you wanted me to get up close and personal with heavy machinery?”
“I just thought we should come out here where it all started.”
“What started?”
