Page 152 of My UnTrue Love
He cut her off, his face filled with desperate, frantic hope. “Is it real? Tell me it’s real. How did you do it?”
“It’s real. And it wasn’t just me. It was you, too. It wasus. If you consider the lyrics ofCrossroads Coyote, the curse could be lifted when…”
Bill interrupted again. “You lifted the curse?” His incredible voice vibrated with awe. “It’s gone?”
“Welifted the curse. I felt it happen.”
“So did I. I just don’t understand… How can…?” He swallowed, trying to rearrange his thoughts. “Coyotes can have True Loves?”
“Seems so. And I’m yours, Pecos Bill.” She wrinkled her nose. “But are we even surprised? Who else would it be?”
Bill’s legs buckled. He sagged to the wooden floor, kneeling before her. “My own True Love.” He breathed reverently. His arms went around her waist, and he gripped her tight. “You’re really mine.”
“I was already yours. Your wife. Your muse. Your manager. Your best, best friend. True Love doesn’t really change anything.”
“Itdoes.” He insisted, his face buried against her. “It means I didn’t steal you. It means you’ve always belonged to me.”
“Of course I do. Just like you belong to me.”
“I’ve belonged to you from the beginning. But this proves…” He stopped, dragging in a ragged breath. “It proves you weren’t wrong to pick me, as your husband.”
“That’s never been a worry for me. Not for a second. We were made for each other, True Loves or not.”
He lifted his face to look up at her, his eyes damp.
She smiled. “Clementine and Bill.”
“Clementine and Bill.” He vaulted to his feet, sweeping her up in his arms. “For all of ever-after.”
Clem laughed, hanging onto his shoulders while he spun her around. “I hate to ruin this lovely moment, but Ranger’s calling you back for an encore.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
“You might as well enjoy the limelight. After you’re finished becoming famous, we have to go help deal with your father. I just beat him unconscious in the snack room. It’s sure to be a mess.”
Bill pulled back to look at her face. “You serious?”
“Oh yes. He had no idea what hit him. Literally.” She shrugged. “I’m fine. Luke’s fine. Hop’s passed out by the vending machines.”
“Huh.” That meant Bill was impressed.
“I had big brothers.” She reminded him modestly.
“Huh.” Now, Bill was amused. “What weapon did you use?”
“My new boot.”
“Huh.” The sound was smug. “Well, see, darlin’?” He kissed her lavishly. “Itoldyou boots were good protection.”
Epilogue
No mates are there, for cy’ote kind,
Since that singer forsook his,
Now they must steal, until they find,
What True Love really is.
