Page 46 of The Fake Fiance's Billionaire Adversary
Holding up his hand, he stopped her. “I’d been trying to buy it. From your perspective, I can see why you would have thought—”
“No.” She stepped closer to him. “I should have trusted you. I should have come to you, told you what I heard, and listened. Instead, I immediately jumped to a conclusion I knew, deep in my heart, you weren’t capable of. You are kind, gentle, and warm. I’ve been freezing to death since you left.”
He took a deep breath. “You think we could communicate better in the future?”
“I know so.” She rushed forward and threw her arms around him. “I love you, Hunter. I love you with all my heart.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he buried his face in her neck. “I love you, Reagan.”
The tiny yip of a puppy made her lean back. The little bark got closer and closer. She looked up at Hunter. “You didn’t.”
His smile was almost as bright as the sliver of moon in the sky. “I kinda had help with all of this.”
A brown Great Dane puppy stopped at her feet, and its little tail wagged so hard it was a whip. She scooped him into her arms, and her smile faded as she saw the collar…and the ring.
When she looked at Hunter, he dropped to one knee. “I love you. You’re the only one I want. Captain and I would be incredibly honored if you’d marry us.”
A tiny half-laugh, half-cry popped out. “Captain?”
“It’s a great name, and because I’m totally in love with you, we’ll go with that.”
Through a haze of tears, she nodded. “Captain’s the name, and I’d love to marry you.”
Hunter stood, unclipped Captain’s collar, and took the ring off. He slipped it on her finger and refastened the collar. “You’ve made the two of us very happy.”
Captain whined, and Reagan hugged him. The puppy licked her face fast and furiously. She giggled as Hunter slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her. A wiggly puppy didn’t make for the longest engagement kiss, but it did make it the best.
“I love you, sweetheart. Home is wherever you are.”
She cupped his cheek. “I love you too, and I feel the same way.”
Epilogue
Eight months later…
Josiah laid his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Relax, bud. It’s going to be okay.”
It had been a hard decision when it came time to pick a best man. He loved all his brothers equally, and he didn’t want any of them to feel slighted. He also had Bandit, Israel, Stone, and Ryan to consider as well. Then there was his dad.
In the end, he’d picked his brother Josiah. It had been a foolproof method. A game of cornhole, and Josiah had won.
“I’m fine,” Hunter whispered back.
“Tell that to your sweaty forehead.” Hunter’s brother chuckled.
“Shut up. It’s hot.”
Josiah grunted a laugh and clasped his hands in front of him. “If you say so.”
It wasn’t nerves that had Hunter anxious. The Wedding March would play any second, and the wind had picked up. Reagan had wanted a beach wedding, and Hunter had made it happen. Now, he just needed the weather to cooperate long enough for him to kiss the bride.
Naomi stopped at the opposite end of the runner and gave two thumbs up.Perfect, she mouthed.
The disc jockey took his cue and started the track. First came Carlin, Reagan’s sister, and then followed Naomi, Kaylee, Gabby, and Carrie Anne, one by one escorted by the groomsmen. Of course, Captain was next with the rings safely hooked to his collar. His ears flopped as he trotted to the front and stopped at Hunter’s feet.
It had taken some intense training to get him ring-bearer ready, but it was worth it. Hunter and Reagan had taken the class together, and they’d learned a lot about dogs and each other.
Finally, Reagan was at the end of the runner, arm hooked in her dad’s. Hunter liked Reagan’s parents. They were definitely different from his, but they were good people.
