Page 134 of The Hero Within
"You think you're telling me something I don't know? She can't cook for shit, and I know who's going to be doing the housework around here. She can hold a mean grudge, and she doesn't like swearing. I mean, who the fuck doesn't like swearing? I also have the feeling I'm going to be looking at lists for the rest of my life, but she might have to compromise there, because I don't do lists."
I didn't do forever either.
Until now. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.
McClain glowered. "You'll protect her?"
"With my life," he said fervently.
"And you'll never betray her?"
"I'd rather cut off my own hand. I'll love her, McClain, until the day I die. I'll remind her to eat when she gets lost in her thought processes, I'll help her set up her new clinic in Haven, I'll try to ignore the fact she snores like a train—"
"Good luck with that." The first flicker of a smile crossed McClain's hard mouth.
"I'll even put up with her overbearing, arrogant older brother, and that's almost a deal breaker."
The smile died and McClain stared at him flatly for a long moment. Then he sighed. "I'll accept this on one condition...."
"Which is?"
McClain hefted the ax. "You don't ever call me 'brother' again."
Johnny grinned.No promises. "So about her hand in marriage...?"
"Don't push your luck." McClain picked up the ax, resting it on his shoulder.
Epilogue
Three months later...
Butterflies racedthrough Eden's abdomen, leaving her slightly breathless.
"I just don't see what all the rush is about," Adam grouched.
"What's the point in waiting?" she asked. "There's not a single doubt in my mind about this, and Johnnydidask." The day he'd produced a ring for her was possibly the second happiest of her life, only slightly behind the day she'd rescued him from the Confederacy. Eden glanced down, staring at the plain gold band. "I can't believe I'm getting married."
"I can't believe you're getting married either. This collar's too tight," Adam complained, tugging at it.
Eden examined the buttons, smoothing the collar against his tanned skin. "It's fine. Leave it alone. You look very handsome in your shirt and jeans, and I'm sure Mia will drag you off somewhere to show you how much she appreciates it later."
"And you look stunning." He sighed. "I admit it. You're glowing. You're going to be the most beautiful bride."
There might be a reason for that....
"You're okay with this?" she asked softly.
Adam brushed one of her curls off her face, his expression implacable. "Eden, Colton asked me for your hand in marriage every day for the last three months. I'm okay with it. I finally gave in last week when he hinted he'd prefer if his children had his last name too, and you guys were maybe thinking about getting started on that."
Her hands splayed across her abdomen instinctively. "Uh, about that...."
Adam's gaze sharpened. "Edie?"
Another breathless shiver of nervous excitement went through her. It had been their little secret for the past two months, and she'd been worried how Adam would take this. "You're going to be an uncle... in about six months’ time."
Apparently there'd been a little side effect from that night in Shadow Rock, if she had her timing correct. Blame it on the kaga. Although she'd had her birth control booster a couple of months before, she'd forgotten about the effect of the antibiotics.
The color drained out of his cheeks.
