Page 109 of Hart of Hope
“I would love nothing more.”
My heart was fully healed, and as we walked outside, I saw more than the fighter she was. I saw a survivor.
Halfway to the barn, Fran came running up to us. “Dad? Grace?”
Duke was on Fran’s heels. The moment he saw his sister, he mouthed, “Thank you.”
Grace wiggled out of my arms. “I’m okay.”
“It’s over,” I said to Duke. “No more worries about Josh.”
Fran hugged Grace. “The girls are safe.”
They both cried, sharing something between them that Duke and I could only imagine.
“All parties involved are in police cruisers,” Duke said. “Lopez, Harris, guards, and the five men that include Grayson. They found Grayson walking on the main road.”
“And Sabine?”
“Her body was found in the bedroom upstairs,” Duke said. “You might want to check your bank accounts. Fran tells me that Josh was planning on draining them.”
I gave him a nod. “I will. Right now, I want to get out of here.”
“Not until the police question us,” Fran said. “They’re in the house.”
Grace came over and hugged her brother. “My past is finally behind me.” Then she walked into my arms. “Brian, I’m so sorry I put you in this situation. I put your daughter in this situation. This was all my fault.”
“None of this was your fault.” I squeezed her to me. “You’re my hero, and I’m so in love with you that I want to marry you.”
She flashed her tired eyes at me. “You don’t blame me?”
I grinned. “That’s not an answer to my desire to marry you.”
She held in a smile. “I didn’t hear a proposal.”
“Dad, ask her properly.” Fran held a fingernail between her teeth. “Ask her?”
“Not the place,” I said.
“Perfect place,” Duke chimed in. “It solidifies the beginning of a new chapter for both of you. And, my friend, don’t sell yourself short. You handled this situation better than I ever would have.”
“I don’t have a ring.” I really wanted to propose in a better environment, romantic and quiet, with just the two of us.
“I don’t need a ring,” Grace volleyed back. “I just need you.”
I placed my hand on my chest as I got down on one knee that sank into the mud. “Grace Hart”—I kissed her dirty fingers—“will you be my partner in crime, the mother of my future children?”
Grace rubbed her lips together. “I would love to have your children—three, to be exact. And yes, I would love to be your equal, your partner in crime.”
I rose and kissed her thoroughly, sweetly, not caring one bit that we could both use a shower. I was overcome with so much joy and knew without a doubt home wasn’t only a place—it was Grace and Fran. It was the children Grace and I would have in the future.
As I deepened the kiss, I felt Grace’s happiness, strength, and love flow into me as mine flowed into her.
After facing impossible odds, I knew from this day forward that our souls were connected and nothing could break us.
EPILOGUE
GRACE
