Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

K nox

The next morning, the sun rises early over Copper Mountain, the soft golden light filtering through the trees and casting a warm glow over the yard. The air is crisp, the scent of pine mixing with the earthy smell of the freshly cut grass, but my focus is on the truck sitting in front of the cabin.

I stand next to Perry, her hand small but firm in mine as we take in the sight of the restored beast we've spent months working on together. It's still got that old-school charm, but now it gleams with fresh paint, and I feel a sense of pride swelling in my chest. It's not just a truck anymore. It's a reminder of everything we've built, the battles we've faced, and the life we're carving out together.

My fingers tighten around hers as I take a step forward, letting go of her hand to run my palm along the smooth metal of the hood. The warmth from the morning sun has already begun to heat the surface, and I can feel the strength of the machine beneath my hand.

"We did this," I say, my voice low but filled with pride. I glance back at Perry, who's watching me with a small smile playing at her lips, her eyes bright in the morning light. "We made something new out of something old, something broken."

Her smile softens as she walks around to the other side of the truck, her fingers trailing lightly along the freshly painted surface. I watch her, the way her body moves with grace and confidence, and it strikes me how much has changed since the day she first walked into my forge. Back then, I was convinced I'd stay the same—locked up, guarded. But now? Now, I can't imagine a life without her.

"Just like us," she murmurs, her gaze meeting mine across the truck.

I chuckle softly, but there's an undeniable weight behind her words, one that settles deep in my chest. She's right. Everything about this truck mirrors us—the hard work, the patience, the setbacks, and finally, the reward. We've both been broken before, but we didn't just fix each other. We built something new, something stronger.

I move toward her, my steps slow but deliberate, until I'm standing in front of her, my hands slipping around her waist. I pull her close, the warmth of her body sinking into mine as I lean in and press a kiss to her forehead.

"Yeah," I agree, my voice a little rough with emotion. "Just like us."

Her arms wrap around my neck, and for a moment, we stand there, wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world fading away. It's been a hell of a journey getting here, but looking into her eyes, I know every second was worth it.

The sound of the morning birds chirping in the distance brings us back to the present, and I reluctantly pull away, though I keep her close. "Ready to take her for a spin?" I ask, nodding toward the truck.

Perry's eyes light up with excitement, and she bites her lower lip, nodding eagerly. "Hell yes."

I laugh, the sound of it rumbling through my chest, and it feels good—feels right.

"You want to drive?" I ask her.

She shakes her head with a beaming smile. "You do the honors."

We climb into the truck, the old leather seats creaking slightly as we settle in. The interior smells like fresh upholstery mixed with the lingering scent of the oil and grease we worked with for so long, and I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as I grip the steering wheel.

Perry sits beside me, close enough that her thigh brushes against mine, her hands resting in her lap as she watches me with a quiet anticipation. There's something in her gaze that makes my pulse quicken—something playful, knowing. It's the same look she gave me when we first kissed, the same look she gives me every time she's about to push my buttons, and damn if it doesn't send a rush of heat straight through me.

I turn the key in the ignition, and the engine roars to life beneath us, the sound filling the air like a victory. Perry laughs, the sound bright and full of joy, and it's impossible not to smile along with her. I reach over and rest my hand on her thigh, squeezing gently as I shift the truck into gear.

We pull out of the driveway, the tires crunching over the gravel, and I steal a glance at Perry. She's watching the road ahead, her hair catching the sunlight and her lips still curved in that soft, content smile. I don't think I've ever seen her look so at peace, and something inside me settles at the sight.

As we drive down the winding road that leads away from the cabin, I feel the weight of everything we've been through lift from my shoulders. The wind blows through the open windows, carrying with it the fresh scent of the forest, and for the first time in a long while, I feel... free. Not just from the past, but from the fear that used to grip me, the fear of losing control, of letting someone in.

Perry leans her head back against the seat, closing her eyes for a moment as she breathes in the mountain air. "This feels right," she says softly, almost to herself.

I nod, my hand still resting on her thigh. "It does."

We drive in comfortable silence for a while, the road stretching out before us like a promise. The truck handles smoothly, the result of all those long hours we put in, working side by side, covered in grease and sweat but always in sync. It's not just a machine—it's a symbol of everything we've fought for, everything we've built.

I glance over at her again, my heart swelling with a sense of pride, not just in the truck but in the life we've created together. She catches me looking and raises an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"What?" she asks, her tone playful, but there's a softness beneath it, a tenderness that makes my chest tighten.

I shake my head, unable to keep the smile off my face. "Just thinking how damn lucky I am."

She rolls her eyes, but her smile widens, and she reaches over to take my hand, lacing her fingers through mine. "You're not so bad yourself, Steele."

Her hand is warm in mine, her touch grounding me in a way that nothing else ever has. I've spent most of my life trying to keep people at arm's length, afraid of getting hurt again, but with Perry... I don't feel that fear anymore. All I feel is a certainty that she's the one person I'm meant to hold onto.

The road curves ahead, and as we continue down the path, the mountains rising up around us like silent witnesses, I know without a doubt that this—this right here—is what I've been missing. Not just the truck, not just the cabin, but her. Perry. The woman who walked into my life and turned everything upside down, only to help me see that what we've built together is stronger than anything that's come before.

We pull over to the side of the road, the truck rumbling to a stop as I turn off the engine. The silence that follows is peaceful, the kind that settles deep in your bones and reminds you that, sometimes, it's the quiet moments that matter the most.

Perry turns to me, her eyes searching mine, and I know she feels it too. This isn't just the end of a project—it's the beginning of something new. Something lasting.

I reach over, cupping her face in my hand, my thumb brushing over her cheek. "I love you," I say, the words coming easily now, without the weight they once carried.

She smiles, leaning into my touch, her eyes shining. "I love you too."

And in that moment, sitting in the truck we rebuilt together, I know we've not only restored something old but created something new—something stronger, something unbreakable.

Together.