Chapter 1 Ranger

The sun dips low on the horizon as I pull into the driveway, the familiar sight of our beach house coming into view. I cut the engine and sit for a moment, letting the hum of the truck fade into the background. It’s been a few weeks, this latest security detail taking more out of me than I expected, but knowing I’m home now—knowing she’s here—makes everything else melt away.

I grab my bag from the passenger seat and head up the front steps. The salty ocean breeze brushes past me, bringing with it the faint, mouthwatering scent of something cooking inside. I can’t help but smile.

“Tory?” I call as I open the door, stepping into the warm glow of the living room.

“In the kitchen!” she shouts back, her voice light and happy.

I drop my bag by the door and head toward her, the tension from the job already fading with each step. When I reach the kitchen, the sight of her stops me dead in my tracks.

She’s standing at the stove, stirring something in a pot, her blonde hair swept up into a messy bun. She’s wearing one of my oversized T-shirts, and it falls just below her thighs, giving me a view of those long legs that still make my mouth go dry.

“Hey, you,” she says, turning to smile at me, her eyes bright and full of warmth. “You’re back early.”

“Missed you,” I say simply, closing the distance between us and wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. I bury my face in her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her. She smells like home.

She laughs softly, leaning back into me. “Missed you too. How was the job?”

“Same as always,” I murmur against her skin, pressing a kiss to the curve of her neck. “But I couldn’t wait to get back here.”

She tilts her head slightly, giving me better access, and I take full advantage, trailing slow kisses along her neck, my hands tightening around her waist.

“Ranger,” she whispers, a hint of a laugh in her voice. “Dinner’s going to burn if you keep that up.”

I chuckle, pulling back reluctantly. “Fine. But I’m not done with you.”

Her eyes sparkle as she turns in my arms, looping her hands around my neck. “Promise?”

I grin, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You can count on it.”

We finish cooking together, the easy rhythm of our relationship falling back into place as if I never left. She stirs while I chop, and we talk about everything and nothing—how her jewelry business is booming, how my last job went, and how we’re thinking about adopting a dog once things settle down.

By the time we sit down to eat, the sky outside has turned a deep shade of purple, the first stars twinkling faintly above the horizon. The meal is simple but perfect—grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and a sparkling water she poured just before I walked in.

“So,” she says, swirling her water glass thoughtfully, “how long are you home this time?”

I lean back in my chair, watching her, memorizing every detail of her face. “As long as you’ll have me.”

Her lips twitch into a smile. “Forever sounds about right.”

After dinner, we move to the couch, the sounds of the ocean drifting in through the open windows. Tory curls up beside me, her head resting on my shoulder, and I wrap an arm around her, holding her close.

“This feels right,” she murmurs, tracing small circles on my chest with her finger.

“It does,” I agree, pressing a kiss to her hair.

For a while, we sit in comfortable silence, the only sounds are the soft crash of waves and the occasional creak of the house as it settles. But there’s something in her silence tonight, something thoughtful, almost hesitant.

“Tory,” I say softly, tilting her chin up so she’s looking at me. “What’s on your mind?”

She bites her lip, a nervous habit I’ve come to know well, and suddenly, I feel my heart rate kick up a notch.

“Ranger,” she says quietly, her eyes searching mine. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

I nod, waiting, my hand resting lightly on her waist.

She takes a deep breath, her fingers tightening slightly on my shirt. “I’m pregnant.”

The words hang in the air between us, and for a moment, time seems to stop. My mind spins, processing what she just said, but all I can focus on is the way her eyes are shining with a mixture of hope and fear.

“You’re pregnant,” I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nods, chewing on her bottom lip nervously. “I found out a few days ago. I wanted to tell you right away, but you were still on the job, and I didn’t want to—”

I cut her off by pulling her into a kiss, deep and slow, pouring every ounce of love and emotion I feel into it. When I finally pull back, I rest my forehead against hers, both of us breathing hard.

“You have no idea how happy you just made me,” I murmur, brushing my thumb over her cheek.

Her eyes widen slightly. “Really?”

“Really,” I say, smiling. “I love you, Tory. And I already love this baby.”

Relief washes over her face, and she laughs softly, a sound that fills me with nothing but pure joy. “I love you too, Ranger.”

We sit there for a while longer, wrapped up in each other, talking quietly about the future. About how we’ll turn the guest room into a nursery, about names we like, and about how our life is about to change in the best way possible.

Later, as we lie in bed, her head resting on my chest and her hand over her stomach, I can’t help but think about how far we’ve come. From the chaos of those early days to this—our quiet, happy life.

And now, we’re about to start the greatest adventure of all. Together. Forever.