Chapter 49

My stomach twistsas we pull up to Ganny’s house in Savage’s SUV.

Ganny has no idea that we’re together, and neither does my dad. Technically, the boys don’t know that we’ve decided to move in together. Of course, my girls know and are sworn to secrecy like they are about the pregnancy.

“You sure you want to do this?” Savage asks, a deep crease appearing between his brows. “We don’t have to tell anybody shit today, if you don’t want to. It’s our choice.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. “But I think it’s important that they know the truth. They’re my family.”

“They’re going to be thrilled you’re staying in Heatstroke,” Savage says. “At least they will be after we get back from the South of France.”

My stomach twirls at the thought. It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to go there and see another country. It’s not like we can drink wine, but we can have food, and we can tour the area. And if Savage wants to, we can go up to Normandy in the North and see where the troops landed on D-Day. Military history is important to him.

“I’m ready,” I say.

Savage hops out of the car and helps me out of it. He does that every time, even though I’m capable of doing it myself, but I like it. I like that he cares that much, and that if I asked him to stop, he would.

I take the casserole dish up to the front of Ganny’s house.

We hesitate on the porch. Savage pulls me into another embrace and kisses me gently. “I love you,” he says. “I’m right here with you.”

I kiss him back, and then we enter the house. As per usual, Ganny’s home is filled with noise and laughter, and Fireball’s annoying barking as he and Alex play together. I place the casserole in the kitchen and then head into the living room to find my family.

Ganna and Dad are on the sofa together, chatting amiably. Dad is holding a can of soda, the wrinkles around his mouth and eyes pronounced. He’s smiling more these days, and I’m grateful for that. I thought he would never smile again after Mom died.

I clear my throat.

“Hannah, honey pie, I’m so glad you’re here,” Ganny says, trying to get up.

“Don’t get up,” I say. “I want to talk to everyone.”

“Everyone?” Dad frowns, brushing his fingers through his silver-gray hair. He’s a mirror image of Cash, or what Cash will be when he’s much older, except he’s got Jesse’s height.

“Yeah,” I say, brushing my hands over my dress. “Yeah.”

“I’ll get them,” Savage says.

People filter into the living room. June and Cash, Alex shortly after. Marci and Jesse, hand-in-hand, scarcely able to take their eyes off each other. Belle. Then Leo, who’s wearing a deep frown and keeps glancing over at her non stop.

Finally, all my family is here.

I take a breath.

“I’m pregnant,” I say.

A stunned silence follows.

Ganny’s about to say something, but I cut her off. “Savage is the father,” I say, pointing toward Carter.

He keeps a serious expression, but he slips an arm around my waist.

“We’re moving in together,” I say. “And I’m not going to leave Heatstroke permanently, like I originally planned.”

More shocked stares.

I wait for them to say anything, but before they can, Savage turns me toward him. He holds my hands in his, giving me that genuine, warm smile he reserves only for me.

And then he drops to one knee.

Gasps travel through the room.

Tears spring to my eyes. Is this real?

“Hannah,” Carter says, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing a black velvet box, “Princess. We haven’t been together long, but I have been in love with you for what feels like a lifetime.”

My heart is pounding so hard, I feel like I’m going to pass out.

“I’m not proposing to you because you’re pregnant. I’m proposing to you because I can’t see a future without you by my side, and I don’t want to. I want you to be my woman. I want to protect you. I want to be there by your side as you grow as a person, as I grow, as we become stronger as a couple. Every day I have spent with you has made me realize that life is still worth living.” He opens the ring box. A beautiful diamond ring set in a golden band sits on the cushion inside. The diamond is shaped like a star, and is accented with beautiful red stones. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife, my woman, for the rest of my days?”

Nearby, Belle sniffs and hiccups.

“Yes. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”

Savage lifts me into his arms and buries, his head in my neck, squeezing me to him.

We’re not just together. We’re engaged. We’re going to be married.

Excited hoots and hollers come from my family members. We’re surrounded by arms and pats on the back, and happy laughter moments later. The last person to congratulate us is Cash.

He stands in front of us with his hands tucked into his pockets, scuffing his shoe on the wooden boards. He’s wearing a Stetson today, and he shifts it on his head, blue eyes darting left and right. “Owe you an apology.”

“Who?” Savage asks.

“Both of you. Savage, I’m sorry I doubted you and made you swear not to go near Hannah,” he says. “That wasn’t my place. I thought I was protecting my baby sister, when I should’ve been a better friend to you and helped you work through your shit.”

Savage pats him on the shoulder.

“And Hannah,” Cash says, glancing back at June who gives him an encouraging smile. She’s got her arm around Alex’s shoulders, and the pair of them are gossiping, their blonde heads bowed together. They’re such a mother-daughter duo it makes my ovaries want to explode.

“Hannah,” Cash repeats, and clears his throat. “Shit. Hannah, I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted. I was too overprotective, but it was because I didn’t want to lose you, especially not after what happened with Mom.”

“It’s okay,” I say, and draw him into a hug. “I love you, and I know why you did what you did.”

“So, we’re good?” he asks.

“We’re good.” I kiss my brother on the cheek and then return to Savage’s waiting arms. I can’t keep my hands off him, and his palm pressed to my hip tells me it’s the same for him.

“You two are a match made in heaven,” June sighs.

I look up at him, this beastly man who I believed had no interest in me, who I obsessed over for years. He’s so protective over me, so warm and caring, and determined to do the right thing.

“Mine,” he mouths, brushing my hair back from my cheek.

He kisses me gently on the lips. He claims me as his.

And for the first time in my life, I feel free.