Epilogue

One Week Later

Clint and Lily walked hand in hand across the empty parking lot and onto the dock. Dusk was fast approaching and thankfully the lake was quiet a couple days after Labor Day. Clint stopped on the dock and turned her toward him.

“I have you to tell you, sweetheart, this past week has been the hardest of my life.”

“Excuse me?” Lily drew back and glared at him. “Spending every spare minute with me has been difficult for you?”

His cheek crinkled and his blue eyes sparkled. “It’s not the minutes spent with you that have been hard. Those minutes have been ideal. It’s the ones we’re apart, especially during the nighttime hours.” He winked.

Lily flushed. “You can’t have my nighttime hours, not until …”

He pulled a ring out of his pocket. “Until?”

Lily gasped. Even in the dying light from the parking lot, she could see how gorgeous this ring was. A large, beautiful round diamond set in a thick white gold band. Smaller diamonds descended in the gold band that she thought might match perfectly with the engagement band she hadn’t taken off yet.

“Lily, here on this dock, I made the mistake of almost kissing you.”

“Mistake?” She scoffed, but she was smiling.

“You were still dating my brother and I’d promised my other brother he had dibs.” He shook his head. “Dumbest promise of my life, but thankfully it all worked out.”

“It was dumb, but I love that you are loyal.” She pursed her lips and smiled. “I don’t know if this is the moment to tell you this, but this dock used to be the spot Miles would bring me to kiss in high school.”

“Did you really just …” Clint shook his head and thumped his fist against his leg, but he was smiling at her.

She laughed. “I’m sorry.” She searched for something to say to make it better. She should not have brought up Miles kissing her on this dock, especially at this moment. She and Clint had talked through everything this past week about her relationship with Miles and his with Sheryl, when they first started noticing each other and more. She knew he loved her a billion times more than he’d ever loved Sheryl, and he knew she’d yearned for him most of her adult life. “Do you have any idea how long I had a crush on you?” she asked.

“Tell me again. Make me feel better after ruining our special spot.”

She tenderly kissed him. “I’ve had a crush on you all of my adult life. This spot is only special with you, and the memory I think of on this dock is when you almost kissed me two years ago. Even a kiss on the cheek from you is better than any kiss with Miles.”

“That’s better.” He grinned. “You’re forgiven for bringing up my brother and tainting this moment.”

She could only laugh. She loved how they teased and enjoyed every moment together.

“There’s a very important question I need answered before I agree to marry you,” she added, teased him a little more.

“I’m pretty certain I’ve revealed all my secrets this past week, but ask away.”

“What do you have tattooed on your back?” She was only guessing, but she was pretty certain her hunch was right. She’d wanted to go swimming this past week and confirm, but the weather had cooled off.

He slid the ring back into his pocket, took off his cowboy hat, and slowly, tantalizingly pulled his shirt off. She gaped at his well-defined pectoralis, deltoid, bicep and tricep muscles. He smirked at her and slowly turned around.

Succulent. Just as she’d imagined. His broad back was muscular, tanned, and perfect. On his shoulder blade was one word, Loyal, written in cursive. She reached out and ran her fingertips over the tattoo.

He trembled and spun to face her, catching her hand. “Hey now. No woman can touch my bare back unless I’m marrying her.”

Lily laughed.

He spread his hands wide and the muscles in his upper body engaged, making her mouth go dry. “Only the one tattoo. Loyal has been a mantra for me, and the tattoo is in my dad’s penmanship.”

“I love that.”

“Thank you. Are you disappointed there isn’t more?”

“I couldn’t be disappointed in that back or this chest.” She grinned. “What would you add to your ‘loyal’ tattoo, if you were so inclined to?”

“A lily,” he said. “The most beautiful flower on earth, the scent that drives me insane, and the only woman in the world for me. I am forever and always loyal to my Lily.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “Okay, okay, you can ask me to marry you now.”

“Can I put my shirt back on?”

“Hmm. You might get a more positive response without it.”

He chuckled and shook his head, lifting his shirt back over his head and sliding it into place. “I’ll take my chances. Asking you to marry me without a shirt on feels like something Easton would do.”

She laughed. “It’s a risky move, Sheriff Coleville, covering up that chest. Very risky. It’s in your best interest to display all your assets at this crucial moment in your life.”

He chuckled, put his hat on, and pulled out the ring again. “I think this asset will help.”

“It’s beautiful,” she agreed. “Almost as beautiful as your upper body.”

“Nothing’s as beautiful as you.”

“Sweet words help.”

He took her left hand and became more serious. “Lily. I love you and never want to be without you. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she said just as solemnly.

He slid the gorgeous diamond ring on next to the band. They fit perfectly together.

Clint kissed her ring finger and then wrapped her up and took her breath away with a kiss that sealed them together as surely as the rings she wore and the vows they would soon make.

When they pulled apart, it was full-on dark out. She hadn’t even noticed.

“How soon can we get married?” Clint asked.

“How about Christmas?”

“Christmas! Lily, it’s the first of September. That’s over three months away.”

“I think you’ll survive. The sheriff is renowned for his self-control.”

“Don’t be so sure.” He gave her a longing look and a lingering kiss. “You don’t want to get married next week?”

“Clint.” She laughed. “Our moms would cry. Let them plan a big church wedding. I’ll make it worth your wait on the honeymoon.”

He grinned at that, then sobered again. “Sweetheart … I’ve been waiting for you half my life. I think I can wait a little longer.”

“Ah, that was sweet.”

“Nobody but you knows I’m good at sweet.” He winked and then his voice got low and husky. “Lily … you … me … it’s a yes.”

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. “Thank you for changing that for me.”

“Anything for you, sweetheart.” He held her close, and she savored simply being in his arms, their future a happy ray of sunshine in front of them. “So … you’re committed one hundred percent to being a Coleville. No backing out.”

“I’m not Sheryl.”

“Wow, you’re doing a good job of bringing up past regrets tonight, aren’t you?”

Lily laughed.

He kissed her and then he whispered against her lips, “There are a few things I need to tell you about my family and our ranch.”

“What?” She laughed in disbelief. He was obviously teasing her again. “Clint, I’ve known your family my entire life. Our moms are best friends. What could you possibly tell me that I don’t already know?”

He smirked. “This may come as a bit of a shock to you …”

Thank you for reading Clint and Lily’s story! Ah, I loved them and pray you did as well. Don’t miss any of the Coleville Ranch Romances. Characters and a book list are below.

Hugs and thanks,

Cami

Major Bennett & Rose Lillywhite Mason - Green Beret and protector of Rose as she won a million dollars in Impossible Escape , A Chance for Charity #2.

Lieutenant Miles Coleville - Navy SEAL. Close friend of Quaid Raven and Aiden Porter. Humble, tough, loyal. Second oldest Coleville brother. Find Miles and Eva Chevron’s story in The Soldier & The Actress .

Easton Coleville - bull rider, twin brother of Walker, younger brother of Miles, charming, hilarious, outspoken. Find Easton’s story in The Bull Rider & The Wedding Planner .

Walker Coleville - roper, twin brother of Easton, younger brother of Miles, thoughtful and kind. Find Walker’s story in The Roper & The Author .

Captain Aiden Porter - Charming, talented, handsome, second-top security specialist in the world. Find Aiden and Chalisa’s story in Impossible Crusade , A Chance for Charity Romance #5.

Autumn Cardon - Female warrior, employed by Aiden Porter, hilarious, flirtatious. Find Autumn and Jarom Love’s story in The Female Warrior and The Charming Gentleman , Coleville Ranch Romances #7.

Did I forget anyone? I apologize if I did! I always try to introduce each character when they appear in a book so don’t feel like you need to memorize this character list.

If you have any questions, please email me [email protected] . With over 170 books out, it’s sometimes hard for me to keep track of the characters! The character info is repeated at the end of the novel if you want to simply read and enjoy and find other characters’ stories after.

Hugs and thanks,

Cami

Coleville Ranch Romance

The Recluse & The Fugitive – Cade Miller and Jacqueline Oliver

The Bodyguard & The Billionaire – Lieutenant Hays West and Elizabeth Oliver

The Soldier & The Actress - Lieutenant Miles Coleville and Eva Chevron

The Pilot & The Athlete – Lieutenant Paul Braven and Shay Cannon

The Sheriff & the Nurse – Clint Coleville and Lily Lillywhite

The Roper & The Author – Walker Coleville and Marci Richards

The Female Warrior and The Charming Gentleman – Jarom Love and Autumn Cardon

The Bull Rider & The Wedding Planner - Easton Coleville & Cassie Johnston

The Contractor & The Entrepreneur - Rhett Coleville & Sloan Jensen

The Doctor & The Caregiver - Houston Coleville & Rose Lillywhite