Chapter 27

Twenty-Seven

Isla

We drove back to town, and I held Damon’s hand, feeling relieved. Grateful. Strong. So many things that I’d never thought I’d be able to feel again. “If I can face my father, I guess I should probably officially file a restraining order against Kyle.”

Damon gave my hand a squeeze and turned to look at me. “Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait to see if he does anything to you in the state of Wyoming. Since you are not living in Texas anymore, you can’t file anything there.”

I processed this. “Hopefully, he won’t.” Even as I said it, something turned inside my gut, and I felt like it might not be true. I didn’t think it was the same old fear, but it felt that way.

We drove silently for a couple of minutes until Damon cleared his throat. “I know this might be too soon, but I want you to think about a ring you might like.”

My heart skipped a beat as I turned to face him. “What?”

He glanced at me and then shrugged. “I figure we’re not kids anymore. And heaven knows I get tired of you not going to bed in my home with me. This isn’t anything official, because my mother and Kayla and Ella would kill me if they thought I proposed this way. I just want you to think about it.”

I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh and then kissed his cheek.

He gestured for me to sit back down. “Hey, I’m still police chief. No getting me in trouble on the roads.”

I laughed again and then felt tears forming in my eyes.

He glanced at me and then sighed. “Why are you crying?”

I squeezed his hand. “Because I feel so many things. I know that it was God that brought me back here. I’m so grateful. I feel truly blessed to be with you.”

He pulled to the side of the road and got out. He moved around the SUV, flung open my door, and pulled me out to hold me.

I laughed and cried, and we kissed.

“Oh gosh.” He got down on his knee and took his hat off. “I guess we’ll have to stop and pick out a ring, because I don’t care who gets upset … I have to propose to you. Will you marry me? Be with me forever. Maybe we can do it next week? I just want to be with you. Always.”

I laughed and then nodded. More tears ran down my face. “Yes.”

He stood and scooped me up in a big hug and spun me around. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” He put me down and kissed me.

I pulled back and said, “I love you, I love you, I love you, too.”