Crushing on Love (The Bradens of Peaceful Harbor, Book Four) Read online

  And then she saw him standing by a bank of windows outside the gate, looking at something in his hand. Tears sprang from her eyes, and she grabbed her chest, sure it was going to explode.

  “Grizz!”

  He turned, his eyes full of sorrow. She ran toward him and he came for her. And then she was in his arms, and he was kissing her, holding her, asking her what was wrong and kissing her again.

  “Did you forget something?”

  “Yes,” she said through her tears. “I forgot that this was my life. My choice. And my life is here, with you. I choose you, Grizz. I choose you.”

  He spun her around as he kissed her, both of them laughing.

  “You’re sure, baby?”

  “Yes! I want today and tomorrow. I want forever with you, Steven Johnson. You may have to buy me a snowmobile so I don’t go stir crazy in the winter, but yes, I’m sure.”

  “We won’t be needing that snowmobile, Butterfly.” He opened his fisted hand.

  She stared at the silver key in his hand, unsure of its meaning. “What’s that?”

  “A key to Mack’s house. Walking distance to town. I rented it for us. I can commute, and we can stay in the cabin when you feel like it.”

  Sobs bubbled up from her lungs. “You rented a house? Near town? You love living on the mountain.”

  He shrugged like it was no big deal, but she knew exactly how much living on the mountain meant to him and she wasn’t about to let him give up all that he loved for her. She knew he, like everyone else, probably thought she was giving up everything for him, but the truth was, he was her everything. A life without Steve, even for just three weeks at a time, would be a miserable life. She loved him, and she loved the man he was, which included his love of all things natural. No, she couldn’t let him walk away from that.

  “You need people, baby. And I need you.”

  “And I love you too much to let you give up living on the mountain. We’ll compromise, maybe stay on the mountain during the week and in town on the weekends. Or on the mountain in the summer and in town in the winter. Or—”

  His mouth came lovingly down over hers. Standing within his strong embrace, feeling his heart beating steadily against hers—knowing her family was on the plane toward her other home, probably toasting her last-minute decision—Shannon finally understood the meaning of what her father had said at the rally.

  Roots run deep, darlin’, and they don’t come unearthed because of a little distance.

  At the time she’d thought he meant her relationship with Steve could survive a little distance. But she’d been wrong. He meant that everything she knew and loved wouldn’t disappear just because she moved away.

  Steve gazed into her eyes and said, “It doesn’t matter where I lay my head at night as long as it’s next to yours. Let’s go home, baby.”

  Home. She took his hand and said, “Grizz, can we make one stop on the way?”

  He flashed a sexy smile, and she could tell he knew exactly what she needed. Didn’t he always?

  “Pop-Tarts or bakery items?”

  “Bakery, of course. I have an urge for pink frosting.”

  Epilogue

  THERE WAS A time when Steve couldn’t imagine swaying to the beat of any music, much less a Jimmy Buffet melody like Sam and Ty were playing on their guitars. Then again, he never imagined himself sitting on a beach in Peaceful Harbor, Maryland, hundreds of miles from his beloved mountains. Shannon had not only changed his life, but she’d become his world. Spending this cool September evening with the woman he loved, after watching her brother Nate and his new wife, Jewel, standing barefoot on a bed of rose petals, exchange vows on the beach at sunset, Steve wanted that, too. He wanted Shannon to become his wife, and he to become her husband, in front of all the people they loved most.

  The bonfire crackled and sparked, lighting up the faces of Shannon’s family. Her mother, Maisy, rested her head on Ace’s shoulder, smiling as she looked at each of her children. The pride and love in her eyes was palpable. On a blanket across from them, Cole and Leesa held hands beside Anita, Jewel’s mother. Tempest and Faith shared a blanket with Sam and Ty, while Jewel’s younger siblings, Patrick, Krissy, and Taylor, played with a lighted ball near the water’s edge a few feet away. A cool breeze rolled off the ocean, bringing the salty scents of the sea and sweeping red rose petals over the beach. They fluttered to the sand beside Steve and Shannon’s bare feet like gifts from the wind.

  “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” everyone cheered.

  After the sun had gone down and the breeze picked up, the rose petals began to take flight—and the wine Steve and the others were drinking began to take effect—inciting the kiss chant, along with sharing tales of embarrassing family stories.

  Steve wanted more of this, too. Shannon had opened his eyes to how much he’d been missing out on while living his peaceful solitary life on the mountain.

  He set his wineglass down beside him and took Shannon’s beautiful face between his hands. Gazing into her hazel eyes, which were alit with amusement, he said, “I love you, Butterfly,” before planting a sloppy, loud kiss on her warm mouth.

  Everyone cheered. Shannon giggled.

  “Remind me to invest in rose petals,” Steve said, causing another uproar of laughter and cheers.

  A single rose petal flitted over Steve’s foot. He placed it on Shannon’s toes and kissed her softly before the cheering began again. Everyone was barefoot tonight, as they had been at the wedding. The men wore gray slacks rolled up at the cuffs and white button-down shirts. The girls wore pretty fall dresses. Shannon’s was pink, of course, and she sported a sassy silver toe ring with an S inside a heart in the center.

  He touched his toes to Shannon’s, looking around at everyone’s bare feet. “Now I know where Shannon gets the barefoot thing from.”

  “It’s a Peaceful Harbor thing,” Ty said. “When I’m climbing, I miss being barefoot, and when I’m barefoot, I miss my climbing shoes.”

  “Speaking of climbing,” Nate said. “Do you remember that time Ty and I made homemade parachutes and climbed up to the roof?”

  “You mean the trash bags?” Cole asked. “The ones I got in trouble for?” He glared at his father.

  “Hey, don’t get on me, son,” Ace said. “As I recall, you said it was your fault.”

  “You knew it wasn’t my fault,” Cole insisted.

  “Yes, but you came to me with that cockamamie story about how Ty heard you talking about doing it yourself and he and Nate just beat you to it.” Ace laughed and shook his head. “You told me to punish you, remember? You were being honorable. Why would I steal that proud moment from you?”

  Leesa hugged Cole. “Forever the hero.”

  Cole scrubbed a hand down his face and shot an amused look at Ty, who continued playing his guitar with a smart-ass grin on his face.

  “They landed in rosebushes and couldn’t walk for days,” Tempest reminded them. “The universe always steps in.”

  Steve squeezed Shannon’s hand and leaned in close. “Yes, it does.”

  “Universe my butt,” Shannon said with a playful smile. “I set my sights on you and wrangled you into submission.”

  “And how’s that working out for you?” Sam asked.

  “Couldn’t be happier,” Shannon said.

  “And what does your man have to say about that? How’s life with our sister going for you?” Ty asked.

  “Oh, please.” Shannon waved her hand dismissively. “You know I’m awesome.”

  Steve and her brothers laughed. He’d been around enough to know they weren’t looking for real answers. This was all part of the big-family dynamics that Shannon had tried to escape. In the end, there was no escaping the very people who loved her most. She’d confided in Steve that she’d never wanted to escape them. She’d just needed to find her own wings before she could feel comfortable under theirs.

  “There’s never a dull moment in either of our houses,” Steve said. He and Shannon had been staying
at the house in town about every third night. Steve had acclimated to living in town surprisingly well—much easier than Shannon had. She’d missed living on the mountain too much to commit to more than three nights away.

  “So, she’s a pain,” Ty teased, winking at Shannon.

  “Hardly,” Steve said. “Living with Shannon is nothing short of amazing. I’m truly the luckiest guy on earth. She decides she’s going to do something, and she doesn’t allow any negative thoughts to slow her down.” They’d finalized the purchase of the Cumberland property and Shannon’s partnership in the Colorado Land Trust, which they’d expanded to handle deals throughout Colorado. Shannon was now working part-time for the trust, learning falconry from Jo, and doing research for a local company. Steve had never seen her so happy.

  “She created her own career, and thanks to your gorgeous, brilliant, and yes, a little lovingly pushy sister, we’ve created an incredible life together.” Steve pulled Shannon against him, breathing in her floral shampoo and the scent of home. “I love you, baby, and I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

  “Thanks, Grizz.” She pushed her hands into his hair, which had grown out and was sufficiently scruffy again. “I wouldn’t change you, either.”

  Sam laughed. “You already have.”

  “Only in the very best of ways,” Steve said with a warm smile. “And she didn’t change me. She reminded me of who I used to be—and who I want to be for her.”

  Tempest sighed dreamily. “I hope I find that sort of happiness one day. Watching Cole, Nate, Sam, and now Shannon fall in love makes me long for a soul mate.”

  “If you hung out with me more often,” Ty suggested, “I’d break that train of thought for you. We could go hit a few bars, party it up. You’ll never want to settle down.”

  “That makes me want to fall in love even faster.” Tempest smiled at Steve and Shannon. “I’m happy for you guys. I guess now’s as good a time as any to let you all know that I’ve expanded my music therapy practice, and starting next month I’m going to be working in Pleasant Hill, too.”

  “Oh, Tempe,” their mother said. “That’s wonderful, honey.”

  “Thanks, Mom. Cole referred me to a few physicians there, and I figured it couldn’t hurt to expand my network, meet new people.” Tempest nodded, like she was trying to convince herself that this was a good idea. “I’ve called our cousin Jillian, and she’s offered to let me stay with her if I don’t want to commute. It’s only an hour away without traffic, but with traffic it could take much longer.”

  “That’s great,” Shannon said. “I don’t regret moving away at all, although I do miss everyone, as you know by my Skype and FaceTime calls.”

  “We love those calls, honey,” her father said. “I have to admit, it’s strange having my little girl so far away, but I know Steve is watching out for you.”

  “He is,” Shannon admitted. “But I can keep myself out of trouble, you know.”

  “Like the time you snuck out to meet Tommy, or Timmy, or whatever that kid’s name was?” Ty said.

  Shannon rolled her eyes. “It was Frankie, and you guys were jerks.”

  “Your brothers were just looking out for you,” her mother said.

  Shannon rolled her eyes again. They’d been sharing Shannon stories all weekend, and Steve would never tire of hearing them. He could imagine the spitfire she must have been as a teenager.

  “What happened?” Steve asked.

  “I snuck out my window.” Shannon pointed to the second-story window of her parents’ house behind them. “It was a pain, too. I tied sheets together, secured them to the foot of my bed, then climbed down them and had to jump the last ten feet. Then I ran all the way down the beach to his father’s boathouse. I was so nervous and out of breath by the time I got there, I thought I was going to throw up. I was only thirteen, and I knew I was going to get my first real kiss.”

  Sam cleared his throat, and she shot him a death stare.

  “Kiss, Sam. Nothing more.” She turned her attention back to Steve and said, “Anyway, I pushed the boathouse door open and it was pitch-black. So I stepped inside, shaking like a fricking leaf, and I whispered something. I don’t remember what—”

  “You said”—Sam spoke in a higher pitch—“‘Frankie spanky, I’m here.’”

  He burst out laughing.

  Shannon covered her face. “Ohmygod.”

  “Frankie spanky?” Steve cocked a brow.

  “Ugh! It was a joke!” She scowled at Sam. “I walked in, and these numskulls were standing there. Nate had Frankie in a headlock, and Frankie looked like he was going to pass out or throw up. I was mortified.”

  “You were also dead meat,” Ty said. “She got grounded for a month.”

  Shannon sighed loudly.

  “I think it’s time for a change of subject.” Tempest picked up Ty’s guitar and began playing.

  Steve rose to his feet and reached a hand out to Shannon.

  “May I have this dance, beautiful?”

  She bounced to her feet. “You can have every dance.”

  “I want to dance with my husband,” Jewel said. Still wearing her knee-length white lace wedding dress, she tugged Nate up to his feet. Nate went gladly, with a look of love in his eyes.

  Cole and Leesa followed, as did Shannon’s parents. Ty offered a hand to Anita, who graciously took it. Steve held Shannon in his arms, dancing beneath the moonlight, thinking about how lucky he was. Not only for falling in love with such an incredible woman, but for having friends who’d taught him to dance, so he could feel her melting against him like a candle in the sun. Pure bliss.

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE they told the Frankie story.” Shannon gazed into Steve’s eyes, recognizing the flicker of nervousness that usually sent his hand cruising through his hair. “Are you okay?”

  “I wish I’d known you then,” he said thoughtfully.

  “Why? Because you think I would have made out with you in a boathouse? By the way, we all called him Frankie spanky because his little brother called him that.”

  He kissed her softly. “Making out in a boathouse does sound pretty hot, but that’s not why. You once said you wanted the strength of years behind us. I want that, Shan. I would have loved to be your first kiss, your first date…”

  The sincerity in his voice made her insides go soft. “You were the first person to have shmores with me, and a Happy Pack, and some sexy things we won’t talk about here.” Her cheeks flushed. “You were also not just the first but the only person I’ve ever fallen in love with. That’s a lot more important.”

  “You’re right, baby. And I want you to know that I understand how important your family is to you. If you ever want to move back here, I’ll make it work. I’ll figure out a way. I want you to be happy, and I’ll do whatever it takes to give you the best life you could possibly want.”

  “I know you would do anything for me, but I love our life in Colorado. This is all I need, a few days here and there to touch base. You saw how much I missed the mountain when we tried to move into town. I can’t imagine moving this far away from the place we fell in love. My heart is on that mountain now.”

  “I want this with you forever, baby. Everything. Family get-togethers, our own family.” He reached into his slacks pocket and pulled out a red velvet bag.

  “Grizz?” she said with a shaky voice.

  He withdrew a gorgeous rose-gold ring with tiny white and yellow gold butterflies along the band and a teardrop-shaped diamond in the center.

  Her hand flew to her chest, and she choked out, “I can’t breathe.”

  He dropped down on one knee and held her left hand. She was trembling all over, vaguely aware of her family gathering around as he said, “Marry me, Butterfly. Be mine and let me be yours forever. I want to see you in a wedding dress and round with our babies. I want to grow old and gray together listening to your endless sentences and waking up with you in my wrinkled, arthritic arms.”

  “Grizz,” she whispered. T
ears slid down her cheeks. She’d dreamed of this moment, but nothing could come close to the love filling her veins as she gazed into Steve’s loving eyes. His hands were shaking, as were hers. “Kids,” she said softly. “You want kids?”

  “As many as you want, sweet girl.”

  She choked past her thickening throat. “As many as I want? Sugared-up baby Grizzes? Can we give them Happy Packs and teach them to make shmores and to dance?”

  “Baby,” he said, rising to his feet. “If you marry me, there’s nothing we can’t do.”

  “We’ll need more space. Not now, but when we have kids. Maybe we can add on to the cabin. Married! Grizz, we’re getting married!”

  He held the sparkling ring in front of her finger. “Is that a yes?”

  She pushed her finger into the ring and squealed, leaping into his arms as she said, “Yes. Double yes. Triple yes. Quadruple y—”

  Her final words were smothered in the most delicious kiss of them all. The kiss of promises to come, hopes, and dreams from the only man who could ever make them come true.

  —Ready for more Bradens?—

  From New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes a new sexy romance, WHISPER OF LOVE, in which Tempest Braden, a music therapist, meets Nash Morgan, a reclusive artist, and single father, with a secret past.

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  —Ready for more flirty, sexy love?—

  Fall in love with Matt and Mira in

  SEASIDE WHISPERS (Seaside Summers)

  MATT LACROUX NEEDED a shower, a vacation, and to figure out what the hell he was doing with his life—in that order. And sex. Sex would be good. It had been a long time since he’d had a warm, willing woman in his bed instead of a research project to work on, papers to grade, or notes to coordinate on the book he was writing. In fact, now that he was thinking about it, he might move sex up to the top of his list—if he didn’t have someone else’s blood on his hands.