“Since when are you the one giving me pep talks?”
“Since you had to go and outdo me by getting shot twice,” I teased.
“I still have you both beat,” Coal said and joined us on the couch.
“We are not having a ‘who can get shot the most’ competition,” Luke said flatly.
“Aspen, can you come here for a second?” Josie asked from the kitchen.
“I’ll stay with him,” Coal offered before I had a chance to ask.
EPILOGUE
COAL
“Ineed to make this quick before either one of them comes back.”
Luke turned to me with a knowing look on his face. “You want to marry Aspen.”
I nodded. “Yes, and I’d like your permission to ask her. You two can deny it all you want, but she thinks of you as her father, and you think of her as your daughter.”
He smiled proudly. “I don’t know if permission is the right word, but you have my blessing.”
“Thank you,” I said and inhaled deeply. Even though I knew she’d say yes, I was still nervous.
Luke chuckled beside me. “This party isn’t for me, is it?”
“Yes and no. It was the best way to get everyone here without raising her suspicions,” I explained. “I hope you’re not disappointed.”
“Are you kidding?” he asked incredulously. “I didn’t want a party to begin with. And now that I know this one isn’t really for me, I won’t feel bad for leaving early. I’m ready to lay on a mattress that isn’t covered in plastic. So, I suggest you get on with it, because as soon as I eat, I’m out of here.”
“I guess there’s no time like the present,” I said as Josie and Aspen walked toward us with a plate of food and a drink for Luke.
I took the drink from Aspen and placed it on the table beside Luke. Then, I took her hand and walked a few feet away from where he was sitting.
Dropping to one knee, I presented her with the ring I’d purchased while she was at the safe house.
“We’ve been through a lot over the last few weeks. I wouldn’t have gotten through any of it without you, and I don’t want to go through anything else without you by my side. I love you with an intensity I didn’t know was possible. Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Of course, I’ll marry you!” she shouted.
I stood just in time to catch her as she launched herself at me. She clung to me tightly as the room erupted in cheers.
“I love you, Coal.”
“I love you, too, Aspen. Forever and always.”