"What about the Whitmores? Are they in trouble too?” Kit’s practically salivating over the idea of the Whitmore’s going to jail.
"That's the frustrating part," I say, brushing off my jeans. "I dug through every bit of evidence I could legally access. The Whitmores are clean on this one—at least on paper." I pause, meeting Kit's disappointed gaze. “Sorry.”
"So, they get to keep being rotten, just legally rotten." She folds her arms and glares in the direction of Gritstone Ranch. “I don’t like it.”
“None of us do.” Oscar puts his arm around her and gives her a squeeze.
Wyatt takes my hand. "Enough about the Whitmores," he says. "We won. Let's enjoy it."
"He's right," Brook says, clapping her hands together. "Come on, everyone inside. I've got steaks marinating because we are celebrating."
The family begins moving toward the house.
"I can't believe it's over," I say to Sarah as we climb thesteps together. “It might take a couple days for me to wind down.”
"Oh, it's not over." Sarah's replies. “My phone's been ringing all morning. Everyone wants to know how we did it." She places a hand on my arm. "Three law firms have called asking if you're taking new clients.”
“Wow,” I say, stunned, but excited. I haven’t even thought about my next client, or from where I’ll be working. Cheyenne or Gritstone. Wyatt and I haven’t got that far yet.
“And if you need an office,” She folds me into a hug. “The cottage is yours—for as long as you want it.”
“Thank you,” I rasp out, surprised at the offer.
She pulls back, her hands gripping my shoulders, gray eyes bright with tears. "Do you know what you did for this family?"
“I did my job,” I reply.
"Your job?" Sarah laughs. "Honey, your job was to file some paperwork and make phone calls. What you did was go to war for us."
Oscar clears his throat behind us. "Sarah's right. What you did for us—"
"Wassavage," Kit interrupts, and there's actual admiration in her voice.
I feel my throat closing up. "I just—"
Sarah pulls me close again. “Welcome home."
Levi's weathered hands are gentle as he pats my shoulder. "Good work, girl."
Sarah steps back and Wyatt moves in, his arm sliding around my waist like he's been waiting for me.
I take in a scene. Kit's sitting on the counter, boots swinging as she steals pieces of whatever Brook’s chopping.Levi's pulled out the good whiskey, pouring glasses for himself, Oscar, and Sarah.
Wyatt presses a kiss to the top of my head, his lips lingering in my hair. I close my eyes and breathe in the smell of home-cooked food and the sound of people who genuinely love each other.
"Because of you, I got my family back. Found my place here again." His arm tightens around me. "You gave me everything I didn't know I was missing. You saved me."
"We saved each other," I say quietly, turning in his arms just enough to meet his eyes. "I was just as lost as you were."
"Kinsley Rose, I love you."
All those careful walls I've built crumble under the weight of his unwavering gaze. Every broken piece inside me feels like it's being carefully gathered up and put back together. I've spent my whole life being strong enough to handle anything, but standing here with his canyon-deep eyes looking at me like I'm worth everything—I finally understand what it means to have someone who would move mountains for me.
"I love you too," I whisper.
He leans down and kisses me, soft and sweet, his lips warm against mine.
"Well," Kit announces from her perch on the counter. "I guess that settles it. You're stuck with us now."