Theo laughed, then leaned over to kiss Maddie, his lips warm from the coffee. “Anything for you, my love. Anything for you.”
Maddie grinned as a shiver of excitement ran through her. Moving here might just have been the best decision she’d ever made.
As soon as they finished breakfast, Theo stood to clear the plates, shooing her away when she tried to help.
“You go write your paper,” he said. “I’ll take care of this. I want you to finish it with plenty of time for tomorrow so your first Sunday edition hits the newsstands with a bang. And then, tomorrow night, I’m hoping you’ll be my date.”
Maddie looked up at him with interest. “I’d love to. Where are we going?”
“My Ma is throwing a celebration party for me, for the state championship win. Just a small get-together. It’ll be my mom, my brothers, Max and me.”
Maddie felt a nervous lump in her throat. “You…you want me to meet your mom?” she asked.
Theo nodded. “You betcha. She’s gonna want to get to know the woman I’m hoping to make my life mate.”
With that, Theo turned and headed back to the kitchen sink to wash up the dishes. But Maddie didn’t move for several moments. She’d never heard the term life mate before, but she was pretty sure that meant Theo was interested in marrying her.
Yup. Moving here was definitely the best decision she’d ever made.
Chapter Thirteen
The next day, Maddie got a small glimpse of what it felt like to be a celebrity in a small town. Her tiny printing of “newspapers” sold out in less than thirty minutes, and people clamored for more so quickly that she had to run home and print more copies. She soon had enough money to invest in better equipment—and a whole group of townspeople excited for next Sunday’s edition. Maddie’s heart was full. She didn’t even have proper paper or ink, but everyone loved the Persimmon Springs Flame. It was a small start, but it was a start. For the first time in quite some time, Maddie was feeling excited about being a journalist again.
She also took smug satisfaction in the fact that Steve’s Gazette didn’t sell any copies. He’d written another scathing piece on how awful Theo was, and no one wanted to read it. The town was excited for their Warriors, and for their first ever state football championship. Maddie’s upbeat article on the game was much more welcome.
Maddie was still riding high on the emotion of the day as Theo showed up to take her to his mom’s for dinner. He’d left her alone all day so she could work and sell her newspapers, and she was glowing as she reported back how well things had gone.
“I’m so proud of you,” he said, leaning in to give her a kiss. “Now, ready to go meet my Ma?”
Maddie felt a rush of nervousness, but she nodded. Theo had assured her that his mother would love her, and she’d just have to trust that he was right.
And how right he was! From the moment Maddie met Hazel—who insisted on being called Ma, she felt like one of the family. Ma praised her for her newspaper efforts, and for finally getting Theo to settle down a bit. Then Ma went on and on about how proud she was to have such a beautiful, kind woman for a daughter. Maddie shot Ma a surprised look at the word “daughter.”
“Do you know something I don’t?” Maddie asked. Had Theo said something to his mom about proposing, officially.
Ma just laughed. “He hasn’t told me he’s going to ask you to marry him, if that’s what you mean. But I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. He’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. And he’s never told a girl about his dragon side before. He knows you’re the real deal, Maddie. I just wish his dad could be here to see him now, and to meet you.”
“How did his dad die?” Maddie asked. “He’s never actually said.”
Ma’s face darkened. “It was…a dark time. One the family doesn’t like to talk about. We carry on the legacy of hope and integrity his father left behind, and choose not to dwell on the painful side of things. Wounds heal better when you’re not always poking at them, you know?”
Maddie nodded. Clearly, the death of their patriarch wasn’t something the family liked to talk about, so Maddie let it go. All that mattered was she was here now, and she had been accepted into this family as it was now.
At that moment, Theo came up behind her and slipped his arm around her. “Come on,” he said. “I want to show you something.”
Maddie gave Ma a little wave, and followed Theo, who led her up the stairs to a small bedroom that was decorated with all kinds of dragon figures. A full sized bed stood in the center, neatly made.
“This was my room as a kid,” Theo said. “I’ve never brought a girl up here before. I was too scared of what it would mean, to show how much dragons mean to me. To show who I really am. But you…you just accept me. You get me. I can trust you with anything. You’re the first girl I could ever say that about. You’ve captured my heart Maddie, with all its flaws and dragon nuances.”
Maddie smiled. “Thank you for showing me this, Theo. I’ll always accept you just as you are. You’re perfect to me.”
Theo smiled, then got down on one knee. Maddie’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
“Your mom was right!” she exclaimed. “Oh my gosh, is this really happening?”
Theo’s smile widened. “This is really happening, Maddie. I know we haven’t known each other very long, but you’re already my everything. My dragon heart came alive again, making life feel worthwhile, when you walked into my life. My mom was right. I needed to make finding a girl a priority. Now that I’ve found you, I’m filled with indescribable joy during every waking moment. Please, Maddie, tell me you’ll share that joy with me for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
Theo pulled out a giant, sparkling diamond ring, and held it up to Maddie.
“Yes!” she said, tears springing to her eyes. “Yes, yes, yes! I can’t imagine life without you now.”
Theo slipped the ring onto Maddie’s finger, then jumped up and wrapped her in a hug.
“I’m the luckiest man alive,” he said. “Come on, let’s go tell the others the good news!”
Theo practically dragged Maddie down the stairs, then shouted out that Maddie had just agreed to marry him. By this time, Max, Zane, and Drake had arrived as well. Everyone went crazy with excitement, especially Ma. Maddie had never felt so warm and loved.
The rest of the evening was perfect, with lots of good food, beer, and fellowship. Maddie instantly felt like part of the family.
The only odd thing was that she caught Max at one point looking rather sad. Ma was in the middle of telling a funny story from the boys’ childhood, and Maddie saw Max staring off into space with a frown on his face. He ran his fingers through his hair, and looked like he was in another world. Maddie poked Theo, then whispered in his ear.
“Hey. Is Max okay?”
Theo looked over at Max, and a little bit of sadness tinged Theo’s own eyes. He leaned over to whisper back in Maddie’s ears.
“Yeah, he’s alright. He’s just been through a lot on the romance front, so it’s probably kind of hard for him to see me pairing off so quickly. He’s losing his best bachelor buddy, you know? But don’t worry, he loves you, and he’s thrilled for us. He just needs time to process the fact that he’s still alone.”
Maddie nodded, but she couldn’t help glancing back at Max for one last look. As she did, she saw Zane clap him on the shoulder with an encouraging squeeze, and Max smiled.
Maddie smiled too, reaching for Theo’s hand and relishing its warmth. This family, which Max was a part of, even if not by blood, clearly loved each other. They were supportive, fun, and devoted. Maybe Maddie had left behind the glamour of New York, but she had found something much better. A place she could truly call home, and a family who would do anything for her.
Theo looked at her, his eyes churning with desire. She knew there would be challenges to being part of a dragon family. In fact, she had a feeling that she hadn’t even scratched the surface of how this whole �
��being part of a dragon family” thing worked. But she would learn. And she did love a grand adventure. What could be more exciting than marrying a dragon?
As Theo leaned in to give her another kiss, Maddie had a feeling the adventure was only just beginning.
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About the Author
There are shifters walking among us. Sloane Meyers is devoted to telling their stories.
Sloane thinks we could all use a little escape in our lives. And what better way to shake up the ordinary than to transport yourself to the mysterious world of those who have an animal within them, roaring to be let out. Sloane brings you hot shifter males, and spunky, spirited heroines—with NO cliffhangers! Each book can be read as a standalone.
When she’s not busy crafting shifter tales, Sloane enjoys a good glass of wine, preferably shared with good friends. She loves reading (duh!) and spending time in the great outdoors.
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Lone Star Dragon (Shifters in the Heart of Texas Book 1) Page 9