by Emery Rose
Without any fanfare or hesitation, he starts speaking. “Before you came into my life two years ago, I thought I was exactly where I was meant to be. I didn’t even know I was searching for you. But then, there you were. And I had no idea how I’d gotten through life without you. You make my world a better place. You love me for exactly who I am, and never try to change me or turn me into your ideal version of a man. Despite my flaws and weaknesses, you still love me. And that fucking amazes me. I never thought I’d find a love like that. Every single day I ask myself, why me? How did I get so damn lucky?
“I’d consider it my greatest privilege to walk through this life with you. To be by your side through all the highs and lows, through every storm that life throws our way. As long as we’re together, I have faith that we’ll come through it just fine. It’s been a hell of a ride already and we’ve only just begun.” My heart is hammering against my ribcage, so full I think it might burst. “I love you, Shiloh. And now that I’ve found you, I’ll do my damnedest to make sure you never regret choosing me. I promise to be true to you and only you and to fight for you and defend you until my dying day.”
Tears are streaming down my cheeks. For a long moment, I just stare at his face, the face I love above all others, so overcome with emotion that I’m speechless. Then I throw my arms around his neck, nearly knocking him over, and I kiss him hard. “God, I love you.”
“That’s all you’ve got to say?” Brody snorts. “And they call you a poet.”
I roll my eyes. “I wrote a whole album for you, Cowboy.”
It’s true too. Every song on my new album was written for him. There are two things I hold sacred. My music and my love for Brody. And not necessarily in that order.
“Yeah, you did.” He pulls back and reaches into his pocket. Then he takes my left hand in his and slides a cool piece of metal onto my ring finger. I hold it up to my face and inspect the silver ring etched with designs I can’t quite make out in this lighting. But the ring fits perfectly and it’s exactly something I would have chosen. I’ve never been big on diamonds or gemstones and he knows this about me. “This is so beautiful,” I whisper, holding my hand over my heart. “I love it.”
“Thank fuck for that.” He wipes imaginary sweat off his brow. Or maybe he really is sweating. “Otherwise, I’d be shit out of luck. Can’t take it back. I had it made for you.”
“You did that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you,” he says simply. Then adds, “It’s just a ring. No need to cry over it.”
As if it was the ring I was crying over. It was his words and the thought of him going to a jeweler and giving them specifications for how he wanted this ring to turn out. “I can’t help it. Sometimes you’re just so sweet.”
“There’s nothing sweet about me,” he says gruffly, even though we both know that’s not true.
Then he gives me that charming Brody McCallister grin, mischief dancing in his whiskey brown eyes completely disarming me. I have no defense against Charming Brody. Before I even have a chance to process what’s happening, he lifts me up off the ground and throws me over his shoulder. I’m laughing and pounding his back as he jogs to the dock. I’ve been living with this man every day for an entire year so I should have seen it coming but I didn’t. Seconds later, he tosses me into the lake then dives in after me. When my head emerges from the water, he pulls my shivering body against him and I wrap my arms and legs around him, using his body heat to keep me warm.
“You’re crazy,” I say, laughing.
“About you.”
We’re fully dressed, swimming in a cool lake under the moon and stars two years to the day that I first came to stay in the guesthouse at Brody McCallister’s ranch. It’s an anniversary and a new beginning all rolled into one.
“Let me say my words.” I cradle his face in my hands while he treads water to keep both of us afloat. “From the moment I saw you at the airport two years ago, I knew you were going to change my life. I had that feeling, you know?” He nods. He knows all about my freaky psychic powers that may or may not be a real thing. I don’t even think it matters.
“When I’m with you, I know it’s exactly where I belong. You are, quite literally, the man of my dreams. You still make me weak in the knees and your smile still makes my stomach flutter. I trust you with my life, my secrets, my hopes and dreams, my truths that aren’t always pretty but they’re real. Like you. Like us. You’re my every dream come true. My ideal man. Strong and true and brave with a side of wild and crazy that I love.” He smiles and I run my fingertips over the little crinkles next to his eyes. “It feels like I have loved you from the beginning of time and I will love you to the end. I have no doubt that we will weather every storm. Because this love of ours is one for the ages. I love you, Brody. Forever and ever. Amen.”
“Hallelujah.”
And then he kisses me, gentle but demanding, sealing the vows we made while he somehow manages to keep us both afloat. I say a silent little prayer to Maw Maw, thanking her for sending Brody to me. I’d like to believe that my mom and Maw Maw are up above looking down at us from the stars, giving us their blessing.
I have found my home in the arms of the man I love. I made my peace with giving up my daughter. I lost my brother. But the McCallisters have welcomed me into their family, and they treat me as one of their own.
I am loved. And I guess that’s what I was searching for all along. I was lucky enough to find a man who is willing to put up with the life of a rock star, to support and encourage me every step of the way, and I’ll never take that for granted. Sometimes you really can have it all. And I do. I don’t think it could get much better than this.
The End
About the Author
Emery Rose has been known to indulge in good red wine, strong coffee, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. She loves writing about sexy alpha heroes, strong heroines, artists, beautiful souls, and flawed but redeemable characters who need to work for their happily ever after.
When she’s not writing, you can find her binge-watching Netflix, trotting the globe in search of sunshine, or immersed in a good book. A former New Yorker, she currently lives in London with her two beautiful daughters.
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Acknowledgments
Acknowledgements
As always, I have so many people to thank for helping me bring this book to life.
A huge thank you to Jen Mirabelli. Once again, I could not have done this without you. Thank you for believing in me and this story. Thank you for the daily chats, for taking my calls when I ‘lost the plot’ and for organizing all the promo and marketing. You do so much for me and I’m so grateful. xoxo
To Aliana Milano. Thank you for beta reading, for kicking my ass when I need it, and for all the midnight chats when we put the world to rights. Love you, boo.
Carol Radcliffe, thank you for friendship and your support. I’m so happy we found each other. Emily Meador, thank you for all you do for Emery’s Rambling Roses and for doing such an amazing job of keeping the group going. I truly appreciate it.
Thank you, Ellie McLove for always fitting me into your schedule at the very last minute.
Najla Qamber, thank you for creating this gorgeous cover. You are such a joy to work with. Thank you to Michelle Lancaster for taking this gorgeous cover photo. It’s a true work of art.
To all the book bloggers and bookstagrammers who took the time to read and review and share, thank you so much! I appreciate you and everything you do for the indie community.
A big thank you to my daughters who are so supportive and understanding, even when I disappear for hours and days at a time and get lost in the world of my fictional characters. Love you to the moon and back. Forever and always.
&nbs
p; And last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to the readers. Writing is a dream come true and I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you so much for reading my words. Please consider taking a few seconds to leave an honest review. They mean so much to indie authors.
Thank you so very much.
Emery Rose xoxo
Also by Emery Rose
The Beautiful Series
Beneath Your Beautiful
Beautiful Lies
Beautiful Rush
Love and Chaos Series
Wilder Love
Sweet Chaos
Lost Stars Series
When The Stars Fall