Roxanne saw Edvin and Katherine exchange glances with each other. It would be much easier for them to date now that the Gunds could feel safe coming into town.
Jordan turned to go, but then paused to rake Steele with a final, disapproving look. “Is it really worth it?” he asked, his lip curling. “Giving up your entire life?”
“Of course it is,” Steele said. “I love her, and I love my son. And I haven’t given up anything. I’ve gained a new family and a new community who will accept me no matter what species I am.”
Jordan and the Wardens and Elders walked away, muttering amongst themselves. Roxanne felt as if she could breathe again. For a minute there, she’d been afraid that they would try to take Steele away.
Steele turned to Roxanne, raising his voice so it carried loud enough for half the room to hear. “I can finally say it, out in the open, and know that you’ll remember it. Roxanne, I love you, and I want you to marry me. Say you’ll be my bride.”
He went down on one knee.
“Oh, my goodness.” Tears filled her eyes, and she felt her throat closing. Her heart pounded in her chest. This was really happening. She, Roxanne Weldon, the chubby girl who’d sat on the sidelines at prom and never been asked out on a date, was being proposed to by the handsomest man she’d ever seen, a man so handsome she still wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. Not only that, he was the man who had risked his life to save their son, and who was willing to give up everything in his life to be with her.
“This is the part where you say yes,” Katherine called out to her.
Suddenly the people in the hall were chanting.
“Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!”
Roxanne saw Jordan and the other Elders and Wardens walk out of the hall, shooting disgusted looks behind them.
“All right! Be quiet, everyone!” Roxanne yelled, and instantly everyone shut up. She could have heard a pin drop.
She took a deep breath, shifted Flint in her arms, and smiled through her tears.
“Yes, Steele Battle, I will marry you.”
THE END
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Hard As Steele (A BBW Paranormal Romance) (Timber Valley Pack) Page 13