by AJ Nuest
Close to four billion butterflies took flight in her stomach. She tried not to smile and failed as she smoothed her palm down the periwinkle crystals sewn into the bodice of her gown. For the first time in months, the entire Dirty Deeds family was together in one room. Not only that, the danger was over and everyone was dressed to the nines.
What better way for Ben to propose?
He stopped her a few feet away from the door but, rather than dropping to one knee or whipping out a ring to confess his undying devotion, he placed his warm palms on her upper arms and spun her to face the exit.
Right. What was he doing? She glanced over her shoulder at the deep love shining in his eyes. And since when had Xander and Charlie’s wedding become a game show, with her the latest contestant waiting to see what was behind door number three?
Two uniformed waiters stepped forward and grabbed the handles. They swung open the hinges and Tanner stiffened as a breath locked in her throat.
A young man waited in the hallway, her same dark hair, nearly six feet tall, centered between two identical dark-haired girls and holding their hands. But it was those three sets of eyes that made tears flood her lashes. Bastian’s blue orbs so like her father’s. An exact match to hers. Hope and Grace with their chocolate irises that belonged to her mom.
No. Tanner moved her watery gaze from one face to the next. It couldn’t be. A sob threatened to crack from her lungs, and she clapped her hand over her mouth. They looked so grown up. Dear God, Bastian even sported a layer of downy scruff on his cheeks.
Yet the best part by a landslide was the glistening love that shined back her. Instead of anger or blame over what she’d done, there was only happiness at being reunited. Only relief over being found.
The next instant, she was on the move, racing into the corridor so she could try and scoop all three of them into her arms at once. Each of them clung to her with the same fierce joy. It didn’t matter how hard she squeezed, her brother and sisters held her back just as tight.
Bastian finally collected them in a group hug, and the sob Tanner had been trying to contain warmed the ebony curls of Grace’s hair.
“My God, I can’t believe it.” She stood back to cup Bastian’s jaw, reached over to clear the tears from Grace and Hope’s soft cheeks. Then back around and around she went as if needing to confirm she hadn’t dozed off while dancing with Ben to have the most beautiful dream ever. “When? How?”
“Can you keep us?” Grace tugged her wrist at the same time Hope looked up from where she hung tight to Tanner’s waist. “Can we stay?”
Tanner’s heart shattered into what had to be a hundred million pieces. “Of course, you can stay.” She gathered them all in another group hug, cradling the back of Hope’s head against her chest and her arm slung around Bastian’s shoulders. “Nothing in this world is ever gonna keep us apart. I promise, okay? Not one thing.”
Bastian cleared his throat, knuckling the moisture from his eyes. “You know that guy who came to get us is kinda scary, T.” He flicked his gaze toward the ballroom. “Just sayin’.”
Ben. She fisted her fingers over her heart as all those jagged little shards scrambled to find their proper place and snapped back into alignment. He’d done this for her. Somehow, someway he’d found her family and figured out how to bring them home.
She spun and raced toward the door to leap into his arms, trying to figure how in the world she’d ever be able to thank him. Only to draw up short as now he was down on bended knee, the coolest heart-shaped diamond ring she’d ever laid eyes on seated in the black velvet box in his palm.
“Tanner Jones, I’d like to spend the rest of my moments—”
“Yes!” She closed the distance in two long strides and threw her arms around his neck, the box flying through the air as she nearly knocked both of them to the ground.
What, did he think she was an idiot? After everything he’d done for her, not even a restraining order was going to keep her from meeting him down the aisle. “I can’t believe this. Oh my God, Ben, thank you.” She rained kisses over his cheeks and forehead, the thick bristle defining his jaw line and his sweet, sweet lips. “Thank you.”
“I can’t take all the credit.” In one of those smooth jungle cat moves she’d come to know and love him for, he stood and brought her back to her feet. “Everyone helped.”
Tanner turned to find the entire Dirty Deeds crew standing in a semi-circle, and though Mocha was the only one who held a hankie to his nose, there wasn’t a dry set of eyes in the group.
Shaking her head, Tanner tossed her hands in the air at her complete loss for words. “You guys… I honestly don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything.” Eden glanced to the side as Kelly wound his arm around her hips and stepped close. “We’re family, Tanner. We always will be.” She nodded toward Bastian, Hope and Grace as they entered from the hall. “And now we’re complete.”
Placing two fingertips to her lips, Tanner returned Eden’s nod. More tears fell as she went forward. More hugs were exchanged as she offered her thanks to each and every person who’d been there for her and always would be.
A sharp whistle pierced the music, and she pivoted away from Charlie just as Xander tossed the black box at Ben. He caught it against his stomach, snagged her hand and tugged her far enough to the side they were out of earshot of everyone else.
“You know, I really should be pissed.” He flipped open the lid and slipped the engagement ring on her finger.
Now there was a shocker. She fluttered her lashes in response. “I’m sure you think you should.”
Tipping her hand side to side, she eyeballed the setting as the diamond shimmered in the light. Man, he’d done a good job. The white gold band sat high enough a set of angel wings decorated either side. Two smaller hearts were inlaid along the top, set within swirls of tiny diamonds that framed a huge heart-shaped center stone.
It was perfect. She shot a sly smile in his direction. He’d admitted to her more than once he considered her his avenging angel. Ever since that day she’d come to his rescue at the preserve.
“I practiced that speech a long time.” Cocking a brow, he yanked her flush to his body. “I had a lot of things to say and you didn’t let me finish.”
“You did, huh?” A chuckle warmed the back of her throat. “I had suspected as much all along.”
“Meaning what?” A scowl creased his brow but she rose on tip-toe, urging him to her lips for a kiss. And then another and another until he flicked his tongue in time with hers and his low growl vibrated her skin.
“Meaning you can go ahead and get as mad as you want.” Fingers buried in his hair, she angled her chin to give him better access as he dragged his parted lips down her throat. “Whatever words you wanna shoot at me, I can’t wait to listen.”
“Good Christ, woman.” He nipped her neck, and his heated breath sent a shiver down her spine. “You know just how to make me hard. Prepare yourself, Tanner Jones. I plan to be whispering in your ear for the next sixty years.”
The End
Meet the Author
Multi-published, award-winning author and editor AJ Nuest resides in Northwest Indiana with her loving husband, two beautiful children, and a bevy of spoiled pets. Her four-part serial fantasy romance, The Golden Key Chronicles, was named the RONE Time Travel Romance of 2015 by InD’Tale Magazine, and her contemporary romantic comedy, She’s Got Dibs, won First Place in the Heartland Romance Author’s Show Me the Spark! Contest, 2013. For more information, please visit her at ajnuest.com.
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