Juliette frowned. "That wasn't your fault. There were six of them. There was no way we could've defended ourselves against them in those circumstances. We're lucky we were able to get out of it without either of us being injured."
He shook his head, obviously disagreeing with her. "I should've tried. I should've shot as many as I could. I hate thinking of what you were subjected to while you were with them. When I found you with Nick…" He shivered and closed his eyes, as if he were reliving it. "I couldn't think. I just wanted to tear him limb from limb."
She stood from her chair and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm okay," she said softly. "It certainly wasn't an experience I’ll enjoy remembering, but they didn't hurt me. I know none of them can ever hurt me again. You did that. You came and rescued me. I'll never forget that."
He placed a hand over hers on his shoulder, but still didn't face her. "I wasn't honest with you."
Juliette stilled. She knew what he was talking about. "You warned me."
"I should've told you the entire truth," he said, berating himself.
"Why didn't you?"
He shook his head. "Because I was afraid. I was afraid that once you knew, you'd never want to see me again."
Juliette digested that information. She wished she could reassure him, tell him it wouldn't have mattered to her, but she knew it would have. If she'd known Devon had a criminal history, she wouldn't have wanted to get involved with him. But then again, when she heard the worst, when she was held captive, she'd realized Devon was nothing like those men, and she was sure, that given time, she would've come to that same conclusion. "I don't know what would've happened. I don't know what I would've done or said. I don't know how we would've resolved it. All we can do is talk about it now." She squeezed his shoulder. "I know you worked with my brother in the past, but how did you get to where you are now? What happened?"
He was quiet for a moment, and she wasn't sure if he would answer. Finally, he turned towards her. "I was a thief. I did jobs, swindled people. That's how I met your brother. Besides taking the money, I never hurt anyone. Not that it makes it any better, but it's true. Your brother and I went separate ways, he escalated, moved to robbing banks, but I continued doing what I had."
Juliette listened intently, not moving, wanting him to tell her everything.
Sucking in a deep breath, he continued, "One day, I got caught. I was going to go to prison, but they decided to put my skills to good use. They offered me a deal. I could either go to prison, or I could work with them. When my time was up, I could go free. So, I chose to work for them. I rounded up criminals, protected people. When my time was done, I realized what I enjoyed most was protecting people. Not criminals, not people who didn't deserve protection." His eyes met hers. "People like you. Innocents. And I've been doing that ever since."
His eyes finally met hers, and she ached with what she saw there. Need, want, longing. "I'm not the best of men. I've done things I regret. And I'm sorry I hurt you, I'm sorry I kept the truth from you. I was scared, and I didn't want to lose you, so I didn't tell you. I'm sorry."
Her heart filled, and some of the sorrow and fear from the last few days lifted. When he was about to look away, she placed her hand on his face, brought his eyes back to hers. "I understand why you didn't tell me, why you wouldn't want to. And it's okay." His eyes widened as if he were surprised, and hope filled there. She smiled. "So now that my brother is no longer a threat, what do we do?"
He pretended to mull it over. "Well, the information about the mine hasn't spread yet."
She snorted. "After my brother, that worry doesn't seem nearly as scary. I don't want to wait until this is over to be with you."
He let out a gush of relief and wrapped his arms around her. "You still want me?"
"Of course, I still want you." She paused for a moment, searching his eyes. "I love you, Devon."
Before she could take another breath, his lips were on hers, ravishing her, his relief evident in every move, every breath.
He finally broke the kiss roughly, touching his forehead to hers. "I love you so much, Juliette. Thinking you didn't want me, thinking you'd send me away, was killing me. I never want to be away from you, never want to be apart."
She felt as if she were flying. "I never want to be apart from you, either." She kissed him, pouring all her love, hope, and desire in the action.
He broke the kiss and laughed with happiness, pulling her in and holding her tight. She closed her eyes, relishing this moment, relishing his heartbeat under her ear, knowing from this moment on they would always be together.
"You know," he said quietly, "I figured out a way we could skip me staying in town when you no longer need protection."
Her happiness dimmed a little. She'd forgotten about that detail. She leaned back, and was surprised he looked happy instead of annoyed at their future separation. "How?"
"Well, this actually also helps me keep you safe in the short term. So, it's a great plan." He tucked his tongue in his cheek.
She looked at him suspiciously, but laughed. "Tell me."
He turned serious again. “You could marry me. Today." She gasped, but he continued, "If you marry me, no one would come after you again. There'd be no point. And, as I said earlier, we wouldn't have to be apart." He was quiet for a moment, but when she didn't speak, he gave her a small squeeze. "What do you think?"
She could tell he was holding his breath, worried she’d reject him, but she never intended to turn him down. "I think… Yes. I say yes."
His eyes widened, and then a grin spread across his face. He whooped and scooped her in his arms, kissing the breath from her. "You won't regret this. You're going to be so happy every day that you said yes."
She giggled, happy, exhilarated, and excited for the future. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the love and passion she felt in her soul. "Every day with you is my dream come true."
His eyes softened. "I love you," he said quietly, and then brought his lips back to hers.
Juliette couldn't imagine a happier ending, and she was so grateful this was hers.
Epilogue
They weren't married that same day, instead, they were married the next. But Juliette didn't mind. Now, all the people who mattered to her, all she loved, were able to see her marry the man who'd captured her heart and soul.
As if floating, she walked down the aisle, Sawyer escorting her to Devon. She wanted to smile at all her friends, the women who'd become her sisters since coming to Promise Creek, but she only had eyes for the man at the end of the aisle.
She wasn't nervous. Instead, with every step she took toward him, her excitement, her happiness built.
Sawyer placed Juliette's hand in Devon's with a grin, before taking his seat next to Clara, who dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
Devon smiled at her. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you." She was smiling so much her cheeks hurt, but she couldn't stop it.
The preacher started the ceremony, and before she realized it, they were married. Devon dipped her low and kissed her, sealing their vows. The church erupted in cheers.
They made their way down the aisle and out of the building, holding each other's hand tight, and Juliette couldn't wait to have Devon to herself.
It almost seemed unreal they were married, that he was her husband. How had she ever gotten so lucky?
The guests filed out of the church laughing, talking, and Juliette marveled at how they'd all become one large family.
She was surrounded by the other women as they gave her advice, traded jokes, and offered to share recipes.
Juliette didn't think her heart could take any more happiness. This moment, surrounded by all those she had left, married to the man who had stolen her heart, this was what she'd always dreamed of. This was what she'd always craved. Love, home, family. She had them all now—
Clara cried out, interrupting her thoughts. She grabbed her belly and stared d
own at her toes in shock.
Juliette moved to her, placing a hand carefully on her back. "Clara, are you okay?"
Clara didn't glance up. "I… My water broke…"
Everyone had gone silent when she'd cried out, but at her announcement, chaos ensued.
Sawyer scooped her up in his arms, his eyes a bit wild. "We need to get you home."
As if sensing his distress, Clara placed a hand on his cheek and waited until he looked in her eyes. She smiled lovingly. "Everything's going to be all right. Our baby is coming." She smiled again, and a happy tear trailed down her cheek. "It's finally time."
Her words seemed to calm him, and he smiled back at her. "It's finally time," he agreed. He kissed her lips softly, and then glanced over at Juliette. "I'm sorry to break up the party like this."
Devon wrapped his arm around Juliette, kissed her softly and then answered. "We're not breaking up the party. We’re just moving part of it somewhere else."
Everyone laughed, filled with happiness and joy. A wedding and the baby in one day. What could be better than that?
Titles by Janelle Daniels
Miners to Millionaires
A Mail-Order Heart (Miners to Millionaires - Book 1)
A Mail-Order Wish (Miners to Millionaires – Book 2)
A Mail-Order Hope (Miners to Millionaires – Book 3)
A Mail-Order Dream (Miners to Millionaires – Book 4)
A Mail-Order Chance (Miners to Millionaires – Book 5)
A Mail-Order Dawn (Miners to Millionaires – Book 6)
A Mail-Order Escape (Miners to Millionaires – Book 7)
A Mail-Order Illusion (Miners to Millionaires – Book 8)
A Mail-Order Haven (Miners to Millionaires – Book 9)
A Mail-Order Destiny (Miners to Millionaires – Book 10)
Scandals & Secrets
Scandal of Love (Scandals & Secrets - Book 1)
Masquerade Secrets (Scandals & Secrets - Book 2)
Secrets in Mourning (Scandals & Secrets - Book 3)
A Kiss with Scandal (Scandals & Secrets - Book 4)
A Christmas Secret (Scandals & Secrets – Book 4.5)
Single Title Romance
Sunkissed
My Only Wish
Collaborations
Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Brides)
Falling for a Duke (Timeless Regency Collection)
The Witches of Redwood Falls
The Witching Moon (The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1)
The Witches Craft (The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 2)
Discover other titles by Janelle Daniels
www.JanelleDaniels.com
Connect with me online.
I love to hear from readers!
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/411789749214006/
Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/JDanielsRomance/boards/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/_JanelleDaniels
A MAIL-ORDER HAVEN
Dream Cache Publishing
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
www.janelledaniels.com
Copyright © 2018 by Janelle Daniels
Cover Art © 2018 Erin Dameron-Hill
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
A Mail-Order Haven Page 11