Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Excuse me?” I sit up straighter, feigning offense. “I gave you a son, Finn Taylor. I think I deserve a little more credit than your dog.”
Finn turns to me fully, his hand sliding up to rest on my hip. “You gave me a miracle, Tessa,” he says, his voice softer now, though no less intense. “But Shep doesn’t wake me up at two in the morning with demands for foot rubs and snacks.”
“I’m breastfeeding your child,” I counter, narrowing my eyes. “You’re lucky that’s all I’m asking for.”
His laugh rumbles deep in his chest, and it’s so rare, so genuine, that I can’t help but join in. This is what I love most about him—his ability to hold me in the palm of his hand one second and have me laughing the next. It’s infuriating and intoxicating, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The screen door creaks open, and Shep pads out, his tail wagging lazily. He flops down at Finn’s feet, his massive head resting on his paws, as if to say, I’m the real miracle here.
“See?” Finn gestures to the dog. “He knows his place.”
“I think he just wanted to escape Rowan’s crying,” I say, leaning back against Finn’s chest. “Smart dog.”
Finn’s arms wrap around me, holding me close. We sit in silence for a while, the night settling around us. The stars begin to peek out, dotting the sky like tiny promises. This is our life now—quiet, messy, and more beautiful than I ever imagined.
Later, as Rowan finally settles for the night, Finn and I linger on the porch, the cool mountain air brushing against our skin. I run my fingers over the copper ring on my finger, its simplicity a constant reminder of Finn’s steady, unwavering love.
“You know,” I start, my voice light, “I hated you when I moved here.”
Finn tilts his head, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Oh, I remember.”
“I mean it,” I continue, turning to face him. “You were loud, grumpy, and had zero respect for my flowerbeds.”
“And you had a rooster that thought 5 a.m. was a reasonable wake-up call,” he shoots back, his tone teasing. “Not to mention you wouldn’t stop complaining about my mining equipment.”
“Because it was loud,” I say, crossing my arms. “And it ruined my quiet mornings.”
He leans in, his face so close I can see the flecks of gold in his green eyes. “You hated me,” he says, his voice low, “because you couldn’t resist me.”
The words hang between us, charged and electric. He’s not wrong, and he knows it. But I refuse to let him have the last word.
“Maybe,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “Or maybe you were just really bad at being neighborly.”
Finn laughs, the sound warm and rich. “Fair point.”
The air shifts, the playful banter giving way to something deeper. He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering against my skin. “You saved me, Tessa,” he says, his voice rough with emotion. “Before you, I didn’t know what it meant to really live.”
My throat tightens, the weight of his words settling over me. “You saved me, too,” I whisper, leaning into his touch. “You made me believe in second chances. We’re like the invisible string theory of love,” I muse. “Life pulled us apart and timing put us back together because we were fated to love each other.”
Finn groans with soft reverence, then pulls me closer, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that’s slow and deliberate, as if he’s memorizing every detail. His hands trail down my back, pulling me against him, and I melt into his warmth, his strength, his love.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips. “More than I ever thought I could love anyone.”
“I love you, too,” I reply, my voice trembling with emotion. “Always.”
As the night deepens, we retreat inside, the fire casting a soft glow over the room. Finn pulls me into his lap, his hands roaming over my body as if he can’t get enough. The world fades away, leaving only us—two souls bound together, finding home in each other.
“You’re mine, Tessa,” he says, his voice a low growl that sends shivers down my spine. “Always have been. Always will be.”
I look into his eyes, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. “And you’re mine,” I say, my voice steady and sure. “Forever.”
Finn smiles, a rare, genuine smile that lights up his entire face. “Forever,” he echoes, pulling me into another kiss.
Outside, the stars shine brighter, as if the universe itself is celebrating our love—a love as enduring as the copper veins running through the mountain, unyielding and eternal.
The End.