More Than I Could (92)

Maybe I had to go through everything in my life to prepare me for this moment—I don’t know. But I’m absolutely positive that I’m supposed to be here.

My heart is here.

Chase gets down on one knee.

“You’re in the mud puddle,” I say, grinning so hard my face hurts.

“I acted like an idiot. I started thinking I knew what was best for you, and that’s ridiculous.”

I glance at Kennedy and catch her grinning.

“If you’ll forgive me for being an asshole, I promise never to do it again.”

I reach out and brush a strand of hair off his forehead. “Ever?”

His eyes twinkle. “Ever.”

“Ask her already,” Gavin says. “I have shit to do today.”

Kennedy smacks him, making me laugh.

My heart is full. My soul is at peace. All of the questions I’ve had about my life—where I belong, what I should do, who I am—I now know why I didn’t have the answers.

Because I hadn’t met them yet.

“Marry me,” he says. “Marry me today. Tomorrow. Next week. Just marry me, Megan.”

“I’ll stay without marrying you.”

Kennedy’s face splits with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her.

“Did you ask her to marry you?” a voice says from the road.

We look over to see Tucker’s Towing truck crawling down the road. Tucker’s head sticks out the window.

“I’m trying to get her to say yes,” Chase shouts.

“It’s rude to eavesdrop, Tucker,” I say.

He chuckles and gives us a wave. Then he continues down the road with a honk of the horn in his wake.

I turn back to Chase. “You don’t have to do this.” But please do.

“You don’t get it,” he says. “You’ve already agreed to be mine. So now we’re committing. We’re trusting each other. You’re not going to walk around and feel like it all might end someday because you and I are never ending, Megan.”

I bite my lip to keep from crying.

“Let’s start a family,” he says. “Me, you, Kennedy—maybe a baby or two.”

“Yes!” Kennedy squeals. “Have a baby. Please.”

“I think I’m gonna puke,” Gavin mumbles.

I laugh. “One thing at a time, okay?”

Chase slides the thin band on my finger. “I’ll get you another ring. This one is Kennedy’s. It’s all I could find.”

“I don’t need a ring, Chase. I just need you.”

“Is that a yes?” he asks, his eyes twinkling.

I hold his face in my hands and plant a kiss on his lips. “That’s a yes.”





Epilogue





Megan

“Oof.” Chase drops my bag onto the floor of his closet. “Is that everything?”

He stands and holds his shoulder, wincing as it moves.

“Come here,” I say, sitting on the bed.

His eyes grow wicked, and it makes me laugh.

“I’m going to rub it,” I say.

“Should I take my pants off?”

I snort. “I mean your shoulder. For now.”

He sits in front of me and tilts his head to the side. I work the muscle back and forth, kneading him.

The house is quiet. Finally.

After the story broke that Chase and I were engaged, the house was a revolving door of people. Maggie and Lonnie. Gavin, even though he complained most of the time. Luke and a beautiful Alyssa. Patti from the hotel swung by to say hello and invited me to lunch soon. Neve and her mother even stopped by and offered their congratulations and to pick up Kennedy—who left with a wink.

Chase was right. Dealing with Kennedy feels slightly different when you’re responsible for her.

“Have you told your mom?” Chase asks. “I thought you mentioned telling her earlier.”

I smile. “I had to tell her before your mom did.”

Chase laughs.

“She was over the moon,” I say. “She screamed—legit screamed into the phone. And I have a suspicion.”

“What’s that?”

I press into the skin up his neck. “Your mom and mine might’ve collaborated on getting me here.”

“You think?”

I hum. “I don’t know. Maybe.” I shake my head. I’m imagining it.

“That feels good, Megan.”

His compliment makes me tingly.

“We have a lot to do,” he says, moaning as I go down his back.

“Like what?”

“Like plan a wedding.”

I laugh. “Chase, I don’t care about that. Let’s invite everyone over and get married by the pond.”

“No. You and the mud aren’t friends.”

“True.” I giggle. “Maybe we could get married at The Wet Whistle. Just open the doors, and whoever wants to come can come.”

“Not a bad idea.”

The more I think about it, the more I like it.

“Right there,” he says. “Harder.”

“I think you need to go to the doctor. Want me to make you an appointment?”