They kicked off to us and Levi ran it back to about the fifty-yard line. Great field position, but we had to take advantage of it. First down, Asher handed off to Levi. Not a bad run—about five yards. We ran the same play again, and this time I blocked for him. Six yards and a first down.

Next play, Asher faked to Levi, then stepped back for a pass. Evan was wide open in the end zone. Asher threw a perfect spiral right into Evan’s chest. He caught it and the crowd went wild.

Touchdown Baileys. After kicking the extra point, we were up by seven.

But there was still time, and now the Havens would have the ball.

We kicked off and Theo ran it back to the forty. If they could get a couple of first downs, they had plenty of time to score. We had to hold them here.

I clenched my teeth around my mouth guard as we took our positions on defense. Excitement warmed me from the inside. Zachary’s eyes narrowed and I grinned at him.

I’m coming for you, asshole.

They hiked the ball and I launched for him, my feet digging into the muddy field. Incomplete. Second down he faked to Theo, but I wasn’t fooled. I went right for him and he had to throw it away. Another incomplete. Third down.

This time, he did hand it off to Theo, rather than attempt another pass. Logan was on it, pulling Theo’s flag before he made it even five yards. Fourth down, but obviously they’d go for it. The game was almost over. It was their last chance.

My fingers twitched as I took my position. Zachary called out the play. They hiked the ball and I had one objective. Pull Zachary’s flag before he could lose the ball.

A defender tried to get in my way, but I darted around him. My legs burned with the effort of my sprint—especially my left—but I kept pushing. Zachary planted his feet and drew his arm back, ready to throw.

I dove for him, reaching for his flag. My hand wrapped around something and a second later, I hit the ground with a thud. Mud splattered in my face and dirt shoved up my nose.

And in my hand was Zachary Haven’s flag.

I held it up and Zachary tossed the ball on the ground.

That was it. We won.

The Bailey crowd cheered and my brothers ran over and hauled me to my feet. I was soaked, dirty, and freezing, and I fucking loved it. We’d beat those asshole Havens.

We ran to the sidelines to exchange hugs and high-fives. Someone tossed me a towel, so I wiped the mud off my face.

I turned, and there was Skylar.

Her smile lit up the rainy football field. “That was amazing. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, baby.” I grabbed her and pulled her in for a kiss.

“You must be freezing.” Her eyes met mine. “Should we go warm you up?”

I fake-shivered. “I’m so cold. I’ll need lots of warming up tonight.”

She laughed. “Good.”

Chief walked over and patted me on the back. “Nice job out there.”

“Thanks, Chief.”

“Listen, I don’t mean to take away from your victory, but I wanted to be the one to tell you. We suspect the fire at the Haven House was arson.”

“No shit?”

He nodded. “It’s not definitive yet. We’re going to need to do a full investigation. But there’s enough to make us suspect that somebody set that fire on purpose.”

“Why would someone burn down the Haven House?” Skylar asked.

“That’s what we’re going to find out. Whoever did this almost killed several people, including you. I do not take that lightly.” There was a hint of menace in his voice.

“Let me know how I can help,” I said.

“I will. Now go celebrate your win.”

I opened my mouth to say, hell yeah, I’m going to go celebrate naked. But I was getting naked with his daughter and that just wasn’t the kind of thing you said to your boss. Even if he was cool with you marrying her.

So I just said, “Thanks Chief,” and left it at that.

But I really was going to go celebrate naked. And it was going to be the best thing I did all night. Even better than beating the Havens at flag football.

Because there was simply nothing better than being with my girl.

44

Skylar

Cara really did know how to throw a great party.

She’d gone all out for this one, with a caterer, full bar, balloons, and a big sign that read, Congratulations Skylar.

I’d told her she didn’t need to throw me a book launch party. But I’d discovered that trying to get Cara to stop doing something once she’d set her mind to it was pretty much impossible.

Besides, this book deserved to be celebrated. It represented a turning point in my career. I’d written it after the worst bout of writer’s block I’d ever had. After losing my publisher, and my agent, and my then-boyfriend.

I’d started it with Gavin nearby, his calming influence shoring up my confidence. I’d continued, and finished, with his encouragement, and his love.

And that was the true magic. The real reason I’d been able to write at all. The essence of creative energy was love, and Gavin had unlocked a deeper love than I’d ever known.

Even when we were both trying to convince ourselves we were just friends.

I’d dedicated the book to him.

So many of my family and friends were here. Dad and Mom held hands over near the bar while they chatted with Gram. She’d read an early copy of the book and said it had kept her up so late, she’d overslept the next morning and her peckers hadn’t been pleased.

Evan and Fiona had brought me a cute little succulent as a gift. Fiona said its name was Beatrice, but I was welcome to change it if I wanted. I just hoped I’d be able to keep it alive. Cara breezed around the room, chatting and drinking, always circling back to Grace. Grace’s baby belly was just starting to show, and Asher kept absently rubbing it.

They were so adorable.

Logan seemed to have planted himself near the bar. He stood with a glass of whiskey in his hand, talking to Levi and Ginny.

I was going to miss Ginny. She was checking out of her rental house tomorrow and heading back to Denver, where she was based. I’d read a draft of her piece on Tilikum and it was amazing. She’d woven the feud and unanswered questions from the past into a lively description of life in our quirky little mountain town. She’d really done it justice.

Gavin brought me another glass of champagne.

“I should probably slow down,” I said. “I think this is my third glass.”

He tucked my hair behind my ear. “It’s your party. Have as much as you want. I’ll stay sober and make sure you get home okay.”

Logan laughed loudly from across the room.

“You might have to make sure your brother gets home okay.”

“Yeah, I think he’s using whiskey to cope with his proximity to Cara tonight.”

I laughed and took a sip of my champagne.

Gavin took my left hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. We’d chosen my engagement ring together—a silver band with a deep blue sapphire. I’d tried on a few rings with a diamond, but we’d both been drawn to this one. And as soon as I’d tried it on, we’d agreed it was the one.

A little non-traditional, maybe. But it was perfect.

“Have I mentioned how proud I am of you?” Gavin asked and kissed my hand again.