To Save His Mate(42)
“Lacy, didn’t Stephanie explain about us? I could have healed from a gunshot,” he gently chastised.
Lacy just raised one delicate brow in response. “I’m pretty sure a shot to the head or the heart would still kill you. You’re not invincible, and I wasn’t willing to risk it.”
Then she smiled at him, and Ethan felt her love settle over him like a soothing balm.
“I’m staying, Ethan, if you’ll still have me.”
“Have you? Lacy, I’ve been out of my mind ever since Abe forced me to leave you lying on the ground in your own blood.” He took a steadying breath before saying, “I was prepared to follow you to the ends of the earth, to do whatever it took, to earn your love.”
Again with that amazing smile of hers. Ethan didn’t think he’d ever tire of seeing it. “You could give me a kiss.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my lips, Ethan. Now, come over here, and give your model-in-shining-armor a kiss.”
Laughing at her little joke, he gave her exactly what she’d asked for until a booming voice said, “Geez boy, let the girl up for air.”
Ethan stood, glaring at the intruder standing in the doorway until Lacy spoke up.
“Murphy, I quit.”
The big man, apparently her superior, just laughed. “Come on, Lacy. It’s just a little gunshot wound. You’ll heal up just fine according to the doc.”
“No, I mean it, Murphy. I’m done. You know this has been coming for a while now.” Her tone was dead serious, and Ethan smiled down at her in a show of support.
“Yeah,” Murphy sighed, moving into the room and taking a seat on the windowsill. “Has this decision got anything to do with him?” he asked, jerking his chin in Ethan’s direction.
“As a matter of fact, it does.” Lacy raised her left hand to show that Ethan held it. “He’s my fiancé, and I plan to marry him as soon as my arm is good enough to throw the bouquet.”
Her bold claim had Ethan’s eyes shooting to hers, his heart filled near to bursting with joy. “You mean it?”
“I mean it.”
“Fine,” Murphy grouched, though it was obvious he was amused more than upset. “I’ll give you two some privacy, but Lacy, I expect your report to come in with that resignation. Oh, and an invitation to this wedding, as well.”
“You got it, Murph.”
And with a parting smile, Murphy left the room.
* * * *
The following evening had seen Ethan finally bringing his mate home. Still in a lot of pain—but that was to be expected—his woman wasted no time getting everything squared away.
Within two weeks, movers had packed her things in the city and brought them down, her reports were being transcribed by the precinct since she couldn’t write them up, and she and his mother had even begun wedding planning.
All was right in his world.
Epilogue
Two months later…
Lacy had never been so happy in her entire life. The love she and Ethan shared was extraordinary, the stuff of fairytales. He truly was her Prince Charming in every way that mattered, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
She didn’t even mind when he was being seriously overprotective. After all, they’d had a rough start.
Now, as she sat on the back porch, watching the fireflies dance over the yard, she couldn’t help but smile when Ethan came over to snuggle on the swing.
She leaned in to give him a kiss, and once they pulled apart, she felt Ethan’s hand holding hers as he slid something over her finger.
The finger.
“I ordered it the day you left the hospital. I wanted it to be perfect, just like you,” he whispered.
Tears gathered in her eyes as Lacy gazed down at the ring on her left hand. The marquis diamond shining back at her was simple, yet elegant, and absolutely perfect.
“Oh, Ethan, thank you.”
“No, thank you. I am so incredibly happy to have found you, sweetheart, and I’m never letting you go. You’re stuck with me now,” he said, hugging her close, yet ever mindful of her shoulder.
“Ditto. Until death do us part, Ethan. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She smiled up at him. “Just three more weeks.”
“Or I could just run away with you to Vegas.”
“Oh, no you don’t! Besides, Sarah, Stephanie and I were hoping to introduce Adam to some girls at the wedding.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. You deserve your dream wedding, and you’ll have it,” he vowed. “Are you guys playing matchmaker with my brother?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, I hope he ends up as lucky as me. But I don’t think there’s anyone out there who can even compare to you.”