I watch Jenna, smiling the entire time in front of the huge ribbon. She deserves every second of this. She worked her ass off to make her dream come to life. It’s the grand opening of her charity Walker’s Hope.

Brooke left her job at her firm to be Jenna’s partner.

Weston fiddles with his watch next to me while we watch them cut the red ribbon. Jenna’s old ranch has been totally rebuilt and renovated.

The Hunter Group invited all our top clients to raise money for additional funding even though the firm already made a sizeable donation.

Jenna and Brooke want to work with battered women and children. Give them somewhere to go to get away from their troubles while finding work. The horses are all service animals and it gives the women an activity and a new bond.

The future couldn’t look better for us.

A round of applause erupts as the ribbon falls to the ground and they’re swarmed with people offering congratulations.

Jenna looks so damn happy and it’s good to see her smile. She’s been going to counseling to deal with everything. Personally, I think the ranch and the charity is the best therapy for her, but it can never hurt to get extra help.

As far as I’m concerned, Leonard got exactly what he deserved. He’ll never hurt anyone again.

I’ve had to watch Jenna closely. I know the guy put her through hell, but it’s just complicated all around. She’s always been someone who cares about people, even if they’re a despicable human being. I want to make sure she doesn’t blame herself for what happened to him. Assure her constantly that it wasn’t her fault. Fact is, I was relieved when she did it.

Weston got there right before the police. I told him exactly what happened. We told the police that I tackled him. The gun fell to the ground. I got away and Jenna unloaded on him. It wasn’t technically a lie. It really was all in self-defense from the beginning, as far as I was concerned.

Charges were never brought.

It’s a relief every day to just put it one more day behind us.

Maxwell leads my sister off. I don’t like the way that bastard looks at her, but this isn’t the place to confront him. I know they have something going on, though. I’ll find out what it is.

“You notice it too?” Weston grins at me.

“I’ll talk to him. Not here, but it’ll happen. I might kill his ass.”

“Go easy on him. I think he’s in love. I think Claire is his kryptonite—”

I whip my head over and point a finger, but halfway smile at the same time. “Don’t you dare say it.”

He laughs. The prick will have too much fun with this shit.

I leave Weston to go find Jenna.

They’re giving tours of the property to all the people. Showing them what their money will go toward.

An office building now sits where the main house was.

They’re building even more new stables so they can house more horses. Many of the horses are rescues. They have an entire area for training the new arrivals, making sure they’re ready to pair up with one of the women staying there.

I see Weston grinning as he catches up to Brooke and places his hands on her ever-growing baby bump. I knew they were expecting but Brooke wanted to wait until she was past the first trimester before announcing it. She suffered a miscarriage a few months into their marriage and was scared.

I can’t blame her there.

It had to have been a hard ordeal.

We just found out Jenna is pregnant a few days ago. Seems my methods of putting a baby in her worked. Of course, like an idiot, I announced it immediately. I couldn’t keep that to myself. Was too proud and excited. I don’t think Jenna minded at all. She’s just happy to be free and have a life now.

I find her by one of the stables talking with a potential donor.

I wait off to the side, just watching her shine. She’s so in her element and happy. This is her big moment and she’s handling it like a pro. It’s all just—perfect.

I planned a surprise of my own today.

When she’s done, I grip her lightly by the hand. “Walk with me?”

“Okay.”

I’m quiet as we walk along the property. Nerves swell up in my stomach and my heart races. My hands grow a little clammy and I hope she doesn’t notice. I’m a cool customer. Always good under pressure. Jenna’s the only one to ever make me nervous about anything.

When we get to the old barn Jenna gives me a stern look. “Please tell me you’re not sneaking me off for a quickie in the middle of the grand opening?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter.” My fingers brush up against the box in my pocket. “Come on.” I take her by the hand.

“Okay.” She draws out the word and gives me an interrogative side eye.

I didn’t want her climbing the ladder to the loft while she’s pregnant, so I had everything set up on the ground level.

I open the doors to the barn.

There’s a table in the center with fine linens and candles lit. Servers rush around, smiling.

“Jaxson, what is this?” She turns to me.

“Congratulations, babe. I’m so damn proud of you. All that you’ve overcome. All that you’ve accomplished. We’ve already been through so much. I can’t wait to start a family with you. But, there’s one thing I haven’t done yet.” I go down on my knee and pull out the box, opening it up and holding it up in front of her.

She gasps and covers her mouth.

“I’ve never been a man who asks for things. It’s not my style. I always know what I want, and I go after it until it’s mine.”

Happy tears stream down her cheeks and her face flushes bright pink.

“And what I want is for you to marry me and be my wife.” I shake my head. “I won’t take no for an answer. I’ll go after it every day for the rest of my life if I have to.”

“Jaxson!” She’s practically trembling as she nods and pulls me to my feet. “Yes. Of course, yes!”

I claim her with a kiss and a round of applause erupts behind us.

Weston had gathered everyone up and brought them over to witness the proposal.

My hand roams down to her belly, the main place it stays these days. My other hand grips the back of her neck and pulls her even harder into the kiss. Our foreheads meet and for a moment we’re alone, just us, eyes locked onto one another.

I stare into her eyes and I see everything. My whole life right there in her irises. “Mine.” I growl the word at her.

“Always.” She smiles back.

Then I drop to my knees and both of my hands go to her belly. I don’t give a shit who’s watching us. This is my family. Mine. And I will protect them at all costs. I drop kisses on her stomach over her top. “You’re mine too. Got it?”

Jenna whispers down at her belly. “You’ll get used to how bossy he is.”

“Got that right.” I smile at my baby and then up at Jenna.

We may have taken an unconventional road to get to this point but there’s no other woman out there for me. None. Jenna is it. I can’t wait for the wedding day to make it official in the eyes of the law, even though it’s been true our entire lives.

I get back to my feet and wave everyone off behind us. “Sorry to cut things short, guys. But I need to have a meal with my fiancé and my kid.” I smile at Jenna. “A family dinner.”

Everyone walks away, and I lead Jenna over to the table and pull the chair out for her.

“You spoil us.”

I smirk. “Get used to it, future Mrs. Black.”