The new-car smell permeating the Land Rover is my only consolation during the bumper-to-bumper traffic that is keeping me from Luke. After hours of slow progress, the congestion leading out of the city finally breaks up. Thank God, because I’m ready to collapse the minute I get to my destination.

I’d been going non-stop with gigs all week and had spent the better part of the day dealing with high-maintenance models and stressed-out clothing designers for a fashion shoot. I can’t lie. I thrive on the high. The hustle and the rush. The personalities and the drama. Los Angeles got under my skin a long time ago—the energy of the place and the promise of dreams coming true every day.

But when the time came to take a break, I ran in the opposite direction. North, to be exact.

Construction on our dream home had been underway for months. Luke couldn’t stand life in the city, so he broke his vow and hired a few helping hands to speed up the process. I wasn’t a purist when it came to home construction, so I didn’t argue. I was looking forward to waking up every morning in our home on the mountain as much as he was.

Today, instead of driving down to my house in the hills, Luke insisted that I drive up and check out the progress. The night is black by the time I arrive on the property. Only my headlights guide my slow journey down the dirt path from the paved road to the house location. I put the Rover in park and let my jaw hang a little. The log wood frame along the top of the house is lined with hundreds of sparkling Christmas lights, and past the huge windows I spy a tree shimmering with lights and ornaments.

I grab my overnight bag and hurry toward the house, up the wide wooden steps leading to the hand-carved door, and over the threshold into the warmth of our home.

Our home.

I still can’t believe it when I say it or even think the words. One glance around and I still can’t lift my jaw. I haven’t been here in weeks, and I’m in disbelief how much has been accomplished. Wide-board pine floors have been installed and stained a light grey, adding to their rustic feel. Light fixtures are in place, and the walls even have the colors I’d chosen months ago.

A fire roars in the massive fireplace framed with river rock—a project that Luke had taken on himself, inspired by the fireplace I’d be leaving behind at the old house. I slip off my coat and let it fall to the floor. The grand room is empty, save the tree that must stand fifteen feet tall in front of the window, and a worn leather chair. I bite my lip and go to the chair, trailing my fingertips over the warm, cracked armrest.

Memories flood me with that simple touch. I’d spent my first night in Luke’s cabin nestled in this chair. I’d trimmed his beard for the first time straddling his massive naked body in this chair. Luke and I had fucked in this chair more times than I could count, but like most of his simple possessions at the cabin, it had stayed behind.

“I hope you don’t mind.”

I lift my gaze toward Luke’s deep voice. He’s leaning against the archway that leads into the kitchen, his hands tucked into his worn blue jeans and his legs crossed at the ankle. My breath catches. I haven’t figured out how not to be awed by his beauty yet.

His beard has grown back, but he keeps it tidy for me. His hair has grown a couple inches and falls in amber waves past his shoulders. His eyes… Those clear blue depths hold me captive. He comes closer, pressing the air out of my lungs with each step. I only breathe when he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. Contact…relief…an overwhelming and reassuring rush of his love.

“I wasn’t sure you’d love me moving my shitty old furniture into your brand new house.”

I laugh softly. “Well, this is our brand new house, and you know as well as I do, this chair has some serious sentimental value.”

“I can’t argue with that.” He smirks and laces his fingers into mine. “Thanks for coming up. I would have driven down to get you, but I wanted to finish a few things here.”

I scan the room again, no less in awe of his progress. “It looks amazing. I had no idea it’d come this far.”

His smile broadens and I catch a hint of mischief in his eyes. “I have a lot to show you. Are you hungry?”

I shake my head. “I had a protein bar before I left work. I could really use a glass of wine though.”

He leads me to the kitchen, which holds more surprises. Granite, faucets, and, yes, running water. I clap my hands in glee, even though I’m certain these modern conveniences mean almost nothing to my better half. Still, he seems pleased that I’m so happy. The way he strives for my happiness is something I’m working to get used to also.

He pours me some wine and gives me a tour of the rest of the house. We end in the bedroom. Instead of an empty, dark room like the others, I’m greeted with a warmly lit and fully furnished room. In the center is a king size bed made out of thick logs. Similar in style but much bigger than the one that had graced Luke’s cabin on the mountain.

“I made it myself.” Luke’s chest puffs out with pride.

I chuckle. “I love it. And I have a feeling it’ll get plenty of action.”

He nods and drops his hand firmly atop one of the bed posts. “With that in mind, I made sure its construction would stand up to rigorous use.”

I giggle and lean into his warm muscular chest. He circles his arm around me, and I lift my chin so I can look up into his eyes. He leans down, but a short, high-pitched sound outside stops him before our lips can touch.

I frown and look out to the clear double doors that lead out to the balcony from the master bedroom. “What was that?”

Luke purses his lips and leaves my side. “I’ll check it out.”

I stay put, because I’m still not completely comfortable with the wildlife factor. After my run-in with a protective momma coyote months ago, I have learned that the best way to respect the wild outdoors is to stay primarily indoors.

Luke disappears through the slider and into the darkness. I wrap my arms around myself when the cool night air whips in. I consider going to the door when a flash of white fur whizzes in. I scream loudly and launch myself onto the safe high ground of our bed, glancing around wide-eyed for whatever the hell it is.

“Come here, girl.” Luke’s voice is light. He’s on his haunches, his gaze riveted on some invisible point under the bed. He makes kissing sounds and holds his hands out, palms up. “That’s my girl. Come to Daddy.”

A second later, the little puff of white fur appears past the edge of the bed. It’s a puppy, wagging its tail so enthusiastically that it can scarcely walk in a straight line toward Luke.

Laughter bubbles up from my stomach, inspired by relief, and also the realization that a tiny innocent puppy just scared the living shit out of me. I sink to my knees, drop my face in my hands, and start to giggle.

Luke closes the door, shutting out the cold, and brings me his new friend. Carefully, I take the small bundle from his massive hands. The tips of her little pointed ears and wet nose are black. She is all fur and almost no mass.

“She’s a Malamute,” he says.

She looks like a little wolf pup. I hold her close to my chest to soothe her and kiss her furry head as she wiggles excitedly. Without a doubt, I’m quickly falling in love with the little creature.

“She’s so precious. What’s her name?”

He shrugs. “I figured you could name her whatever you want. She’s here to protect you and watch over you when you’re scared and I’m not here.” He pauses and runs a finger along her collar. “But I was thinking maybe Susie.”

I look up and blink when emotion stings my eyes. Susan’s passing earlier in the year had hit me hard, but I knew deep down that she was still with me, urging me toward the happiness she so wanted for me.

“It’s up to you. If you wanted something different, I can get her a different collar,” Luke says softly, his voice wavering a bit.

I shake my head and look down adoringly at little fuzz ball Susie. “It’s perfect. I love it. I love her.” I push her fur aside to take a closer look at her collar. “Susie” is embroidered in silver thread on the back of the band, and a metal tag clinks at the front. I finger the metal tag for a split second before I notice the enormous diamond ring that hangs against it.

“Luke.” My voice is barely a whisper.

I’m trembling, shaking my head in disbelief.

Gently, Luke takes Susie from me and unhooks the ring from her collar. He goes from standing to down on one knee, as I stare down in shock and awe from my kneeling position on the bed. Holding the ring in one hand, he takes my hand in his other.

I’m riveted on him, singularly focused on this moment. Luke and nothing else. He draws in a deep breath before speaking.

“You’ve had me on my knees from day one, Madison. I love it here, and I love you. I want to worship you, protect you, and love you every day for the rest of this beautiful life we’re building together. I want to wake up every morning to you in my arms. I want to explore the hell out of the middle ground and push each other outside of each other’s comfort zones, together. And one day, I hope I can talk you into giving me some beautiful children who are just as amazing as you are. But right now, all I want is to know that you’ll be my wife. Madison, will you marry me?”

Tears glimmer in his eyes, and I have to stifle back a sob that wants to rip free.

“Yes, of course. Yes, yes.”

I wave my shaking hands toward the ring that must have cost him a fortune. For being a simple man, he’d really gone all out. The second he slips it onto my finger, I launch into his arms.

He lifts me off the bed, and I wrap my arms and legs around him. We hold each other so tightly I can hardly breathe, but I don’t care. I’ve never loved him more. We kiss, a passionate, all-consuming kiss that goes on forever. I’m not sure we’ll ever stop, but then the sound of Susie’s tiny footfalls prancing around us distracts me. I smile against Luke’s lips. I know, now more than ever, I’ve found my happiness in this man, and I’m never letting him go…

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