Ashley pulled her little 4x4 Jeep into the driveway. She loved it and the home she’d made here on Hope Ranch with Beck and Adam. She’d found exactly what she needed here with them. Peace. Quiet. Love. Family. Time to find her way out of the darkness Brice brought into her life and find her place in the light again and be happy and healthy in body, mind, heart, and soul. She didn’t want what happened to her to ruin the rest of her life with her inability to trust others, but she found the longer she spent with Beck and Adam, the more good she saw in them and their open hearts, the easier it was to trust. That trust extended to Beck’s family and her mother. She slowly let the people she used to work with and old friends back into her life.

Four months of weekly sessions with Dr. Lanning helped her talk about what she’d been through, put her feelings and anger into perspective, and believe that what happened wasn’t her fault and didn’t have to become the whole of her life. She could let it go. She could move on, stronger as a survivor, knowing she’d done everything possible to take Brice down and make amends to others he’d hurt.

Like Adam. He was the light of her life. When the past encroached on her happiness, Adam pulled her into the present with his sweet smiles, enthusiasm for life, and absolute joy in school and ranch life. He loved the horses and had become quite the rider. But nothing made him happier than spending time with his real-life hero, Beck.

What a fantastic father. Seeing him with Adam always made her heart melt. She loved him so much for taking this journey with her. From the moment he’d found them, he’d been her partner in everything. He made it clear every day how much he loved them and wanted them here with him.

Just like after every session with Dr. Lanning, she couldn’t wait to see him and share how well it went, how much better she felt about her life and future, and how grateful she was for his unwavering support. She exited the car and walked up the porch steps, expecting Beck to open the door, anxious to see her as always. Instead, she found a note taped to it.

Ashley went back down the stairs and around the side of the house to the snowplowed path Beck cleared to the river for her because he knew how much she loved it down there. It had become her place to think and enjoy the quiet. Beck sometimes came looking for her when she was away too long lost in her head. He never made her talk when she didn’t want to, but held her in his arms and stared at the water, letting the solitude and their connection surround them. They didn’t need to say anything; they read each other so well.

Their love may have blossomed out of dire circumstances, but it had taken root and grown strong these last four months. They’d had some tough days when everything settled down and reality hit her hard about all that happened to her. Through it all, Beck’s patience and understanding never wavered. He loved her through the hard times.

She encouraged him as he settled into his new role with the DEA. He loved his job, but the slower pace and bureaucracy frustrated him. He was used to working mostly alone, but he’d settled in with his team and with her and Adam.

She approached the river and saw Beck walk out of the trees to meet her. Her heart skipped a beat, then sped up in her chest as the thrill of seeing him rushed through her. God, he was so handsome. And hers. And that bright smile that came so easily to him now melted her heart.

He didn’t say anything, just came to her, slipped his hand beneath her hair, and drew her in for a soft kiss. “I missed you today.”

He’d left for work early this morning before she woke up and returned while she was at her session.

“I missed you, too. Where’s Adam? Still with the sitter?”

“He’s spending the night with Caden and Mia.”

She gave him a seductive smile. “Really. You and me and the house to ourselves. I love it.” She rubbed her hands up and down his chest.

“You and me in front of a blazing fire just like the first time we were together.”

“I can’t wait.” She pulled back to walk to the house with him, but he held her still.

“I love you.”

She smiled up at him wondering why he looked so nervous. “I love you, too.”

His fingers brushed softly against her neck. “You’ve come so far. All I want is for you to be happy.”

“I am. Here with you. What we have is more than I could have ever hoped for or dreamed possible.”

“It’s real, Ashley. For both of us. You make me so happy. You’re smart and beautiful and kind and generous and sexy and you love me in a way that fills me up so much I don’t know what to do with all you make me feel.”

“I feel the same way, Beck.”

He dropped to his knee, took her hand, and held up a diamond engagement ring.

She gasped, completely taken by surprise.

“I will spend the rest of my life making you happy, sweetheart. If you promise to spend the rest of your life with me, I will love you the best I can every day. Will you marry me?”

Her heart overflowed with so much love she had a hard time getting the single word out. “Yes.”

Beck came up and kissed her, wrapping her in his arms and holding her crushed to his chest. He kissed her again and again, then leaned back and swiped the happy tears from her cheeks. He laid his forehead to hers. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

He leaned back, took her hand, and slipped the ring on her finger.

“It’s beautiful, Beck. I love it.” She held her hand up and admired the sparkling diamonds and antique setting. Gorgeous. Classic. He knew her so well he’d picked the perfect ring to suit her.

She went into his arms again as they held each other close and stared at the rippling river and the beautiful white winter landscape spread out before them, happy and content and wrapped in their love.

“This is so much like the river I used to go to in my mind.”

Beck stared down into her eyes. “I’m glad you’ve found your peace here.”

“In that dream, there was a dark-haired man who stepped out of the trees. I tried so hard to get to him. When I escaped, I found you, here by the river.”

“I was waiting for you.”