Celine listened to the night sounds as she and Jayson sat on the pond’s dirt bank in the east pasture. Gentle moonlight touched his features, making the hard lines of his face softer. Starlight and Shiloh whickered as they ate grass.

Thor rested nearby watching the night, ears perked, probably hearing things she and Jayson couldn’t.

She’d been back from the hospital for a week now, and this was her first venture onto the ranch since she was shot. She had pleaded with Jayson, insisting she was fine enough to make this trip. He’d been acting like a mother hen, but at least he hadn’t been smothering her.

“You’re quiet.” He touched her fingers with his. “That doesn’t happen much with you.”

“It’s a beautiful night.” She smiled and turned her hand so that their fingers linked. “I’m enjoying it.”

Jayson looked at her bandaged thigh, her leg stretched out in front of her. “Does it hurt?”

Celine thought about lying, and instead shrugged. “It does, but not too bad.”

His forehead wrinkled. “Maybe we should get you back to the house.”

“Jayson.” She shook her head. “I’ve never been so mothered in all my life.”

He spoke in a low voice. “Maybe it’s time you were.”

She looked away from him and watched the water in the pond ripple in the light breeze. “This place…” She shook her head. “I’ve never felt so full of life before.”

The silence between them was comfortable. He didn’t have to answer verbally, because she felt his response in the way he lightly squeezed her hand.

Somehow this place, this land, had captured her heart and soul in a way she had never expected.

She didn’t want to go back to the clash and clang of New York City. The harshness, the brashness. This land had changed her. She wasn’t the same woman she’d been when she’d arrived and his and her worlds collided.

But that collision had softened her. The land had softened her. She knew she could never go back.

She was a different woman now. A woman in love with the man who held her hand.

Her face warmed as she thought about the day in the hospital when she’d proposed to Jayson in her painkiller-induced haze. He hadn’t said a word about it since.

Had she really proposed, or had it been her imagination?

“I must have damaged my head more than I realized,” she said to herself, then realized she’d said it too loud when Jayson looked at her.

He raised a brow. “Oh?”

She shook her head and went for a smile. “You know what I mean.”

“Maybe I do.” He shrugged. “I’m wondering if you might be referring to a certain thing you said when you were in the hospital.”

Now her face was really warm. “Oh?” Her turn to sound ambiguous.

The moonlight shone bright enough that she saw the corner of his mouth curve. “Something about ‘the whole nine yards.’”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She raised her chin. “Are you referring to a football game or something?”

He laughed. “I don’t think for a second you don’t remember.”

She refused to look at him. “Whatever it was, I must have been delirious.”

Jayson caught her chin in his hand and turned her face so that he could look into her eyes. “I want that whole nine yards, Celine.”

In that moment, she couldn’t breathe. What was he saying?

He released her chin. “And since you won’t do it, I will.”

Tingles raced through her body. Was he—?

Jayson shifted and moved so that he was on one knee, facing her. He held out a small box he must have pulled from his pocket.

Her heart raced and she didn’t think she could breathe.

“We’ve known each other a short time, Celine.” He smiled. “But my heart knows you. And your heart knows me.”

She swallowed.

Jayson flashed a wicked grin. “And there’s always the fact, you proposed first.”

Heat flushed over her again, but this time it was different.

“I love you like crazy.” He held her gaze as a shiver trailed her spine. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He opened the box, revealing a marquise diamond solitaire that winked at her in the moonlight. “Celine Northland, will you marry me?”

“I-I.” She swallowed again.

“You already proposed to me.” His smile broadened. “This is simply a formality.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “In that case, the answer is yes. Yes, I will marry you, Jayson McBride.” She couldn’t help but smile even more. “It just so happens I love you an insane amount, too.”

He slid onto the bank beside her, and took her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. “A little loose, but we’ll get it adjusted.”

She smiled. “It’s perfect.”

He lowered his mouth and kissed her silly. She knew he would have swept her into his arms if he wasn’t concerned about hurting her, so she pulled him closer and ignored every ache and pain. They faded away, and all she could think about was his kiss, his scent, his heat…and her incredible love for this man who had changed her world forever.

* * *

Jayson and Celine reached his parents’ home and they paused on the porch steps. Laughter and chatter carried through the open window. Sounded as if the whole clan might be on the other side of that door.

He looked down and smiled at his woman and pressed his fingers to her waist. She was beautiful as hell, intelligent, and everything he’d ever wanted in a mate. And she belonged to him.

“Ready for a McBride Fourth of July cookout?” The smell of mesquite wood burning in a barbeque grill carried on the breeze.

“I don’t know.” Celine held her hand to her belly, as if to settle the butterflies. “I’m so nervous.”

He slid his hand around her waist and drew her close before kissing the top of her head and breathing in the soft floral scent of her hair. “You’ll like my family. They’re good people.”

She met his gaze. “I’m not concerned about that. If they’re related to you, I know they’re going to be awesome in-laws. I’m worried what they’ll think of me.”

“Hey.” He caught her chin, her skin soft beneath his fingers. “I love you. They will love you. Beginning of story.”

She laughed. “Beginning of story?”

“Ours has just begun.” He brushed his lips over hers, feeling a tenderness unlike anything he could imagine. “They will love you throughout our story. Just remember that.”

Tears welled in her eyes, making them sparkle in the porch light. “I hope so.”

“None of that.” He kissed her again. “You deserve a family who will love you and believe me, you’ll get more than enough with the McBride bunch.”

He continued to hold her around her waist as he rapped on the door with his knuckles.

“That must be Jayson.” His mother’s voice. “And his bride to be.”

“How does she know?” Celine cut her gaze to Jayson’s. “You just proposed last night.”

“We both proposed.” He gave her a quick grin. Lissa must have spread the word, just like he’d thought she would. “Word gets around.”

Celine rolled her eyes.

The door opened and his mother held out her arms. Jayson couldn’t help a broad grin as Molly McBride hugged Celine first.

Celine seemed taken aback, but she recovered and hugged his mom in return.

“Mom.” He grinned when the pair drew apart. “Apparently, there’s no need to introduce my fiancée.”

“Of course not.” His mom took Celine’s hands. “She’s family now.”

Celine looked speechless for a moment, then said, “It’s great to meet you.”

“It’s Molly or Mom.” She still held Celine’s hands and studied her eyes. “I think you should definitely call me Mom,” she said as if seeing that Celine needed some mothering, needed someone to call Mom.

Celine’s throat worked as if she was choked up. She managed a smile. “Thanks, Mom.” She said it slowly, as if sounding out the word and seeing if it fit. Her smile softened as if it fit perfectly.

Typical of his mother, she swept Celine into the massive front room filled to the brim with his dad, brothers, sister, and few cousins, including Mike and his wife, Anna, as well as Creed and Danica. Not to mention kids, toddlers, and even an infant.

Celine sat on a couch with a group of young women who chatted and laughed and included her in their conversation, making her feel at home. She hadn’t said a lot, feeling strangely shy, yet they’d made her feel a part of this different environment.

She had never been around so many down-to-earth, friendly, genuine people in all her life.

Her social world had been filled mostly with superficial women and arrogant men. She had one close friend, and that was it. Lots of acquaintances surrounded her in her life, but that’s all they were—acquaintances.

So far, she’d met all of Jayson’s brothers, his sister, and his cousin Mike’s wife, Anna, who was pregnant. And she adored them all.

These people were real. You got what you saw, and she liked what she saw a lot.

Yesterday, Celine had called her own parents to give them the news. Her mother and father had been even more distant than usual, if that was possible, when she told them she was marrying an Arizona rancher. Their reception of her news had been just as cold as she’d expected. She could practically hear their thoughts—that she was marrying someone common, someone probably after her money and her inheritance. She wouldn’t be surprised if she heard from their lawyer that they were disowning her and cutting her off.

It would be just like them to send someone to do their dirty work. But it didn’t matter. She planned to donate it all if it did end up in her hands.

She sighed to herself and pushed thoughts of her parents away. She had a new family, and she was bursting to the seams with such a strong sense of belonging with these wonderful people.

Mom and Dad. It sounded so good and filled her chest with warmth.

“Why don’t you hold Emmy?” Bailey, who was holding a baby, a baby, stood next to Celine, catching her off guard. “She’s Danica’s youngest, and such a sweet little girl.” She nodded toward the kitchen. “Danica is finishing up putting roses on a cake. She’s incredibly talented.”

Celine felt as if she’d just been asked to hold hot coals. “I—”

“Emmy is absolutely adorable.” Bailey smiled, leaned down, and handed Emmy to Celine.

She had no choice but to take the infant. She held Emmy in her stiff arms, feeling like she was holding glass.

“Are you okay?” Bailey looked concerned as she knelt beside Celine’s chair. She kept her voice low.

“I’ve never held a baby before.” Celine swallowed. She felt incompetent and unworthy. “I don’t know what to do.”

Bailey didn’t blink. “Oh, that’s easy enough.” She proceeded to demonstrate how to hold the infant. She put a cloth over Celine’s shoulder in case Emmy burped up milk from her bottle.

Celine held Emmy against her shoulder like Bailey had shown her. She felt like a robot as she stiffly patted the baby’s back.

“Relax,” Bailey smiled as she stood in front of Celine. “You’re doing great.”

Celine let go of her breath and forced herself to release some of the tension in her body. She focused on the baby girl, who sucked on her knuckles and looked over Celine’s shoulder.

“She’s so tiny.” Celine turned her head just enough to breathe in Emmy’s scent. “She smells like baby powder and ginger snaps.”

Bailey laughed and Celine brought her attention back to the young woman. “Most babies smell like that to me, too.” She tipped her head to the side. “Have you been around kids much?”

Celine shook her head and dove in with the admission. “I’ve never been around children.”

“Well, you have no choice now. You’re part of the McBride clan.” Nothing seemed to phase or surprise Bailey. She looked around the room and swept her hand out in a motion that seemed to encompass all the kids. “There are a lot of the little monsters—I mean darlings—around at McBride family gatherings.”

Celine couldn’t help a laugh, then realized she’d relaxed. And that the baby had burped up formula. “Good call on the cloth,” Celine said to Bailey.

“Just wait ’til one of the little monsters projectile vomits around you or on you.” Bailey grinned. “The baby is usually just burping up formula, but wow—you have to see it.”

Celine’s eyes widened. “Projectile vomiting?”

Bailey nodded. “It’s like the exorcist takes over the baby for about ten seconds.” She held out her arms. “Danica just came out of the kitchen. I’ll take Emmy back to her mommy.”

Instead of feeling relief, Celine didn’t want to let the baby go. She wanted to hug her and hold her all night. But she let Bailey take her from her arms, along with the spit-up rag.

Bailey held the baby so naturally, and bounced Emmy. “How many children do you and Jayson want?”

It was like they say—she felt like a deer in the headlights. She froze. “We haven’t talked about it.”

“There’s time enough for that,” Bailey said. “I’ll get Emmy back to Danica.”

Celine watched Bailey head off with Emmy. This was a whole new experience for her. She almost felt like she’d landed on another world.

Bailey’s words came back to her. “How many children do you and Jayson want?”

Celine hadn’t even thought about having children. Jayson hadn’t brought up the subject and she had been too giddy over knowing that he would be her husband.

Did she want children? She was certain he did, and that early on he had mentioned kids. But it had been long before she ever thought the two of them would end up being engaged.

Celine watched the kids running around. A couple of toddlers played with blocks in a corner as three young boys and two girls were ushered outside by teenagers who said they’d be on a soccer team with the kids.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Molly showed up and Celine rose from the couch.

Celine smiled. “I’m enjoying meeting and talking to everyone in the family.” She had made herself say “Mom” earlier to get used to it. And because she liked it a lot. Even Jayson’s father had told her to call him Dad.

From the moment she’d met Molly, she felt like she’d come home

“Wonderful.” Molly rested her hand ono Celine’s forearm. “Why don’t you join us in the kitchen?”

Celine nodded. “I’d love to.”

The sun was setting by the time Jayson and Celine said goodbye to the family members still at the McBride ranch. Jayson opened the passenger door for her.

“Wow.” Celine sat back in the seat when Jayson climbed in. “Just wow.”

Jayson looked at her, his lips tipping into a smile. “I’m taking that as a good ‘wow’?”

She nodded. “I love your family, Jayson.”

“Our family,” he said. “This is our family now.”

Celine smiled and relaxed. “It’s good to be an almost-McBride.”

Jayson laughed and guided the truck away from the ranch and home.

* * *

Celine fidgeted with her handbag as they followed the maître ’d into the exclusive Manhattan hotel’s restaurant. “This is a mistake,” she said to Jayson beneath her breath.

He touched the small of her back, causing warmth to spread through her. “I’m here, honey. You’ll be fine.”

“This is going to be a lot different than meeting your family.” Celine spotted her parents from behind the headwaiter. “There they are.” Just seeing their aristocratic-like faces took her back to the childhood feelings of being unwanted and just tolerated.

Charles Northland III stood to greet them when they arrived. His expression was actually welcoming, and he greeted Jayson warmly as he held out his hand. “It is a pleasure, Jayson.”

What is he up to? Celine wondered and nearly narrowed her eyes.

Jayson took Charles’ hand and gave him a firm handshake. Her father was never warm to anyone he considered beneath him. “Nice to meet you, Charles.”

Celine leaned down and kissed Mother on the cheek.

“Darling.” Helene Northland smiled at Celine and took her hand. “It is wonderful to see you.”

Okay, something is going on.

Was an attorney going to pop out of a corner with a stack of papers showing that her parents were disowning her? She wouldn’t be surprised.

“Hello, Mother.” Celine said before politely disengaging her hand.

“Please do join us in a glass of this 2012 Jadot Louis Le Montrachet Grand Cru.” Charles gestured to the bottle of chardonnay chilling in a bucket of ice.

Celine almost shook her head in disbelief. For her parents to select one of the most expensive wines on the market to share with a “commoner” just about blew her mind. Charles pompous presentation of the wine, didn’t surprise her.

She stood to the side of one of the two empty chairs at the table. The table sparkled with its finely-cut silver crystal and exquisite china.

Jayson helped her into her chair before taking his own. Charles had already seated himself.

As soon as Jayson’s butt hit his seat, Charles said, “I did a little research, and I understand you run a multi-million-dollar operation in Arizona.”

Celine’s jaw almost dropped to the table, but she managed to keep her teeth clenched. She’d had no idea Jayson ran such a lucrative business. Frankly she hadn’t cared one way or another. She cared about the man not his money. And her father had done research?

But this explained her parents’ warm reception of her husband-to-be.

She gritted her teeth until her head ached from the pressure. They probably thought she’d considered him a “worthy” catch.

They were lucky she managed to maintain her cool. At least outwardly.

Celine had to take deep breaths to try and relax. The attempt didn’t work. It was a wonder she didn’t stand up and march out of the restaurant.

“I do all right.” Jayson didn’t say anything more.

“Don’t be so modest.” Charles paused for a moment for a waiter to pour wine in their glasses.

When the waiter retreated, Charles continued. “I take it the McBride family controls most of the Prescott valley.”

Celine felt heat roll off Jayson, but he appeared to take it in stride. “I wouldn’t say that.” He switched the topic. “Your daughter is an amazing woman. Her success is impressive.”

Helene had a shrug in her voice. “She has been playing with it for some time now. It is lovely she has a hobby she enjoys.

Heat crept up Celine’s neck and she felt like her hair might burst into flames. She clenched her fists beneath the table hoping like crazy she wouldn’t erupt in front of a restaurant full of people. Jayson placed his hand over hers, soothing her, calming her.

“It’s more than a hobby, Helene.” Jayson squeezed Celine’s hand beneath the table. “Few have accomplished what she has. Not many fashion designers have their clothing line selected to sell in exclusive department stores.”

Both Mother and Father turned their attention to Celine.

“Darling, you’ve never shared that information with us.” Helene looked completely astonished. Dollar signs popped into her eyes. “Do tell.”

Her father was likely working the math over in his head. “Which department store?”

“I’d rather keep it confidential.” Celine gave a tight smile.

Helene sounded annoyed. “We’re your parents.”

“Exactly,” Celine said.

Jayson jumped in. “Our wedding date is set for next summer.”

“That’s lovely.” Helene’s use of the word “lovely” had a condescending ring to it.

Dinner went downhill from there.

Later, Celine did feel it was important to let her father know about Monty and what he had done when he worked for Charles. She finished with, “He killed Sky.”

Charles brushed that aside. “How dare he take from me.” Her moneyed and privileged father was more concerned with Monty having stolen from them than for the horses Monty had killed, including the one so important to Celine’s heart. “I must check to see if the statute of limitations has expired.”

Jayson explained that Monty was in prison and would likely serve a considerable amount of time for the things he’d done.

“Not good enough,” Charles ground out.

The evening continued to speed down that hill.

“Tell us about your future in-laws,” Helen said at one point.

“Mom and Dad are wonderful,” Celine didn’t catch herself in time from referring to them like they were her parents, but whatever.

“Mom and Dad?” Helene said the words coldly, leaving a chill in the air.

“They have embraced me as one of their own.” Celine sat straighter in her seat. “The McBrides are, to a one, great people.”

“Of course, they are.” Helene’s expression was so rigid, it looked like her face might shatter.

And with that, the night hit rock-bottom.

Celine and Jayson politely declined dessert.

Jayson insisted on paying for dinner and left enough cash in the black check presenter to cover it. They said their good nights and left the restaurant.

Instead of returning to their room in the hotel, they took a walk around Times Square, Jayson holding her hand.

“I cannot believe them.” The words exploded from Celine. “Or maybe I can. Their behavior was absolutely unacceptable.”

Jayson squeezed her hand and smiled gently at her when she looked at him. “It’s all right, Celine. You have a family in Arizona who embraces you for who you are. And you are one hell of a woman. I’m proud of you.”

Celine let out a long breath and smiled in return. “You’re right. And most importantly, I have you.”