Page 35 of Forever with the Mountain Man

“I don’t either,” I reply, looking up at his gorgeous face and trying to memorize everything about this moment. But the music’s so loud, I can’t say anything else, pressing my lips firmly together. Fierce turns, raising his hand and hollering something in Basque. Silence fills the room.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, by the way.” His blue eyes radiate love.

Is it Valentine’s Day? So much has happened in the space of five days my brain still reels. “Happy Valentine’s Day, mon bébé.”

“My family sends this band to begin making amends for the terrible scene they made. They will all personally apologize the next time they see you, and they will never breathe one word against you. Ever again.”

“But they were so angry. They looked like they wanted to kill me, and what about Daphne?”

“Oddly enough, Daphne and Julen seem to be hitting it off very well. I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up together. Daphne, in particular, sends her apologies. Her behavior was inexcusable, and she understands this. But after a twelve-hour international flight with no sleep, a night spent alone and unable to sleep again in a small regional airport of a foreign country, and the confusion of everything, she acted poorly. Very poorly.”

I frown.

“Don’t take my word for it. Everyone will be apologizing and working hard to make amends moving forward because I have made it clear…abundantly clear that you and I are family now. If I can still convince you to take a chance on a humble Basque shepherd.”

“And future cheesemaker for high-end restaurants.”

“Only if I can have an award-winning author and long-distance correspondent for the Chronicle by my side. That is unless you need to stay here and take the job?”

“My career means nothing without your strong arms wrapped around me at night,” I reply, staring deeply into his cerulean eyes and stroking his black beard. “So, long-distance correspondent sounds good.”

He drops to one knee, and cheers fill the air. I cover my mouth with my hands. “In that case, Felicity James, would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Bixintxo Garaile Indar Amestoy?” He pulls a small black velvet box from his pocket, opening it to reveal an intricately carved ring covered in tiny diamonds. It reminds me of the night sky when we made love by the fire.

“Yes, Fierce Amestoy. I will marry you and spend the rest of my life with you.”

He jumps to his feet with a cheer, slipping the ring on my finger and saying, “The jeweler called it a firefly ring. I hope you feel it’s worthy of you.”

“I love it,” I exclaim, staring up at his grinning face, tears in my eyes. The musicians break into another percussive serenade as the cafe patrons applaud. Fierce’s firm, strong mouth covers mine. His velvety tongue sweeps into my mouth, dissolving any worries or fears still lingering in my mind, and I melt into my groom-to-be.

“I don’t know how long it will take me to learn how to pronounce and spell your real name,” I confess breathlessly ashe showers my face in kisses, ending with my dimples and the cleft of my chin.

“We have a whole lifetime for that, Firefly,” he grins, holding me closer. “But first, we must meet your parents. Let us hope there will be less drama.”

“Compared to a large, traditional Basque family in the midst of arranging a marriage from the Old World for their son? My family gatherings will be downright tame…even a little boring.”

Fierce smiles, his large, straight, white teeth shining. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a little boring.”

“As long as it involves forever with you, absolutely!”