Page 63 of Seaside Strangers
She pushed up from KC’s lap and looked around the room, meeting each man’s gaze. “And thank you… all of you. For some reason, you took a chance believing in me and risked your lives for me. In the end, you’ve given me my life back. And because of you, my family can rest in peace. I’ll always be grateful to every one of you.”
The men shifted under her words, a few glancing away while others cleared their throats or murmured, “You’re welcome.” Gratitude like that wasn’t something they received often, and no one seemed to know what to say when it was directed at them.
Moriah yawned and turned back to KC. “I think I should go to bed. Otherwise, I’ll fall asleep on your lap.”
He rose with her and rested a hand on her shoulder,giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s the adrenaline wearing off. Go on—I’ll be there in a minute.”
Moriah said goodnight to the group and headed down the hallway. KC watched until she slipped into the bedroom and eased the door closed before turning back to his family and teammates.
“Thanks from me too.”
They nodded but didn’t give any verbal responses, and he didn’t expect any. He knew they always had his six, just like he had theirs.
He headed for the hallway but slowed when Peanut spoke up. “You’re a lucky man, KC. Don’t forget to invite us to the wedding.”
He glanced back over his shoulder, a grin spreading across his face. “As soon as she says yes.”
Moriah came out of the bathroom as he entered the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him. The soft lamp light caught the oversized T-shirt she’d pulled on—his T-shirt—and something in him shifted at the sight of her in it. She was safe. Here. With him.
For a moment, he stared at her, letting it sink in. After everything that had happened, after how close he’d come to losing her, she was standing right in front of him.
He didn’t trust himself to speak.
Crossing the room, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her—hard, needing to feel her, to make sure she was real. She responded instantly, her hands fisting in his shirt as she leaned into him. The kiss deepened, turned urgent, until breathing became an afterthought and the rest of the world fell away.
When he finally pulled back, his pulse still raced, but the edge that had driven him all day had transformed into something steadier.
He took her hand and guided her to the bed, motioning for her to sit. She did, watching him with wide, searching eyes as he dropped to one knee in front of her.
The words were already there, pushing forward before he could second-guess them.
“Marry me?”
Her breath caught, her expression going completely still, like she hadn’t quite processed what he’d said.
He tightened his hold on her hands, not giving himself time to overthink it. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. I don’t want a life without you in it. I want to wake up with you every morning and fall asleep with you every night. I want a house full of kids, chaos, all of it—with you. I wanteverything with you.” His voice dropped, rough with emotion. “Please say yes.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. Not once.
Then she launched herself at him.
They went down in a tangle of limbs, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as laughter broke through her tears.
“Yes,” she managed between shaky breaths. “Yes.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The September sunsat warm but not harsh on Moriah’s skin as she stretched her legs out beneath the patio table. The air carried the familiar tang of salt, mixed now with the mouthwatering scent of burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill where Brian stood, tongs in hand. Overhead, seagulls swooped and cried, diving toward the shoreline before climbing back into the bright blue sky. A handful of people dotted the beach beyond the dunes, but it was quieter than summer—fewer kids, more space, like the season itself had taken a breath.
Jinx lay stretched out in the shade of an umbrella, one eye half-open, his tail giving an occasional thump against the pavers.
Moriah wrapped her fingers around her glassand looked out at the water. This was the first time she and KC had been back since he’d returned to duty, and something about that made the place feel different. Not heavy like before. The edge that had clung to it last time was gone, replaced by something calmer, easier to breathe through.
KC’s leg brushed hers, and she glanced at him, taking in the easy way he sat beside her. Four months ago, everything had been chaos. Now, the pieces had fallen into place one by one.
Chicago had been the hardest part. Sitting in front of the grand jury, answering questions about her family, had scraped her raw. KC hadn’t been allowed inside, but he’d been right there when she walked in and was the first person she saw when she came back out. When they told her she likely wouldn’t have to testify again, she hadn’t realized how much she’d been bracing for it until that weight lifted.
Thankfully, a life insurance policy from one of her mother’s long-time jobs had covered the funeral costs, so she hadn’t needed to accept the offer KC had made. But he’d still helped her handle the arrangements she couldn’t face alone. The service had been small, quiet. Final. She’d leaned into himwhen the grief came, and he’d held on, letting her mourn in her own way.
