Page 134 of Born for Starlight

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“You want me?”

“With all my heart.”

I watched as she considered my words. This girl who had been through so much did not take things at face value. “All right.”

I let go of her hand and held out my arms.

I watched as delight flared across her face. She fell into my arms.

“I stay.”

Epilogue

Five Months Later

“Just how rich are you?”

“That’s kind of a rude question, don’t you think?”

“Matthew. You just commissioned Renzo and Harvey for the biggest lot and told them there should be at least twelve bedrooms and fourteen bathrooms. You’re either really rich, or certifiable.”

I put my arm around Angelica’s shoulders and guided her out of the builder’s offices. “Does it bother you that you’re not the one with the most money?” I teased.

“Hell no.” She grinned up at me. “I have a terrible clothes habit that requires a lot of money.”

I shook my head at her nonsense. I’d seen the last check she’d cut for Sister Beatriz’s orphanage.

“Are you excited for your dad’s trip?” she asked.

I thought about it. It would be the second time they’d come to Jasper Creek. The first time had been a bit of a clusterfuck. I hadn’t considered just how many Rebel Sons fans there were in a small town in Tennessee. I obviously had not been thinking straight.

“I’m hoping for a more laid-back visit this time,” I admitted. “What about you? Aren’t you itching to get back to work?”

“Nobody has come up with anything good. I’ve talked to Kit. She’s put an option on a book we both liked. If we can get somebody to write a screenplay on that, then that would be worth leaving town for.”

I opened the passenger door to the Range Rover and helped her in. She was just beginning to show, and it was getting a little awkward for her to get in and out of the big vehicle by herself. I was anxious to get back to Jase’s house. Not just because this was only the third time we had left Luzia there with Jase and Bonnie. I wanted that ring on her finger before she came up with another reason it had to wait.

Angelica had been pretty adamant that everything had to be about Luzia when she arrived, and that included getting engaged. Then when we found out she was pregnant, the infuriating woman was even more adamant that nothing more could come before Luzia, the baby was enough.

Then four days ago, Luzia asked me why I didn’t want to marry her mom. I realized just how badly I had fucked up.

I’d had the ring for months, and I showed it to my daughter, which satisfied her, so we planned today. Now I just had to execute it.

It looked like a damned parking lot. Lettie’s Buick was even out front which told me that Little Grandma had made it. That was only right.

“Jase didn’t say the whole town was going to be here,” Angelica said as she leaned forward.

“He probably didn’t know. I bet it was Bonnie’s doing.”

Angelica chuckled. “You’re probably right. She does like having people over.”

Luzia hit the screen door before I even had the engine shut off. She'd put on weight since the diner but it hadn't slowed her down.

“Mama!”

“I’m coming!”