The Rancher's Surrender

Epilogue

It wasn't until much later that night, after Maddie and Delia had finally stopped hugging and feeding them, that Ty was alone with Zoe.

"Finally," he said, coming slowly toward her. They were in his house now, in his bedroom, right where he'd wanted her for too long.

"Finally what?" She smiled, but it was a breathless one and he hadn't even touched her yet. Ty looked forward to making her much more breathless before the sun came up.

"Finally I get to see…" He slipped off her sweatshirt. Beneath was the loose T-shirt he'd been dying to get off her. "Kick off your shoes, sweetheart. Yeah, like that." Her sweat bottoms slid down her legs at his touch. Then he lifted her arms and slipped off the ragged T-shirt, leaving her bare and glorious.

"No sunburn," he whispered, gliding his hands over her smooth, creamy skin. "I was worried."

"You protected me well." Smiling up at him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought that incredible body flush to his.

"I always will," he vowed, scooping her up. He was halfway to the bed with her when she laid a hand on his chest and looked at him steadily, love pouring from her gaze.

"Both our dreams have been met," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Gently he set her down on his mattress and covered her with his body. He braced his weight on his arms as he looked down into her face. "The mystery wasn't solved," he reminded her gently. "You still don't know which of you is owner of Triple M."

"But I know something better." Tugging, she pulled him close, then closer still, kissing him with her entire heart and soul. "I know I'm loved. By Delia and Maddie. By you. And I know where I belong, Ty."

"With me." Capturing her head in his big hands, he kissed her back. "Forever and always," he reminded her.

"Forever and always," she repeated softly. And they let their love take them to ecstasy.