Under the Covers

Epilogue

Quinn parked the truck against a lodgepole pine, looking dashing in a black shirt and faded jeans. Maybe not dashing, but definitely handsome and stronger than the mountains around them.

“My stomach is in knots.” Juliet smoothed her skirt.

He glanced toward Loni and Tom’s sprawling ranch house. “Either I won or I lost and will run for sheriff next time. If I lost, I wouldn’t mind working the ranch a little harder. The guys seem to be slacking a bit.”

Juliet smiled. “You’re overbearing.”

His cheek creased. “So you’ve told me.”

“Thank you for your help with the DEA.” She’d gotten immunity for anything she might have done and had supplied affidavits against Freddy and Luis. Freddy had made a deal to testify against Luis in exchange for a lenient sentence. Luis had pled out since the evidence was so strong.

The criminal issue was over.

Unfortunately, maybe Quinn’s career was, too.

He slid from the driver’s seat and crossed around to open her door. After assisting her to the ground, he shut the door. “I thought this would be a nice place to chat.”

She wobbled in her new boots. “Chat? Are you stalling, Sheriff? Let’s go inside to the party and see if you’ve been reelected or not.”

“Yes, chat.” He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “My family means a lot to me and will always be in my business and in my life.”

“Okay.”

“So will the town, the reservation, and the entire county.” He tugged on his already open collar. “You need to understand my life.”

Where in the world was he going with all of this? Perhaps he was more nervous about the election than he’d let on. “I do understand.”

“Good.” He breathed out in relief. “In that case”— he dropped to one knee and yanked a small box out of his pocket—“will you marry me?”

The world stopped spinning. Completely stopped. Nothing moved, nothing breathed. Juliet froze, her mind blank. Her knees quivered.

Quinn opened to box to reveal a spectacular square diamond surrounded by intricate Celtic knots—all in platinum.

Her breath whooshed out. Birds sprang to a loud chirping. The wind rustled around them. Joy filled her so completely she swayed. “Yes.”

Relief filled his eyes followed by a huge smile splitting his face. “Yes.” He slid the ring on her finger and stood, gathering her close for a kiss that started sweet and ended deep.

A roaring filled the early evening. They broke apart to find his family, deputies, and half the town spilling onto the porch.

“Woohoo.” Loni clapped her hands. “Get out the posters.”

Several “Congratulations on Your Engagement” posters and banners were taped along the house by many pairs of willing hands.

“How did you know?” Quinn frowned and drew Juliet closer to the crowd.

Leila shook her head. “Uncle Quinn. Just ‘cause you bought the ring in Billings don’t mean we don’t know people there.” She smiled, revealing a gap in her front teeth. “Duh.”

“Yeah, duh.” Jake reached out and shook his brother’s hand before grabbing Juliet for a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

Hugs, kisses, and congratulations surrounded them until everyone finally piled back inside. Quinn held Juliet’s hand, keeping her on the porch. “Life is going to get crazy, sweetheart. My job doesn’t have normal hours, and I’m involved in more than just keeping order.”

She smiled, running a reassuring hand down his arm to gaze up at his dark eyes. “I know, and I like being part of the community. Besides, I still get free rent at the gallery, right?” Her lips curved as amusement filtered through her. She was already planning another art showing for Sophie.

He chuckled. “Well, how about I let you earn free rent?”

“Hmmm. Sounds kinky.” Turned out Juliet liked kinky. Who knew?

“You know the whole pretending-to-date plan was a setup to get you right where I wanted you?” He brushed a kiss across her nose.

“Maybe you ended up right where I wanted you.” She levered up on her toes and slid her lips along his. “You’re everything I could ever want.”

Quinn tucked her closer and took over the kiss, going deep. They both breathed heavily when he released her.

Jake poked his head outside. “Preliminary numbers are in. Looks like you’re the sheriff again.” He turned back toward the party. “Damn it, Colton. That was my plate of nachos.” He disappeared from sight.

Quinn tangled his fingers with Juliet’s. “Well, sweetheart? Welcome to chaos.”

She grinned and slid into the family home and into a chaos where she belonged. “I like it here.”

“Good thing.” His hold tightened. “I love you, Juliet.”

“I love you, too.” She leaned into his strength. “Forever.”