Page 35 of Wandering in Love

Epilogue

IAN

It’s Valentine’s morning, and we’ve been up since five. She moved in with me a few days after the snowstorm. We had to wait for the snow to melt enough to get to back to her momma’s house and the station.

We spent Christmas at the ranch. Her momma joined us as well. It was like she had never left. She’s always been a part of my family, she’s always been mine, she’s always fit.

She’s still working at the ranch, and I while I hate that she’s not with me, I love that she’s working on my family’s land.

Today, I’m driving out to the Millers’ farm to pick up my present for her. They have Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and I think a puppy is exactly what our little family needs. She is my family.

The phone on my desk rings, and I lift the receiver to my ear. “Sheriff’s office.”

“It’s so sexy when you use that work voice,” Eva purrs through the line.

“Good to know,” I chuckle. “What are you up to?”

“Are you busy?” Her tone is hesitant all of a sudden, spiking my protective instincts.

“Never too busy for you. What’s wrong?” Everything in the office fades to the background as I wait for her next words.

“Can you meet me at Dr. Henderson’s office?”

I’m out of my chair and shoving my stuff into my pockets. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Nothing happened. I’m fine. Just meet me there, okay?”

“Wildflower.” Her name is a growl.

“I promise, everything is okay. Meet me there in like ten minutes, okay?” She’s not as hesitant, but she’s still nervous. I don’t need to see her to know.

“I’ll be right there.”

“Good. Bye.”

“I love you.” I’m not hanging up before I hear it back.

“I love you too, grumpy.”

I slam the phone back on the receiver and head out of my office.

“I’ll be on my cell if an emergency pops up,” I say to Stacy on my way past her, but don’t stop to talk.

The doctor’s office is just a few doors down, so I walk to calm myself. What the hell does she need me at the doctor’s office for? If she got hurt at the ranch bad enough to need a damn doctor and no one called me, I’m going to kick Will’s ass.

By the time I get to the office, I’m more worked up than I was when I left. I step inside, and Eva stands when she sees me. I close the door and stride over to her.

“What’s wrong? Why are you here?” I pull her against me, one arm wrapped around her waist and one tangled in her hair.

There are tears in her eyes, but a smile on her face. She lifts up on her toes to press her lips against mine. Frustration and fear are heavy on my shoulders.

“Talk to me, Wildflower.”

“Eva?”

We both turn to the door, where a nurse is standing with Eva’s file in her hand.

With her hand in mine, I lead her toward the nurse, but she stops us.