Country Frost (King Creek Cowboys #8)

Chapter 16

16

O ver the next three months, she kept expecting to run into Porter, but she hadn’t. She worked at the hospital on weekdays, which was likely when he’d be going into town for anything he needed.

The last time she spoke to Ellie, she learned the real criminal had been arrested six weeks ago, but the social media assault on Porter hadn’t stopped.

The least he could do was talk to her, but he kept his distance. She didn’t know that she could get over him not even speaking to her. Maybe it was as painful for him as it was for her.

Leeann sat in front of her monitor in her home office and stared at the screen, her fingers poised over the keyboard. In book four, she hadn’t given this heroine a love interest—it was too painful to think about being in love.

Her first book had made the USA Today and Publishers Weekly , and she had hopes that book two would make the New York Times. She had gained a lot of readers since Chasing Secrets came out and received a steady stream of fan mail to her post office box .

It had been an exciting time in her new career, but two things had been missing—Porter and Ashley.

Still, she celebrated her accomplishments with her family, pushing aside wishes that those two could have been part of them.

Book two would be out in two months, and book three was scheduled for late November. It was a Christmas-themed book, and her editor thought it should do well around the holidays.

She wasn’t yet at the point where she could quit her job, but things were looking good.

A knock sounded at the front door, causing her to jump. She made her way out of the office, calling out, “Coming,” when there was a second knock.

She opened the door and found Ellie standing on her doorstep. “What’s up?”

“I haven’t seen you for a couple of weeks, and I’ve missed you.” Ellie bustled in, carrying a bag.

“I was having a hard time writing anyway.” Leeann closed the door behind her cousin. “This book has been more challenging than the other three combined.”

“I brought inspiration.” Ellie led the way to the kitchen, opened the bag, and produced a box of a half-dozen donuts. “Ta-da.”

“I adore you.” Leeann took the box, set it down, and took out a chocolate-frosted donut with sprinkles. “My favorite.”

She plopped down into a seat at the table and Ellie, holding a strawberry-frosted donut, took hers.

Leeann bit into the delicious donut and chewed slowly, savoring it.

“I didn’t say anything before today because I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but you deserve to know I found out the criminal Porter was mistaken for pled guilty two weeks ago.” Ellie studied Leeann as she spoke. “The crazies on social media have gradually disappeared now that someone admitted to masterminding the illegal adoption ring.”

Leeann’s skin prickled, and she lowered what had been a delicious treat. Now, she’d lost her appetite.

“I’ve been all over the Internet, posting the news to get the word out.” Ellie leaned forward. “I think it’s helped.”

The backs of Leeann’s eyes ached, but she wouldn’t cry. There was no sense shedding another tear, but it hurt nonetheless.

“He hasn’t bothered to let me know.” A heavy weight filled her chest. “The least he could have done was call.”

Ellie placed her hand over Leeann’s. “Give him time.”

They spent the next half hour talking about anything but Porter, and Leeann was glad her cousin had stopped by.

When Ellie had to leave, Leeann walked her to the door. She stood on the porch and waved.

She started to go back into the house, when a big black truck pulled up in front of her mailbox. Her heart started to pound when she realized it was Porter’s vehicle.

A lump crowded her throat as she watched him get out and head up the steps. Had he come to let her know about the situation being resolved, and then was he going to leave?

“Hi, Porter.” She raised her chin.

He reached the porch and looked down at her. His expression was hard to read as usual, but there was a softness to his eyes that he only had when looking at his sister, and when he was looking at her.

“Can I come in?” His voice was hesitant, not like his usual directness.

“Okay.” She led the way in, and he closed the door behind him. When they faced each other, she said, “I heard your problem was over a couple of weeks ago. ”

He shoved his hands in his front pockets like he didn’t know what to do with them. “I’m sorry I didn’t come over right away.”

She straightened. “You left me over something that could eventually be resolved and didn’t think enough of me to let me stand by your side.”

He took her by her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I did what I thought was best. You didn’t need to be dragged down by what was happening in my life.”

She put her hands on his chest and tried to push him away, but he was rock-solid. “I should have been given that choice.”

“I can’t say I’m sorry enough.” He searched her gaze. “I haven’t come sooner because Ashley’s been in poor health. I had to pull her from school for the last couple of weeks, but she’s finally doing better.”

All of Leeann’s anger drained away. She gripped her hands in his shirt, her heart pounding for a different reason. “Is she going to be okay?”

“The doc thinks so.” Porter sighed. “The initial treatment didn’t work, so he started her on something else.”

“Oh, Porter.” She hugged him, and he wrapped his arms around her. She breathed in his scent, which she had missed more than she’d realized. “I’m so sorry you two have had to go through this alone.”

He drew back but still held her. “I’m adopting Ash.”

“That’s wonderful.” Leeann smiled at him. “That girl loves you like a father.”

“And I love her just as much.” He hooked his finger under her chin and looked into her eyes. “There’s only one thing missing in my life, and that’s you.”

Her breath caught in her chest.

He lowered his head and kissed her, soft and sweet. When they parted, he released her, and he took a step back and her heart stuttered .

He fished a brown velvet box out of his pocket. He opened it, and inside was nested a one-carat round diamond in an old-fashioned setting. Smaller diamonds ringed the large one, and more ran along each side.

Leeann stared at the ring for a moment then looked into his eyes.

He smiled. “Will you marry me?”

“I—I.” She sucked in her breath, unable to speak.

“Will it help if I get down on one knee?” He searched her gaze. “You mean more to me than I can explain. I’ve missed you, and you’re right, I probably shouldn’t have left to begin with. I promise from this moment on we will always make important decisions together.”

“No, you shouldn’t have left.” She smiled. “But you’re here now, and that’s what counts.”

“Your answer?” He took the ring out of the box.

“Put that ring on my finger.” She held her hand out. “Yes, I will marry you.”

He took her left hand and slid on the ring. Then he brought her into his arms and crushed her to him. “I love you, Leeann. You’re making me the happiest man alive.”

“I love you, Porter.” She tipped her face back, grinning. “Now kiss me.”

His kiss was much more powerful, filled with all the pent-up need that they both felt after too long of a separation.

When they finally broke the kiss, she searched his gaze. “We didn’t talk about kids. We have Ashley, but I really want at least four more.”

“That’s a tall order.” He pushed hair behind her ear. “But yes, honey, I’m on board with that.”

He kissed her again, and she didn’t think it was possible to ever feel happier than she did in that moment .

After taking a train from Prague to Vienna, Porter and Leeann stayed at a four-star hotel. Today, they were on an excursion from Vienna to Budapest. It had been a fabulous honeymoon that she didn’t want to end. They’d married two months ago, just weeks after his proposal, but put off the trip until after her spring book release.

Ashley was making great progress, so they felt leaving her for their trip was okay. She was staying with Leeann’s parents during Porter and Leeann’s three-week vacation, and the girl had started babysitting some of the young ones.

Porter had filed the adoption papers after they were married, so both their names were down as her legal parents.

“You’re sure you feel fine?” Porter asked yet again as he rested his arm around her shoulders.

Leeann looked at him with amusement. “I’m only two months along, and the baby and I are both doing well. The doctor said travel was perfectly fine, and you know it.”

She looked away from him at St. Stephen's Basilica, a World Heritage site and the third largest church in Hungary.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Leeann gripped Porter’s hand, and they strolled across the square. They paused to take a selfie in front of it.

“Would you like me to take a picture of you two?” A young woman, Kimberley, who was on the small-group excursion with them, came up to where they stood.

“Yes, please.” Leeann handed her phone to Kimberley.

They stood in front of the church, took hands, and kissed.

“Perfect.” Kimberley handed the phone back to Leeann. “You are such a great couple.”

Leeann thanked the young woman. Porter gripped Leeann’s hand and smiled down at her. “I love you, honey.

“You’d better.” She smiled. “You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life. ”

“And I couldn’t be happier about it.” He chuckled.

“Good, ’cause I love you like crazy.” She smiled, and then his lips met hers in a kiss that showed just how much in love they were.