Destined (The Rangers of Ridge County #1)

Chapter Fifty-Nine

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

MILLIE

“ A ll your scans look good,” the doctor stated at my follow-up appointment two weeks later. Emmett visibly relaxed in his seat at the older man’s assessment, making me grin.

“You are allowed to resume normal activity,” he continued. “Unless you have any problems, we’ll see you in six months.”

“Thank you so much!” I exclaimed excitedly as I hopped off the exam table. Grabbing my purse, I pulled Emmett up and into the hallway. Waving to the receptionist, we pushed through the front door and into the sunshine.

Thankfully, today’s experience was completely different compared to the last time I was here.

Once we were in his truck, he turned out of the parking lot and headed in the direction of Sips.

“What do you want for supper tonight?” I asked Emmett as he pulled into a parking space in front of his sisters’ shop. “Oh! What about Rita’s Special from the grill?” I suggested, not in the mood to cook.

Emmett climbed out and walked to my side. Pulling open the door, he reached for my hand. “I’ve got supper covered, honey.”

“Really?!” I asked eagerly. “What are we having?”

“It’s a surprise,” he replied flirtatiously, tugging me out of the truck and into his arms .

I pouted, and he laughed—leaning down to place a tender kiss on my lips.

“All in good time,” he whispered with a swat to my ass, ushering me forward.

The smell of coffee beans and vanilla greeted us as we stepped inside. Rory and Jenny were both behind the counter and seemed frazzled.

They spun, their eyes widening comically.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, worried something might be amiss.

“Greer wants updates,” Rory shrieked.

“Hourly updates,” Jenny clarified.

I rolled my lips to keep my laughter in but was unsuccessful when Rory held up what they had been working on. Emmett roared, clutching at his middle.

I couldn’t tell what it was supposed to be because it didn’t appear edible. And it definitely wasn’t close to the caliber of what Greer served to customers.

“Maybe you should just stick to drinks for now,” I suggested.

“Customers will understand,” Emmett huffed, trying to catch his breath.

“Did you two need something?” Rory grumbled sourly. “Or did you just come in to make fun of our baking?”

Emmett sobered, and I gave her a reassuring smile—realizing we might have actually hurt her feelings.

“Two teas to go, please,” I said as Emmett slid a ten across the counter to Jenny who hurried to fix our drinks.

“I hate baking!” Rory finally exclaimed, throwing her hands up then smacking them against her jeans—flour wafting into the air. “This is why I own a bookstore,” she continued, pointing up the stairs.

The door opened behind us, and Jenny passed us our cups then moved to the register to take the new customer’s order.

Greer was already champing at the bit to come back to work, but her doctor refused to release her—claiming the stress would negatively impact her healing. She’d been staying at the ranch with Abigail and Greyson.

We decided as a family staying in the Valley would keep her mind off things here. Though, I wondered if the stress from being away was worse because of the distance.

A few more customers walked in, and Emmett and I said our goodbyes. I blew Rory a kiss on our way out the door, and she caught it with a smile.

We were almost home when the Bennett farmhouse came into view. I couldn’t see it from the road, but I knew there was a sign posted on the front door marking the house condemned. Good fucking riddance .

Frank continued to drink himself into a stupor, regularly causing a scene at local bars.

The charges against Dustin had been dropped—all except the assault upon a law enforcement officer. But a drug possession charge was added once the department was able to connect him to the motor lodge and a room full of Thumper.

Emmett hadn’t shared much about Thomas Jones, but he did say the FBI had taken interest in Jones’s homemade film collection and was able to confidently close a handful of cold cases with them.

There was no record of him in the area until a year ago. Evidently, he stopped for a night at Mountain View Motor Lodge and never left. The manager admitted to striking a deal with him—free extended stay lodging if he worked the front desk a few nights a week. As fate would have it, he’d started at Tim’s the week before I arrived in Ranger Ridge.

Turning into our driveway drove those thoughts from my mind.

The view stole my breath every single time.

It was still hard to believe I lived here. Though, I wasn’t sure for how much longer.

I hadn’t brought it up to Emmett, but I priced apartments in town. I loved him, and living here with him was a dream come true. But I couldn’t help wondering what might happen if I overstayed my welcome.

And I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him .

Not now.

Not ever.

Not after everything we’d been through.

“What’s on your mind, honey?” Emmett asked, peering over at me after he put the truck in park.

Sighing, I glanced down at the console then over at him—reminded of our first night together.

“Just appreciating the view,” I answered, letting my eyes roam his body before meeting his stare—the brilliant green alight with so much love.

I leaned over and brushed a kiss across his lips, my tongue dipping in for a quick taste. When I pulled back, he gripped my chin with his thumb and forefinger—bringing me back for another quick peck.

“There’s no view more perfect than mine,” he whispered—his gaze never leaving mine.

At least, not until my stomach growled.

“I’m going to get started on supper,” Emmett stated as we climbed from the truck. “Why don’t you take the time to relax? A soak in the hot tub maybe? Or a nap,” he suggested. Both of which sounded delightful.

“A nap sounds nice,” I hummed as we stepped inside.

With another kiss, I left him to his surprise.

At some point over the course of the past month, Emmett slowly moved a majority of my things into his room. My clothes hung in his closet, and my toiletries lined the primary bathroom sink.

I couldn’t imagine leaving this love nest we’d created, but I didn’t want Emmett to think I was taking advantage of his hospitality. Maybe we needed the opportunity to grow our relationship without the added element of being roommates. Even if the idea felt wrong every time I truly considered it.

Looking out the window, I spied the sinking sun behind the mountain range in the distance. Its descent created a whirlwind of colors—shades of orange, pink, and purple blending together so breathtakingly they drew me closer. The oversized leather chair greeted me like an old friend, wrapping me in its warm embrace.

I watched as the sun disappeared, and the sky darkened. At some point, I must have fallen asleep.

When I woke, night had settled beyond the window.

How long had I slept?

Climbing from beneath the cozy blanket Emmett must have covered me with, I followed the aroma of food down the hallway.

When I walked into the kitchen, the sight of Emmett plating lasagna made my heart soar.

His eyes rose to meet mine, and I beamed. The smirk he gave me in return had me flushing with heat—heat I could also feel low in my belly.

He stretched across the island to set our plates in front of where I stood and came around to pull out my chair.

“This looks delicious!” I exclaimed, waiting for him to sit before digging in.

“Hopefully it tastes as good as the one I made for our first date,” he replied.

“I don’t remember that being a date,” I said. Though, I had suffered a couple of head injuries since then.

“It definitely was,” he responded with a grin. “We might not have defined it as such, but it was.”

I nodded, forking a bite into my mouth.

Emmett’s knee brushed my thigh as he adjusted in his seat, and I threw a smirk of my own his way.

We ate in comfortable silence, only interrupted by the oven’s timer.

Emmett pushed out of his seat, grabbing our dirty plates and depositing them in the sink before opening the oven door.

“Chocolate cake, too?” I squealed. “What are we celebrating?”

“Us,” he stated simply.

“Us?” I asked, hoping he would elaborate.

“Our life together,” Emmett answered. “Here.”

I nodded my head, collecting my thoughts. I hated to ruin such a perfect moment, but if he wanted me to leave—I needed to know.

“About that,” I started. He cocked an eyebrow at my words but stayed quiet. My hands grew clammy, and I wrung them in front of me. “I’ve been looking at apartments. Since you caught Thomas, the threat is gone,” I word-vomited. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” I added in a whisper.

“You promised to stay,” Emmett said, his expression blank.

I furrowed my brows. “In Ranger Ridge,” I replied slowly.

“Here,” he growled. “With me. Always.”

“Always?” I asked, feeling hopeful.

“Forever,” he declared.

After eating our weight in chocolate cake, we ended up on the couch in the living room. Emmett sat on one end with a tumbler of bourbon in his hand and Jet at his feet. I watched him over the rim of my wine glass, entranced by his mere presence in my life. So much had happened since the last time we sat in these exact spots.

“Come here,” he said, beckoning me from where I was on the other end. And with my glass in hand, I slid—bumping hips with him as I snuggled against his chest.

He took the near empty glass from my hand and set it beside his on the end table then pulled me onto his lap.

I moved to straddle him, and he tugged me close—his gaze locked on my mouth.

“I want a redo,” his lips whispered against mine.

“Of what?” I asked puzzled.

“Our first date,” he stated, as if it should have been obvious. “Or the ending at least.”

“You cheated at that train game.” I remembered with a scowl.

“Not that,” Emmett scoffed. “This,” he clarified as his lips landed on mine—all-consuming.

His hands roamed as our tongues tangled.

“I should have kissed you that night,” Emmett panted. “And I’ve regretted it ever since.”

“You’ve made up for it,” I assured him, angling for more .

“I love you,” he said as he pressed my body flush with his. “So damn much.”

“And I love you,” I whispered, leaning back. “But I want a redo, too…Ticket to Ride,” I specified when he tilted his head in confusion. “I want a rematch.”

“I told you, it’s all about strategy,” he said with a shake of his head.

“And I’m telling you,” I said, determination lacing each word. “You’re going down, Emmett Ranger.”