Finn (Breakaway Hockey #4)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Finn

O kay, I don’t know what’s in the thick brush up ahead, but I’m starting to get nervous. Whatever is in there, that motherfucker sounds like it’s big.

As I raise the bear spray so I can hold it out in front of me, I feel Sammie grab the back of my coat with both her hands.

She’s clearly scared and holding onto me for dear life.

But she needn’t worry.

If it comes down to an attack, and the spray doesn’t work—which is always a possibility—I’ll stay and fight. That will give her time to run and get back to the cabin.

I love her so much that I will absolutely lay down my life for her.

There’s no question in my mind.

The movement in the brush intensifies, and whatever is in there is about to emerge onto the trail.

As I continue to hold up the bear spray, I reach back with my other hand to touch Sammie.

“I love you,” I say. And then I tell her, “If it’s a bear and the spray doesn’t work, run back to the cabin as fast as you can.”

“What about you?” she whispers.

“I’ll stay and fight. I’m pretty sure I can hold the bastard off long enough for you to escape.”

She pauses, then, with conviction, she says, “No, you run back to the cabin. I’ll stay.”

Oh my God, I can’t believe we’re arguing about who’s going to save whom.

I’m touched like you wouldn’t believe that she’s willing to go up against a fucking bear to save me, but no way.

“Ah, no, Sammie,” I state firmly. “You run when I tell you to.”

She doesn’t answer, and I think we’re both about to be fucked.

But then, from the brush, the animal emerges.

And…

“It’s a fucking deer!” I exclaim, feeling a wave of relief like I haven’t felt in, well, ever as I lower the bear spray and release one long-ass breath.

We don’t need the spray.

And no one has to run.

Or worse yet, fight.

Thank fuck.

Sammie, still fisting my coat, leans to the right and peeks past me. “Aww,” she coos. “Look! She has her babies with her. That’s why they were making so much noise in the brush. And wow, there are three of them.”

Sure as shit, there are three fawns emerging from the brush to join their black-tailed doe mom.

I relax my shoulders and laugh. “I can’t believe this.”

Sammie lets go of my coat. “Well, at least we were prepared.”

“Speaking of which…” I turn around to face her. “What was with that ridiculous notion of you staying to scare off or fight, of all things, a bear and me running back to the cabin?” I shake my head. “That will never happen, babe. If we ever do encounter a dangerous animal, you get away as fast as you can. I’ll do the fighting.”

“I don’t know if I can do that, Finn,” she says, her eyes holding mine. It’s like all of her heart is reflecting in them. “I love you too much, and I can’t lose you.”

I touch her cheek. “You think I can lose you?”

“I guess not,” she concedes.

“I know not,” I correct.

And then, because I do know I can’t live without her, with my thumb caressing her cheek, I say, “Let’s get married, Sammie.”

Her brows shoot up. “Wait, what?”

I think I may have shocked her more than the possible bear encounter.

“You heard me,” I go on, placing my other hand on the opposite side of her face and depositing one chaste kiss on her lips. Leaning back, I reiterate, “Marry me, Sammie Monroe. You can stay working at Boots and Applebee’s, or do whatever you want—”

“I want you,” she interjects, smiling as her hands come up to cover mine. “And yes, I’ll marry you. But there is one additional thing I want.”

“Anything,” I tell her. “Just name it.”

In a serious tone, she says, “I want to have a family, Finn. I want children.”

The joy I feel in my heart intensifies. Not only is Sammie going to marry me, she wants to have kids with me.

Bringing my lips down to hers, I murmur, “Then that’s what we’ll do, sweetheart. We will have as many kids as you want.”

She pulls back slightly. “Promise?”

I nod. “Yes, I promise.”

We then seal that promise with a kiss, and it just may be our best one yet.