Redemption Hills: The Complete Collection

51. Tessa

FIFTY-ONE

TESSA

I wondered if we all knew how surreal this moment was when Milo pulled to a stop in front of the cabin.

Because the four of us just sat there for a moment. In silence. In recognition. In joy and happiness and some nerves, too, because this was brand-new for all of us.

We were permanently bringing Remy and Scout home.

I glanced over at Milo, who had turned to look at me.

He was so…everything.

Big and intimidating and rough.

Soft and kind and real.

My Beautiful Beast.

He slanted me a tender smile, and my insides lit up.

My man was as yummy as could be, and it looked like we were going to have to curb a little of our cake time.

That was just fine, and I knew Milo well enough to know we’d get creative.

A smirk lit on his delicious mouth like he knew exactly what I was thinking, then he shifted the Tahoe into park and shut off the engine.

“We’re home.”

That deep voice rang with loyalty.

We were home.

Scout was unbuckled in a flash and poked his head up between us. “Is Gramma coming over? She better. I think she’s going to want to listen to me read this book.”

He pulled it from his backpack, all kinds of hopeful.

Devotion spread across Milo’s face. “Yeah, she’s going to be here later for dinner.”

“I can’t even wait to see her. She’s going to be really excited about how much I’ve learned to read since the last time I saw her,” he said as he jumped out the door.

Remy unbuckled and shifted forward, and she leaned up, too.

Her demeanor was so different from her brother’s.

Each so unique.

“I’m really glad we’re here.”

Milo shifted in his seat. “I’m really glad you’re here, too, Remy Girl. It’s the best day of my life.”

“Well, I am pretty great.” Remy giggled when she said it, testing out the tease.

Milo sent me a faked scowl. “It seems she’s been hanging around someone else I know a little too much.”

“Get used to it, buddy.” I patted him on the shoulder in mock sympathy. “Because Remy-T Wreckers are together at last. Permanently.”

I shifted so I could reach out my hand and offer Remy my pinkie.

She hooked hers in mine, her face turning red as we shook, but joy shined in her eyes.

My chest expanded to overflowing.

God, I loved her.

Loved Scout.

Loved Milo, who watched us with this gentleness that sent my insides fluttering.

Nope, I was never going to get enough of the man.

Maybe we’d had some hard times getting to this place—where he could trust himself to love me, but he’d taken the chance.

Made the choice.

And he’d chosen to love me.

Fully and completely and without reservation.

“We’d better get inside before your brother tears down the house,” Milo finally said.

“You are not prepared for what you’re in for.” Remy shook her head, completely serious.

Milo reached out and took my hand. “I’m in for it all.”

“You asked for it,” she mumbled as she slipped out from the back seat.

Milo…he just smiled.

Smiled this wistful, hopeful, awed smile.

“Thank you for believing in me, Little Dove. For seeing something in me that I couldn’t see in myself.”

I leaned over and scratched my fingernails through his beard.

Energy thrummed.

A hum of satisfaction, loyalty, and need.

“I’m so glad it got to be me.”

He pressed his forehead to mine and murmured in his rumbly way, “It’s always you. How could I live without the sun?”

“I love you,” I whispered at his lips.

“Mad, mad love.”

He kissed me quick, then he angled back as he sent me a grin. “How about we go inside with our kids?”

A rush of anticipation blazed.

“I approve of this plan.”

We both climbed out, and he took my hand at the front of the SUV.

We’d done it for months, visiting the kids at the park since Paula had put the kibosh on visitations at Milo’s house, going back on the promise that Gene had wanted to come to some sort of agreement.

Milo’s goal had never been to keep the kids from their grandparents.

Remy and Scout would be spending Friday nights there, at least for the time being, until their activities got crazy and their schedules changed.

But Milo refused the bitterness that could linger and chose grace.

He chose love.

He chose to live for what was right.

And today?

We walked toward his kids who were arguing in the doorway, fighting over who got to sit by their grandma when she came, realizing this was it.

They were home.

I grinned over at Milo.

He grinned back at me, and he murmured, “We have this, baby.”

We stepped into the house and into our future, and I shut the door behind us as I whispered, “Yeah, we do.”