Something lit in Lacey’s eyes, and Mack could tell she knew what was about to happen. She’d always been a little too intuitive when it came to him.
Mack crouched down in front of Bridger, releasing Lacey’s hand before taking both of Bridger’s in his own. “Because I love your mom like that. There will never be anyone else who can steal my heart.”
Bridger smiled. “I know.”
“Ah, but did you know that I feel the same way about you?”
His grin fell from his face, and a different kind of emotion replaced it.
“You’re my everything, kid. You make me want to be a better man—one you can look up to, one you might want to be like one day.” He swallowed stiffly and glanced up to find Lacey brushing at a tear from her cheek. Mack turned his sights to Bridger again. “One day, I’d like to adopt you, too, if that’s okay.”
Bridger’s mouth fell open. “Really?” There was so much hope in his voice that it nearly shattered Mack and his resolve to do what he’d promised himself he would.
“Really, really,” Mack confirmed. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re already mine.”
The boy threw his arms around Mack’s neck and clung to him so tight that Mack nearly stopped breathing. He glanced up at Lacey, and this time, she didn’t wipe the tears that fell down her cheeks.
“I need to ask you something, buddy. Is that okay?” Mack’s eyes didn’t leave Lacey’s until Bridger pulled back and nodded. “Do you know how much I love your mother?”
The boy smiled. “A lot.”
“You’re absolutely right. I love her more than I’ve loved anyone.” Then he winked. “Except for you.”
Bridger snickered and shot his mother a look. She smiled right back.
“And because I love her so much, and I love you, I wanted to ask you if I could marry your mom. Then we could all be one big family. What do you think?”
“That’d be really cool,” Bridger agreed. He glanced once more to his mother. “Right, Mom?”
Lacey only nodded.
Mack shifted, his hands now shaking as he retrieved the most important part of this whole process. His fingers wrapped around the box, and he pulled it out. Lacey gasped, and Bridgerwhooped. The kid jumped up and down in his excitement and grabbed his mother’s hand.
“Look, Mom!”
Dropping down onto one knee, Mack stared up at the woman who had opened his eyes to everything he never knew he wanted out of life. She was the woman who had made him believe in himself so he could have the courage to go after what truly made him happy. She made him feel like he could take on the world and come out on top.
And that was all he’d ever wanted.
Mack took her hand in his. There was so much he wanted to say, and yet he couldn’t find the words for any of it. So he settled on what was the most potent feeling in his heart. “I love you, Lacey. Nothing would make me happier than to be part of your little family if you’ll have me.”
She nodded, no words spilling from her lips as she dropped lower to cradle his face in her hands and press a kiss to his lips.
“I love you, too,” she breathed out when she pulled back. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted and so much more.”
Bridger broke them apart as he jumped into the fray to give Mack another hug. “Me, too.”
“Good,” Mack chuckled. “Because I’ve been thinking about something.”
“What’s that?” Lacey asked, amused, as she pulled him to his feet.
He yanked her to his side, and his lips grazed hers. “That we’d look real cute topping a wedding cake together, wouldn’t you agree?”
Lacey gave him a playful shove, to which he brought her close again and pressed a searing kiss to her lips.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
