"You have plants." Savannah sounds genuinely surprised as she touches the leaf of a thriving pothos.
"They clean the air." I shrug, uncomfortable with her scrutiny of my private space. "And they don't talk back."
"It's nice." She moves further into the house, studying the framed photographs on the wall. My brothers and I on a fishing trip. Ridge working with one of his falcons. Jax in his firefighter gear before the accident. "Your family?"
"My brothers." I stand behind her, close enough to smell her perfume but not touching. "Ridge and Jax."
"You look alike." She points to Jax. "Especially you and him."
"Jax is the oldest. Ex wildland firefighter. Now runs a wilderness program for troubled youth." I point to the otherphoto. "Ridge is the youngest. Works as a hunting guide. Bit of a loner."
"And you're the middle brother." She turns to face me, suddenly very close. "The blacksmith with the bad reputation."
"That's me." I don't back away. "Sure you want to hitch your wagon to mine, Savannah?"
Her eyes drop to my mouth, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. "I made my choice."
The air between us thickens. I want to kiss her again. Want to see if that first explosive connection was a fluke or if the chemistry between us is really as potent as it felt. Her eyes darken as if reading my thoughts, her body swaying slightly toward mine.
A pounding on the door shatters the moment.
"Reeves!" Sheriff Parker's voice carries clearly through the wood. "Open this door right now."
Savannah jumps back like she's been burned, eyes wide. "He followed us here."
"Of course he did." I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "You ready for this?"
She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "As I'll ever be."
I move to open the door, placing myself between Savannah and her father out of pure instinct. Sheriff Parker stands on my porch, face flushed with anger, one hand resting meaningfully on his sidearm.
"Where is my daughter?" he demands without preamble.
"Right here, Dad." Savannah steps around me, her head high despite the slight tremor in her voice. "And I can explain everything."
"Explain?" His eyes lock on the ring glittering on her finger. "Explain how my daughter is suddenly engaged to the fucking town criminal? Please, do explain that, Savannah."
"Watch your mouth," I warn, my protective instincts flaring. "I haven't been charged with anything in over a decade."
"Colt," Savannah places a restraining hand on my arm. "Let me handle this."
But Sheriff Parker has already pushed past me, entering my home without invitation. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, Reeves, but it stops now."
I close the door, leaning against it and crossing my arms. "This isn't a game. Savannah and I are getting married."
"The hell you are." Sheriff Parker turns to his daughter. "Get in the car, Savannah. We're leaving."
"I'm twenty-two years old." Savannah's voice is steel wrapped in silk. "I'm not going anywhere."
The standoff stretches between them, father and daughter locked in a battle of wills while I watch from the sidelines. For the first time, I see where Savannah gets her stubbornness. The same unyielding determination glares back from both sets of eyes.
Sheriff Parker breaks first, turning his fury on me instead. "What did you do to her? Blackmail? Manipulation? Some kind of sick revenge against me?"
"He didn't do anything," Savannah interjects before I can respond. "This was my idea."
Her father's face registers shock, then disbelief. "What are you talking about?"
Savannah takes a deep breath, her fingers finding mine and intertwining. "I love him, Dad. And we're getting married. With or without your blessing."
