The two rangers laughed. Ava fussed, and Luke held out his hands. “That’s our cue to find Mama. I think Ava’s hungry.”
Weston passed the baby over and watched as Luke carried his daughter across the yard and into the house. Grady was stationed behind the grill, tongs in hand, wearing a ridiculous hot dog apron. His wife, Tara, said something that made him laugh. Troopers and sheriff’s deputies filled paper plates with food. Neighbors chatted.
He spotted his boss, Lieutenant Rodriguez, and Emilia at a picnic table. Weston moved to join them.
“Uncle Weston, Uncle Weston.”
The voice carried across the lawn. Weston braced himself as a ball of cyclone energy in pigtails tackled his leg. Grady’s daughter, Maddy, grinned up at him. “Avery and I colored a new drawing for you.”
“Did you now?” He craned his neck. “Where is Avery?”
Avery appeared on the back porch. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and when she caught sight of him, a smile lit up her face. It reached inside Weston and squeezed his heart tight. He loved her smile. Loved making her smile.
Avery brushed a kiss on Weston’s cheek before turning to the little tyke still hanging on his leg. “Maddy, should I give him the picture?”
The little girl nodded. Avery flipped the paper around. A couple holding hands was standing in a field next to a house. Maddy pointed to the woman in the dress. “That’s Avery.” Her finger moved to the giant man standing next to her. “And that’s you.”
Avery winked. “Did you notice you’re the same size as the house?”
He chuckled. “I see that. Thank you, Maddy. It’s wonderful. I’ll hang it on my fridge at home.”
The little girl scampered off to play with some of the other kids. Weston wrapped his arms around Avery. It centered his world to have her close. “How’s your sister? Is she feeling better?”
Avery nodded. “She just needed to lie down. The pregnancy is making her a bit green around the gills.”
Savannah had found out she was pregnant a few days before Nolan kidnapped her, but didn’t share the news with anyone. Not even her husband. After walking out of Nolan’s house, it was the first thing she said when Henry called. He was due to be home before the little one was born.
Avery tightened her hold on his waist. “Rachel called a little while ago. She’s back from vacation and asked if we could get together soon.”
“I’d like that.”
Rachel Long had become a good friend in the last few weeks. She’d recognized Greg Kilbourne aka Nolan Starin as her captor from his voice alone. She told investigators later that when she heard him on the news, it triggered a panic attack.
Weston didn’t like to think about those harrowing moments when he’d broken into the rear bedroom of Nolan’s house. Seeing the killer on top of Avery, choking the life from her, was seared into his brain. He’d slammed into Nolan and set him flying so hard into the opposite wall, it’d left a hole in the sheetrock.
Avery had nearly died. Her windpipe had been severely damaged, but she’d made a full recovery. So had Savannah and Mike. Nolan was charged with multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, and other charges. He would be behind bars forever.
Weston pulled Avery closer, cupping her cheek. “What are the chances we can sneak away for a candlelight dinner later?”
Her eyes sparkled. “I think that can be arranged.”
He ran a thumb over her bottom lip and bent his head to kiss her, but a voice called his name. Weston rested his forehead against Avery’s. “Whose idea was it to invite all these people anyway?”
Avery chuckled. “I think it was yours. And Nana’s.” She slipped out of his arms but took his hand. “Come on. Nana wants to say a few words.”
Weston swallowed hard and let Avery lead him across the yard. His heartbeat increased with every step. His boots thumped against the porch steps, and he tamped down the jittery nerves flapping in his stomach.
Avery’s grandmother, Marla, clapped her hands together to get everyone’s attention. “Okay, okay. Thank you all for coming. We wanted to celebrate today, because there is so much to be grateful for.” Tears filled the older woman’s eyes. “My two granddaughters are here with me, safe and sound, and all of you had a hand in making that happen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The crowd clapped and cheered. Marla waved them into silence again.
“An especially big shout-out goes to this handsome ranger right here.” She placed a hand on his arm. “Weston Donovan, I said it before, but this time, I’m making it public. As far as I’m concerned, you’re an honorary member of the Madison family.”
“Hear, hear,” yelled Savannah.
Weston took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. “Thank you, ma’am. And while I appreciate being an honorary member of the Madison family, I was actually hoping to become more.”
He turned to Avery and took both of her hands in his. Weston dropped to one knee. A collective gasp came from the crowd, and a sudden lump formed in his throat. He’d practiced these words a hundred times, but now that the moment was here, Weston wasn’t sure he could say them.
How could he explain how she’d changed him? Describe the wealth of emotion that swept over him whenever he saw her? Words weren’t good enough, but they were all he had. They would have to do.
Avery’s hands shook and he squeezed them gently.
“Avery, from the moment we met, I knew you were someone special. I’d abandoned the idea of love or marriage or a family. Completely. Then you marched up my driveway armed with a murder case, and changed the course of my life.”
There were a few chuckles. Weston kept his gaze locked on the woman in front of him. He had to get this right.
“You’ve blown me away with your kindness and your bravery. A good friend once
