Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
His voice breaks slightly as he continues, "And what scares me is not whether I can protect her or love her with every part of me…I'm scared of not being able to live up to what she deserves because God knows she deserves more than any man could ever give her."
His hand closes into a fist in his lap as he swallows hard. "She deserves love that's as big as the sky and as deep as the ocean, and all I've got is this grumpy, rough-around-the-edges heart of mine. But it's hers. Every goddamn piece of it. It'll always be hers. And I'll fight for her and her happiness every day. Because more than anything else, she deserves someone who loves her for who she is, not for her name or the fame that comes with her. I don't give a damn about either of those. The only thing I care about is her and protecting her heart. I'd prefer to have your blessing while I do it, but I'll do it without it if I must because I made her a promise the day she put her heart in my hands and asked me to keep it safe for her and I intend on keeping it."
Caleb falls silent, his declaration hanging in the air like a melody. I feel a teardrop slip down my cheek, my heart pounding wildly as I look at this man who loves me, not for what the world thinks I am, but for who I truly am.
My dad's face softens as he reaches over and takes my hand. He looks over at Caleb and nods, a sly grin overtaking his expression. "Now, that's a man worthy of my daughter."
"Dad," I cry, flinging myself into his strong arms. He holds me tight, his chin resting atop my head as I sob.
"I know you're scared," he says, his deep voice rumbling in my ear. "Life is scary but you're braver than you think you are, Sutton." His hands run down my back, grounding me even as I tremble. "I know you think you need to fill our shoes, but you don't, baby girl. All your mom and I want is for you to find the kind of happiness we have."
He pulls back slightly, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine. There's a softness there that tells me he means every word. "You need someone who'll be your rock so that you can fly without fear. That's what I've been for your mom for all these years. She's the real magic. I'm just the lucky motherfucker who got to stand by her side while she set the world on fire."
A sense of peace washes over me at his words and I realize he's right. As much as I value my independence, I crave that solidity too–something… someone to come back to. Somone to call home. I've found that with Caleb.
"You left out something important, Caleb," my dad says as I pull myself to my feet, only to stumble into the table and knock his beer over. "She isn't just anyone. She's a tornado."
"That's part of her charm," Caleb responds with a grin. "She's my kind of storm."
I stick my tongue out at him, eliciting laughter from my parents.
And just like that, amidst the laughter and love, I find forever.My home is in this mountain man's arms. They're gentle enough to give me roots to grow and wings to fly, yet strong enough to hold me together, even through the most difficult times. And when the sun goes down and we're alone, they grip me with enough passion to set the whole damn world on fire.
Epilogue
Caleb
Five Years Later
"Shh, sweet girl," I whisper, cradling my tiny daughter in one hand while I twirl the wind-up mobile over the crib. She blinks blue eyes, watching as the moon and stars rotate around her crib in mesmerizing blues and silvers. The sweet scent of baby powder mixed with lavender from the nightlight infuser fills the nursery. Peaceful bliss.
I never thought I'd see the day my goddamn heart fell to baby powder and lavender, but it crumbled like stone the first time I held our eldest and smelled that sweet baby scent. I knew in that moment that I'd kill to protect her. I feel the same for her baby sister.
Georgia and Daisy are my world, just like their mama. I'd die for the three of them, no questions asked.
The last five years with them have been the best five years of my life. I wouldn't trade a single second. And I make damn sure Sutton knows it. Not a day goes by when I don't tell her how fucking lucky I am to have her.
We split our time between Nashville and Clearwater, snatching quiet moments where we can find them. But my life isn't peaceful and quiet any longer. It's so much more than that. It's fucking perfect.