That Day, Karen Deen [early readers .txt] 📗

enough of them. The tears are still running, but they’re happy tears.

“Ghost has been keeping us up to date with what was happening, and as soon as it was safe again, Kurt told him to bring us here immediately.” Mom’s also crying, and I don’t think either of us will be stopping anytime soon.

When I turn to look at him, he just shrugs his shoulders, like it was nothing.

This man continues to surprise me at every turn.

“Come here.” I motion him closer with my hand. I step out of my parents’ arms back into Kurt’s.

“Mom, Dad, I want you to meet Kurt, the man I love, and I hope you will too.” I step up onto my toes and kiss him on the lips quickly. “I know you met before, but that part of our lives is another world away now, and we are all different people from that experience. So, let’s start fresh.”

I know it sounds ridiculous, but I don’t want them to always think of Kurt as the person who saved their lives. I want them to know him for the amazing man he is every day of the week.

Kurt the builder.

My surfer boy with the hottest ass.

The only person who has managed to tame Coco.

And the most sensual lover I’ve ever had. But perhaps they don’t need to know that part.

“Pleased to meet you, Kurt. I’m Rhett Burns, and this is my wife, Diana. All I ask is that you treat my daughter with the love and respect she deserves. Oh, and for goodness’ sake, can you keep her safe?” We all burst out laughing now, and the moment is broken.

I hadn’t even noticed we were on our own until I hear Bessy’s little voice from down the hallway. “Please, Daddy, can I go now? They have stopped crying and hugging.”

Kurt and I look at each other, and it dawns on us that she had been kept out of the room for the reunion.

“Did I hear a little girl by the name of Bessy somewhere close by?” Kurt’s voice booms into the room.

“Yes, yes, yes!” she screams as she comes running flat out towards Kurt and climbs him like a monkey. “I missed you.” She kisses his cheek, and her little arms attach firmly around his neck, so he won’t run away anytime soon.

“Excuse me, where’s my kiss and cuddle?” I pretend to pout. Bessy almost leaps out of Kurt’s arms directly into mine. Thank god I was ready and didn’t drop her.

“Group hug!” Bessy squeals as Kurt wraps both me and her up in one giant squishy cuddle.

My dad takes my mom in his arms; they look as happy as I remember them.

“Suits them.” Mom looks at me with a twinkle in her eye.

“Whoa, don’t even get any ideas yet. Kurt and I deserve a life together with no pressure before we start giving you grandkids.”

“Did you hear that, Rhett? We’re getting grandkids.”

To which I groan, and Kurt bursts out laughing.

“You think it’s funny now, but just you wait. She won’t give up now. You don’t need to encourage her.” I put Bessy down, and she runs off now to find Ghost and Cassie.

“Bold of you to assume my mother will be any different.” Kurt is still smiling like he has just received the golden ticket.

“I think your mother and I are going to be great friends by the sound of it,” my mom says. And finally, the reality of it sinks in with Kurt.

“Is it still too late to run off to a faraway land?”

“Yes!” both my parents reply at the same time.

Later that night, we wander back to the cabin, hand in hand, after leaving my parents in the main house for some much-needed rest. We are both lost in our own happiness.

Tonight, I finally feel free.

My parents are back where they belong with me.

The man I love is by my side and already the apple of my parents’ eyes.

Although we still have a few things to sort out, I know life is good, and it’s only going to get better.

Closing the door, Kurt starts kissing up the back of my neck. “How about we start practicing for those grandkids?”

My body is already shivering at the thought of his hands on me again, but I can’t help but laugh. “You are insatiable, like you even need an excuse.”

He turns me around so we’re looking into each other’s eyes. “Says the woman who begged me to fuck her the first night we met.”

My heart is thumping and my body warms with the love I feel running through my veins. “That day was different,” I whisper.

“Yeah, you’re right, baby.” His lips are back on my neck just below my ear, softly kissing me, and in that voice that he knows makes me weak in the knees, he replies, “That day was the beginning of our forever.”

Epilogue

A year later

KURT

Walking up the sand, board tucked under my arm, flicking my hair from side to side so I can get most of the water out before I reach the house, I see Coco pounding down the beach towards me.

She knows the rules in the morning. No waking Momma as we creep out of the bedroom at the first light of the day. She goes for a quick run up and down the sand while I stand and assess the waves, but once I enter the water, she is to go back up the stairs and sit on the porch, listening for any noise in the house that she thinks I might be needed for.

“Hey, girl, how is the home front? All in order up there?” I give her a scratch on her head while she trots beside me.

Looking up and seeing the family all on the porch in the distance, my heart fills with happiness.

“Although, your guard-dog skills are still lacking, Coco, I see Seth is here. Remember you’re supposed to keep that freeloader out.” She looks up and barks and continues walking with me.

“Yeah,