Chapter 6 - A Life Worth ChoosingOne year later.
The morning sun rose over the rolling green hills of Woodstock, Vermont, painting the autumn leaves in brilliant shades of gold, crimson, and burnt orange.
The air was crisp and sweet, filled with the scent of pine, damp earth, and woodsmoke blowing from the chimney of the two-story stone house overlooking the lake.
Down by the fenced pastures of the Thornton Animal Sanctuary, three rescued German Shepherds and a three-legged Golden Retriever were running happily across the grass, chasing a flock of wild ducks near the pond.
Sitting on the wide wooden porch, wrapped in a cozy wool blanket, was Titan.
He looked majestic. His silver coat was thick and healthy, his body heavy and muscular once more. He wasn't the dying hound from the penthouse floor; he was the proud guardian of the sanctuary, watching over every animal that stepped onto the land.
The kitchen door creaked open.
I stepped onto the porch, carrying two steaming mugs of hazelnut coffee. My hair was tied up in a loose bun, my cheeks flushed pink from the morning chill, wearing an oversized flannel shirt that belonged to Jared.
Sitting on the porch steps, adjusting his leather work gloves after helping repair the horse barn fence, was Jared.
He had changed over the past year.
He still managed his legal global shipping holdings from a sleek home office in the main house, but the cold, murderous aura of the underworld boss had softened into something rugged, grounded, and deeply peaceful. His dark hair was slightly longer, his eyes bright, his laugh frequent.
"Coffee's ready," I said, leaning down to set a mug beside him.
Jared turned, grabbing my hand before I could pull away, pulling me gently down until I was sitting on his lap. He wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his face in my neck, breathing in the scent of my skin.
"Good morning, beautiful," he murmured, his lips pressing a warm kiss against my collarbone.
"Good morning, farmer," I teased, running my fingers through his dark hair. "You did a terrible job on the east gate, by the way. Miles had to re-wire the latch."
Jared laughed softly against my neck. "Miles is a perfectionist. I'm a billionaire, not a carpenter."
"You're learning," I smiled, leaning back to look at him.
In the distance, an SUV pulled up the dirt driveway. Miles stepped out, wearing comfortable jeans and a sweater—looking far more like a family uncle than a mob enforcer—holding a clipboard with the arrival documents for two new dog rescues coming from an overcapacity shelter in Boston.
Titan trotted down the porch steps to greet Miles, his tail wagging happily.
Jared looked out over the sprawling green land, then looked back at me. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a simple, elegant rose-gold ring set with a flawless cushion-cut diamond.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
"Jared..."
Jared took my left hand, holding it gently in his large, warm palm. His gray eyes were filled with an intense, unwavering devotion that made my heart leap.
"One year ago, you walked into my penthouse with a mop bucket waiting for you in Brooklyn," Jared said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "You saved Titan. You saved me. You gave a broken man a reason to build something beautiful instead of destructive."
He slid the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly.
"Willa Thornton," Jared whispered, looking deep into my eyes. "Will you do me the honor of making this sanctuary our home forever? Will you marry me?"
Tears of pure, overwhelming happiness filled my eyes. I didn't hesitate for a single second.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss that tasted of sweet coffee and autumn rain.
May you like
"Yes," I whispered against his lips. "Yes, Jared. Absolutely yes."
From the bottom of the porch steps, Titan let out a deep, joyful bark that echoed across the quiet Vermont hills, carrying our story into the bright, endless morning light.
