He pulled me over on top of him and held me fast against his body as he stroked my hair. “I love Pam’s kids, and I knew I’d be excited to have my own one day, but I never thought it could feel like this. I’m humbled and just . . .”

The emotion in his voice had made it husky, and the awe in it made me cry harder.

“You’ve made me so happy,” he said softly. “I finally feel like my life is complete. Like I’m a part of something bigger than myself.” He kissed my shoulder and then released his hold on me. “Shit! Am I squeezing too tight? I don’t want to squish my kid.”

I chuckled and yanked his arms back around me. “No way, José. You better keep squeezing me. I’m sure the baby loves it.”

“Sometimes I lie awake at night and watch you sleep, and I wonder what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come into my hotel room that night.” He stroked my cheek gently. “And it makes my insides go cold. What if I was too stupid to come to you, Evie? We might never have found this.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing one of us is a risk taker then, isn’t it?” I teased.

He let out a bark of laughter and started tickling me.

It was official. Daredevil Evie Knievel had successfully pulled off one of the most spectacular death-defying stunts ever.

The prize?

A lifetime of happiness.