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She blinked twice, not quite believing her eyes, before shoving her chair back and racing across the room. She launched herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he caught her effortlessly. Deacon held her close, his hands gripping her firmly as he kissed her deeply.
Fleur gasped audibly, and Echo managed a quick glance, noticing Ronan standing just behind Deacon with a broad grin. Deacon broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, and Echo took a deep breath—then almost gagged.
"Oh my God, you stink!" she said, pinching her nose.
Deacon laughed heartily. "Eighteen hours on a transport plane with no showers," he admitted unapologetically.
"I don’t care," she said nasally, her fingers still pinching her nose. Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his once more.
"Uh, we care.” Charley’s voice interrupted from across the room.
Deacon turned to glare at his sister. "This doesn’t involve you. Go away."
"You do have a bit of an odor," Gabriel remarked dryly, holding his finger under his nose for dramatic effect.
Ronan clapped Deacon on the shoulder. "Let’s grab a shower so we can be polite company."
Deacon nodded, gently setting Echo back on her feet. "I’ll be right back," he promised, stealing another quick kiss before he and Ronan bounded up the stairs, taking them three at a time.
Echo turned to Anna, her eyes wide. "You knew!"
Anna tilted her head with a sly smile. "Maybe."
Fleur laughed. "So, that’s why we had to talk about the charities in Virginia and not in Colorado."
Anna grinned and linked arms with both women, leading them toward a cozy sitting room off the main living area. She shut the door behind them and turned to face them with a serious expression.
"Ladies, I want to tell you something, and you can take it at face value," Anna began. "There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my boys—except interfere in their relationships—most of the time."
Fleur frowned slightly, and Anna turned to her first. "Fleur, you’ve been waiting to decide if Ronan will always love you. Sweetheart, there’s never a guarantee. None of us can promise what tomorrow will bring. But I know my boy’s heart. If he’s given it to you, he won’t give it to anyone else."
Fleur’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she nodded.
Then Anna turned to Echo. "And you." She pointed at her, her gaze unwavering.
Echo blinked, her mouth falling open. "Me?"
"Yes, you. You know your mind. You know exactly what you should do. And you need to do it. You need to tell him."
Echo’s eyes widened further, and her voice faltered. "How do you know?—?"
"I’m an old woman. I’ve seen a lot in my life, so I’m entitled to be honest," Anna said as she rose from her chair. "You women know your hearts; you understand your own minds. Now, stand up and be present in your own lives." She paused at the door, her gaze steady and warm. "I’m going to get dessert ready, and I’ll let the boys know where you are."
With that, Anna left the room, leaving Fleur and Echo sitting in contemplative silence.
Fleur shifted uneasily before breaking the silence. "What were you supposed to tell him?"
Echo sighed and looked across at Fleur, her expression a mix of vulnerability and resolve. "That I love him," she admitted. "He knows how I feel, and I know how he feels. But the words—theactual words—without hedging or dancing around them, haven’t been said."
Fleur nodded slowly, her fingers toying nervously with her nails. After a pause, she asked, "How long have you known Deacon?"
Echo laughed softly, the sound tinged with the weight of memories. "It feels like a lifetime because of everything we’ve been through, but in reality, it’s been almost two months."
Fleur’s eyes widened in surprise, and her lips parted slightly. "Two months?" She seemed taken aback, her voice edged with curiosity and a touch of doubt. "Do you think what’s between you will last?"
The question lingered in the air, reflecting Fleur’s uncertainty. Echo got up from her seat and sat next to Fleur, her tone gentle yet confident. "I’m more worried about losing any time I might have with him," she said sincerely. "As Anna mentioned, nothing is guaranteed. I understand what he does, and I know he loves it. I’m ready to accept him as he is, and I think he’s ready to accept me as I am." Her gaze grew distant for a moment, reflecting on her own words. "If ten years, fifteen years, or thirty years from now we’ve grown apart, then I’ll have had ten, fifteen, or thirty years of love and friendship with an amazing man. I’m not afraid of the future," she said firmly. "I’m afraid of losing any time with him now."
Fleur nodded slowly, chewing on her bottom lip as she absorbed Echo’s perspective. Her hesitation was palpable, but her expression showed she considered the words deeply.