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Problem was, the more he was around Sadie, the less he wanted to retreat.

“I need to finish the window.” He glanced across the room to the hole in the wall that gave a perfect view of the island haven.

“Thank you, by the way.” Sadie waved a hand toward the window. “I appreciate you fixing it.” She tapped the book. “And for this.”

“Thank me by following your dream. That’s what your sister would’ve wanted.” He reached for the replacement glass he’d picked up from Smith’s Hardware.

Their eyes tangled as Sadie moved toward him. Standing on her tiptoes, she rested a hand on his shoulder, then brushed the lightest of kisses against his lips.

Asher tightened his grip on the glass so he didn’t drop it on her foot. He leaned in and kissed her with more depth, more promise, more hope for their future.

He wanted to assure her she’d never be alone if he was a part of her life, but he couldn’t promise that.

Not yet.

But soon.

His heart picked up pace as her hand slid behind his neck and pulled him to her. He savored the taste of hope on her lips.

Then she pulled away and pressed her forehead against his. “Thank you.”

Her breathy voice curled through him. She had a way of getting under his skin. He swallowed a groan and took a step back as he forced his blood pressure to normalize.

He nodded, not trusting his voice.

Still holding on to the glass, he watched her head out the front door. Then he leaned a shoulder against the wall and sighed.

He needed to come clean and pray she could forgive him. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for healing and a future together.

Inspired by Asher’s faith in her, Sadie felt something she hadn’t experienced in years—hope.

Hope in renewed dreams. Hope in new beginnings. Maybe even hope in love.

Was it possible to risk her heart again?

The lines she wrote last night spoke of embracing life, embracing love, and healing the scars from her past.

What would it be like to embrace a future with Asher?

Only time would tell.

She slid the journal Asher had given her into the side pocket of her tote and slung it over her shoulder. Then she reached for the large box containing their costumes that she’d picked up from the post office yesterday after leaving Asher at the bakery. She wanted to pull them out and look at them, but she resisted.

She and Asher could discover them together.

Shifting the box, which was heavier than expected, she headed down Gran’s front porch and made her way across the backyard to the ranch.

A light shone in the barn, so Asher was up.

Seemed like the man slept very little.

Even late at night, a light was on either in the house or in the barn.

Morning sunshine hovered over the horizon, cast in a haze with a mix of clouds. While the air was a little cool, the forecast predicted a warm day. As she drew closer to the barn, the scent of hay floated through the air.

She stood in the doorway and searched for Asher.

Gus stood in the aisle, tethered by leads on either side of him, while a man with salt and pepper hair bent over the huge animal’s hoof.