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“I understand.”

“I like holding you, you know that, right?” Matthew said, kissing the top of her head and hoping to change the subject. “It’s a good way to start the day.”

“Ditto.” Katherine snuggled even closer. “It’s too bad I have to leave soon. Can I make you something for breakfast before I go?”

“No.” Matthew yawned. “I need sleep more than I need food.”

“Is thereanythingI can do to make you feel better?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Matthew asked Katherine to stay home and spend the day with him.

“I wish I could, but I’ve been away from the diner too much. I really think I should be there today.”

Matthew groaned. More than anything, he wanted to prolong this moment and avoid the inevitable discussion he was dreading.

“But Iamworking on a plan that will allow us more time to be together. In a few weeks, my schedule will be so different you’ll be begging for some time away from me.”

“Not a chance. I’ll always want to be with you.”

“Why don’t you stay here and get some more sleep,” Katherine suggested, slipping out of his embrace and pulling the covers over him. Then she sat on the side of the bed and touched his face. Her soft fingertips traced the curve of his bottom lip, the line of his jaw, and the ridge of his brow.

As she moved her fingers over his skin, he looked up and silently studied each nuance of her face through heavy eyelids and long blinks.

Before long, Matthew felt himself drifting into a warm, tranquil fog. “That feels nice,” he sighed.

“I’m glad you like it when I touch you,” she said, her voice gentle and soothing. Katherine loved moments like this when he let his guard down and let her love him.

“My sweet, sweet man,” she whispered, brushing strands of hair away from his forehead. “You’ve been through so much.”

Captivated by her soothing voice and gentle touch, Matthew allowed himself to fall even further into the peacefulness he was feeling.

“Soon, we’ll have everything we’ve ever wanted, and nothing or no one will ever take away that away from us,” Katherine whispered, easing herself off the edge of the mattress.

Liking the sound of that, Matthew smiled one last time before slipping into a deep slumber.

“Sweet dreams,” she said softly, standing by the bed as she looked down at Matthew. It seemed impossible that they’d found each other. But somehow, they had, and Katherine knew she was ready to spend the rest of her life with him.

** *

Even though she was running a little late, Katherine was still the first person to pull into The Copperwall parking lot. Gathering her things from the passenger seat of her pickup, something caught her eye, and she stopped to gaze out the windshield of her truck.

The warm colors created by the rising sun filled the open sky above the diner, and a smile brightened her face. The same life-renewing, purpose-restoring place she’d transformed and made her own was now about to be the thing that allowed her to pursue other dreams.

Even now, she could hardly believe how much being a part of its history had helped heal her heart and bring some joy backinto her once bleak life. She’d never realized it before, but now she could see how it had become like a baby to her when she so desperately needed something to nurture.

Because of the diner, acquaintances had become friends, and friends grew into what felt like extended family.

Like Beth Ann, Zachary, the Fraser girls, and Grace Chen, who stood by her side day in and day out to see The Copperwall become a place where community and family came together.

Or like Millie Fraser, who had been her mentor and friend and to whom she owed an enormous debt of gratitude. Millie’s generosity and guidance had been pivotal in bringing this place back to life and, in turn, doing the same for Katherine.

Not to mention, Millie had been the tough, no-nonsense, understanding friend and mentor Katherine needed, coming into her life at just the right time. Even now, she knew she could turn to Millie for anything.

Entering the front door, Katherine looked around at how clean and tidy her team had left the place the day before, and her stomach twisted into a knot. It almost hurt knowing that the life of the diner could carry on without her. Leaving her position at the helm wouldn’t be easy, but in her heart, she knew it had to happen if any of her other dreams were to come true. For as much as she loved The Copperwall Diner and everyone connected with it, workers and patrons alike, she wouldn’t compromise what her heart and hopes were leading her to.

Lost in thought, Katherine hadn’t noticed when Beth Ann and Zach pulled into the parking lot.

“Good morning!” Beth Ann called out to her when she entered the building. “Isn’t it a beautiful day?”