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“So, a wise man recently told me…”

“You mean Ford?”

“Well, yeah. How’d you know?”

“I saw him back there in the field.”

“Well, he reminded me that I have to trust you, too.” The rain was falling lightly around them, but he barely noticed. His attention was all on her, all on the heartfelt declarations he wanted her to hear. “Leni, you are everything to me, and you’re worth risking it all for. So, I’m trusting you to make your own decisions, but I want you to know that I’m all in. No matter what you decide. If you stay, we’ll make it work. If you take the job and move to Texas, we’ll make it work.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Come on. Are you sayin’ you’d leave Colorado and move to Texas with me?”

“Yeah, I guess that’s what I’m sayin’, if that’s what it takes.” He brushed a lock of hair from her wet cheek. What was it with them and the rain? “I’m trying to tell you that I’m not leaving. And I’m not pushing you away. I’m staying. With you. Wherever you are, I’m going with you. I’m not letting you go again.”

Her face broke into a broad grin. “Well, I’m staying, too.”

“What about NASA? It’s your dream.”

“Getting to be with the cowboy I’ve been in love with for half my life is also my dream. And Chevy, Icando both. You’re right about me weighing all the pros and cons. And I’ve already talked it out with my supervisor. I can stay here and work remotely. I just have to fly to Texas to spend a few days in the office each month.”

“So, you’re really staying?”

“If you’ll come with me to Washington to help me pack up my apartment and drive it all back here.”

“Hell, yes, I will.”

“Then, yeah, I’m really staying.”

He pulled her against him, hugging her tight as he captured her mouth in a kiss. She tasted like rain and summer and hope. “I love you, Leni.”

“I love you too.”

He pulled back to peer down at her, a grin pulling at the corners of his lips. “It’s probably a good thing you’re going to help build rockets for NASA, because I’m going to love you to the moon and back.”

She laughed, a sound he’d never get tired of. “You are a dork.”

“Yeah, but I’m your dork.”

“Yes, you are. But I have one more question, and it’s an important one.”

“Ask me anything.”

“Any chance you know how to tile a bathroom shower?”

The end…