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He wanted the same, and he knew, full well, that he couldn’t keep her. That she was going to be gone all too soon. But they would have tonight. They would have this. And he wanted to make it good for her and etch it in his memory.

She turned the tables on him, tossing her leg over his and climbing atop him to discover him the way he had her. She tortured him slowly with her tongue, her teeth, and her hands until he couldn’t take any more. He rolled her over and took her with all the tenderness he could muster, until there was no more restraint or holding back.

They made love long into the night, unable to get enough of each other. They moved together as if they’d been designed that way, until they both came in shattering climaxes and lay, exhausted beside one another. And then they lay talking quietly, the way they had across the phone lines, but now, looking into each other’s eyes, sharing things he never thought he’d say to another person.

She talked about her family and the time before her brother became the enemy. When they’d had a semblance of a relationship the way the Hardesty clan had. And Muriel, whom she loved, was separate from that, but caught in the middle sometimes and how Em wished that wasn’t true. And he told her about his troubles with Will and how they’d let all that go finally, but how he wished he could still resolve things about his father who was gone and hardly missed by any of them.

They talked and made love and finally slept and he dreamed about her walking through his meadow beside a little girl—not Lolly, somehow, he knew that—but a child that looked like her but with his eyes that sparkled as she chased butterflies beside Em.

Now, as he stared at her in the morning light, he reached over to brush a strand of hair off her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled.

“Hi.” The word was groggy and sweet.

“Morning,” he said, still unable to take his eyes off her.

She reached over to brush the hair from his eyes as well. “Did you sleep at all?”

“Some.” He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss against her palm.

“Mmm. Me, too. Do you suppose they’ll all guess what we’ve been up to?”

“Since my truck is still parked outside your door… probably. But I don’t think anyone will be surprised.”

She blushed a little. Then her eyes widened. “What time is it?”

He reached for his cell phone and the screen lit up. “Almost nine.”

She jumped up, dragging the sheet with her from beneath his blanket. “I promised your mom I’d teach her how to make that flourless chocolate cake this morning! Look at me! I have to shower and—”

He sat up and grabbed her hand, pulling her to him for another kiss. “Don’t worry. It’s fine. She won’t say a thing. I promise.” He patted her on the bottom. “You shower, I’ll make coffee. And something to eat.”

“Thanks.” She stopped and turned back to him, clutching the sheet to her. “Last night? It was… wonderful.”

He grinned with a quick nod. It was. “Go.”

*

Liam, bless him,didn’t want her to face his mother on her own, so he walked over with her to the house. Tara and Sarah were in the kitchen, going over something on Tara’s laptop while Lolly sat under a mobile on her play mat. One of the dogs was lying beside her, following her every move with a protective eye and occasionally nuzzling her.

Sarah straightened. “Oh, good morning, you two.” Her smile was a little overbright to be subtle.

“Morning,” Liam said, giving her a quick buss on the cheek and a warning look close-up.

“Hey, Tara. What are you two up to this morning?”

With a sideways look between Emily and Sarah, she said, “Tweaking the website is all. Your mom had some great ideas about the font and the branding.”

“Did she?”

“Yes, I did,” she said proudly. “At least Tara thinks they’re good ideas. Emily? Hope you’re well rested after your adventure with the bear yesterday. We heard all about it.”

Neither of them looked well rested. “I feel great. Don’t you, Liam?”

“Never better.” He sent his mother a narrow warning look.

“And the bear,” Emily went on, “was quite terrifying, but your son is the reason we’re still standing today.”

“The reason we’re still here is that you didn’t panic,” he said. “Pure and simple.”