Page 73 of Killer on the Homestead

“I tried. I failed. Appreciate the sentiment.”

He crossed to her, just as she crossed to him. Meeting in the middle. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his came around her waist. She grinned up at him.

“How’s the shoulder?”

“Doctor said exactly where it should be. So there, worrier.”

“I never worry,” she said, and she lifted to her toes and pressed her mouth to his. A welcome-home kiss that was just what he’d needed. Four days in LA hadn’t been terrible, but this was the only place he really wanted to be.

“I missed you,” he murmured against her mouth.

“You were gone for four days,” she replied, trying to wriggle away from him. He didn’t let her.

“Yeah. Say it.”

She tried to dim her smile, but she failed that too. “Does it count if you make me?”

“Say it, Red.”

“I missed you too.” She moved to kiss him again, but he held her off, studying her face. Maybe she wasn’t ready.

But she damn well should be. And if she could admit she missed him over just four days, he figured she could take it.

“I love you, Rosalie.”

She stilled in his arms. Her eyes immediately wary as she studied his face. But she didn’t pull away. Didn’tlookaway, so he didn’t either. It took a few moments, but after a few careful breaths, she softened there against him.

“I love you too, Duncan.”

Yeah, this was the best home he’d had yet.

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