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“Thank you.” He patted the bench beside him. When she sat, he put his arm around her and tugged her closer.

She snuggled into his side and sipped her beverage. “I got a letter from Kenny.”

David stiffened. They’d promised not to keep secrets from each other, but he hadn’t expected to hear that. He took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. “What did he have to say?”

“I didn’t believe the rumors that he wasn’t the same man he used to be. But he really has changed. He apologized for what he did and asked for my forgiveness.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“I know I’m supposed to forgive him.” She scraped her bottom lips with her teeth. “And I do. But is it wrong of me that I never want to see him again?”

He tugged her tighter against his side. “I don’t think that’s unreasonable.”

“Maybe we can talk with our therapist about it next time?”

After she’d physically recovered from her encounter with Adam, they both agreed to see a therapist to work through their respective pasts. A month ago, they decided to see her together. The results had been amazing. “Of course. If that’s what you want.”

She nodded. “I do.”

David nudged the swing into a slow glide. “Adam is gone, and Levi is innocent. From what we can tell, he had no idea what his friend had done. Plus, Kenny’s letter gives you closure. It’s good to know that he doesn’t want revenge but forgiveness. I’m hoping now we can put all that behind us.”

“I’d like that.” She tipped her head back and smiled.

He’d never take her happiness for granted. “I talked to Zoey.”

“Uh-oh, what are you two plotting now?”

“Oh, you think you’re funny, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she giggled. “Sorry. As you were saying.”

David set his mug on the ground and cupped her face with both hands. “I want a future with you. You and Zoey. I’m not proposing now, but I want you to know, that’s where ourrelationship is going. If you’re not okay with that, please tell me now.”

“You’re right. I’m not ready—yet. But I can’t wait for that time to come.”

He pressed his lips to hers and lingered a bit longer than he’d planned. “One more thing.”

She tilted her head. Her eyes searched his.

“When we get married, I want to adopt Zoey if that’s okay with you and her.”

Tears pooled on Jennie’s lashes and poured over. She threw her arms around him and kissed him like her life depended on it.

He eased away and rested his forehead on hers. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“When you came into my life, you saved me in more ways than one. From Adam and from myself. I’m a different person because of your love. I couldn’t ask for a better father for my daughter than you.”

David’s heart filled with so much love he thought it might explode. He’d lost Brenda and thought he’d wallow in guilt forever. But when he found Jennie, her love brought light to the darkness. He couldn’t imagine a future without her and Zoey. And according to Jennie, he wouldn’t have to.