Her bottom lip quivered. Sadness seeped into his heart. He hadn’t meant to scare her. Even though she’d stabbed him in the heart when she’d left without sayinggoodbye.
“I came back because…” She sniffed and wiped her nose. “Because Iloveyou.”
He swallowed and ran a hand through his hair as his angerdissipated.
“I don’t know that I can believe you,”hesaid.
“I can’t explain why I left other than to tell you that saving Andy’s life was more important than anything in the world. I couldn’t even consider anything else until he was safe,”shesaid.
“You could have told me you were coming back,”hesaid.
“I didn’t know thatIwas.”
“Why did you?” heasked.
“Because I love you. I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re kind and sweet and loving. I know I don’t deserve you after leaving the way I did, but I was hoping you’d give me a chance,” she said. “I don’t know how I’ll make it up to you, but I swear I’ll findaway.”
“You hurt me,” he saidsoftly.
“I know.” She took a step closer to him, then stopped. “And I can’t tell you how sorry I am about that. Everything happened so fast with us. I wasn’t sure itwasreal.”
“I know what you mean. I never thought I could—” He stopped. Could he actually risk his heart for her? Was she being sincere? What proof did he have that she wouldn’t run off the minute things gotdifficult?
She moved closer, stopping within his reach. He met her gaze and read both sorrow and love in her eyes. The stubborn part of him wanted to hurt her back, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t a liar. He’d never deny his feelings for heragain.
As he closed the distance between them, a soft cry burst from her lips. He pulled her into a tight embrace and buried his face in her hair. The fresh scent of her skin invaded his senses. He’d be a fool to let her go. Wasn’t all life a risk? Wouldn’t it be worth taking a chance with the woman heloved?
“Daisy,” he whispered. “How do I know this is really whatyouwant?”
“I want you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I want to spend my days in the fields and my nights in your arms.” She pulled back slightly to look at him. Tears shimmered inhereyes.
“Please, don’t cry.” He wiped a tear from hercheek.
“I can’t lose you,” she said. “I have nothing left. I havenoone.”
“Is that why you want me?” he asked. “Because you have nooneelse?”
“No. That’s not it at all. I love you. I can’t imagine ever being apart from youagain.”
“What about all the traveling you want to do?” heasked.
“You said we can go together,”shesaid.
“Idid.”
“I’m getting tired of running from one place to another,” she said. “I’ve never been anywhere that I wanted to stay permanently. But this place, your farm, it’s magical. There’s so much energy and life and love here. I’ve never been anywhere like itbefore.”
He cupped her cheeks in his hands and pressed his forehead to hers. Her love banished all of the doubt and pain and heartache fromhissoul.
“I love you,” he whispered. “I’ve loved you since the moment Imetyou.”
She choked out a sob and flung her arms around his neck. He squeezed her against hischest.
“Will you walk with me?” heasked.
“Right now? Outside?” sheasked.
“Let’s see if the rainstopped.”
