Distance in Texas was everything.
As soon as she refueled, she drove up to the station and went to find the restrooms, then bought a cold drink and a bag of corn chips to take with her. When she got back in the car, she sent Asher the second text.
INCOMING…leaving an Exxon station via GPS to you.
Asher had skipped his lunch break knowing he would leave work early when Nora arrived. He had just made a printout of phone logs for the State’s case he was working on when he got Nora’s text. He put the printout on Ryan’s desk along with a note, then returned a message.
Best day ever. Ready and waiting.
He sent her the code to get in at the front gate, then left the building.
* * *
It was the longest drive home he’d ever made. The minutesseemed to drag. He hit too many red lights, and too many detours. Finally, he realized it was the universe telling him to slow down. And once he did, the traffic cleared, and he was home.
He had his gun stashed and was in the living room watching for her car to pull up in his driveway. Her office space awaited, and he’d moved his summer clothes into a closet in another room to make room for her things. Picturing their clothes hanging side by side was yet another facet of their life to come, but going to sleep with her in his arms and waking up to her lying beside him was going to be the real gift.
He glanced at the time, hoping she wasn’t lost, and when he looked up, she was pulling into his driveway. He bolted for the kitchen to open the garage door, and saw her waving and smiling as she drove in beside his car and got out.
“I made it!” she said, and seconds later, she was in his arms, being smothered with hugs and kisses. “Are we dreaming, or is this really happening?” she said, as he finally put her down.
“Happening, and better late than never! Show me your hand.”
She held it out, palm up.
“You got the stitches out. It looks great, but I’m still carrying things in.”
“I took the stitches out, and I am more than happy to let you do all the heavy lifting. I’m about lifted out.”
He frowned. “You took them out?”
She nodded. “With my mother’s little embroidery scissors and tweezers. It just stung a little, so I poured alcohol on it afterward and made it sting a lot.”
Ash burst out laughing. “God, I love you. Grab your purse and coat. I’m coming in behind you with the rest. Our bedroom is the first door on the right, down the hall. Dumpyour things, then investigate the rooms on the other side of the hall and find which one suits you for your office. I have a long folding table that will serve for a desk until you find one you like, and we’ll have it delivered.”
“Yes, okay,” she said, and went through the utility room and into the kitchen, staring in delight at the space that was to become her home.
The Mexican-influenced architecture made everything feel warm and homey, while the brilliant colors and handmade tiles became the jewels adorning the space.
She left her things on an imposing four-poster bed and went across the hall to begin an office search, quickly settling for the largest room at the end of the hall. Perfect for any privacy she would need, and basically soundproof from the sound of daily living going on at the other end of the house.
She had already admired the formal dining room, and was in the living room, trying out every chair and sofa, when Asher walked in.
“Hey, honey, you have one big box labeledMom’s china. Would you like to put it in the obviously empty china cabinet in the dining room?”
“Yes, please,” she said, and followed him. “That and her silverware were the only things from home that I chose to keep.”
“Is the silverware in your car? I didn’t see it anywhere.”
“I shipped my summer clothes here UPS. It will be in one of those boxes when they arrive.”
“Then I’ll open the box of dishes and set them on the table for you, but I don’t have a clue as to where they should go. The rest of that is out of my wheelhouse. Is it okay if I unpack the clothes in your suitcases? I have extra hangers.”
“I packed them with the hangers, and lord, yes, it’s okay. Do you have to get back to work?” she asked.
“Not today, baby. Not today. I’m all yours, for whatever you need. Mi casa es su casa.”
Nora paused, remembering the day they’d said goodbye after graduation, and the feeling she’d had driving away from him again in Crossroads. No more driving away. No more walls between them ever again. She put her hand on the middle of his chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady, like the man.
