“You almost missed it,” she whispered.
She took his breath away. Yesterday, she appeared close to death’s door, and today, she glowed in the early rays of the sun.
“Good morning,” he said, handing her a cup and pouring her coffee.
“Thank you,” she said, adding cream and sugar while watching the animals.
Sitting beside her, he poured some of the hot brew into his mug and gazed over the mountain. A sense of belonging filled him.
Sipping her coffee, she held it with both hands, warming them.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone you left? I brought you breakfast only to find you gone,” he whispered, watching the elk gaze in their direction.
“The boys know where I go when I stay here. Besides, they won’t wake for another hour or so,” she said softly.
“Can we talk?” he asked, watching her wearily.
“It’s a long time coming. I’ve imagined how thisconversation might go. Here we sit, and it’s not like anything I anticipated,” she admitted quietly.
“Did you envision shooting me or hitting me upside the head with another tree branch?” he asked worriedly. “I didn’t check the locker before I came here. Do I get a head start before you start shooting?” he teased, trying to take the sting away.
She smiled and laughed at the memory of her chasing him with a big stick. “What do you want, Owen?”
“Cade reminded me of how I always told him actions speak louder than words. I owe you an apology and an explanation, Leslie. I love you more than anything. When I proposed, I meant every word I said. After the funeral, I overheard my brothers blame me for Mom’s death. I knew this small town thrived on gossip. A part of me knew I wanted to marry you and start our lives somewhere else, far away from my alcoholic dad and the responsibilities of the Wolfe Family. I thought by leaving, I gave you an out. I ran away instead of facing the aftermath of my actions.”
Leslie sniffed, holding back her tears.
Owen knelt in front of her, taking the cup from her hand and setting it beside her. Grasping them, he gazed up at her. “We can’t go back. I can’t undo my actions. I want Tucker to grow up with his dad.”
“What about Conner?” she interrupted.
“I’m not separating the boys,” Owen said, hearing the relief in her sigh.
“I’ve asked the lawyer to come to the house. It’ll be safer for all of us. Once we know those options, I’d like to talk to you about moving here. I’m not asking for the boy’s sake, but for mine. Will you give me time to prove to you I won’t run again? We were changed by our circumstances, but there’s not a single day I haven’t thought about you. You invade my dreams. Will you give me a chance to prove I’m not the same man who took you for granted? I want to make memories with my little brother, my son, and especially you.”
Leslie cried as she wrapped her arms around him and sobbed. “You never lost your talent in persuading me.”
“I’d like us to take things slow. We can get to know each other again,” he said. “I want you to tell me about Tucker and Conner. And I want to know everything I missed.”
“A minute ago, you said you loved me,” she hiccupped. “I still have feelings for you, but I don’t know about trusting you again.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Owen assured her. “Trust will come with time. It’s earned, and I’ll keep showing up until you believe me.”
Cupping her face, he saw the girl he proposed to in her eyes. Yet a softer, wiser, and more experienced woman sat in front of him. Leaning in, he tilted herhead as his mouth claimed hers. His tongue swiped along her lip, and she moaned as she opened wider. Pulling her closer, he deepened the kiss. Memories flooded him, reminding him of how good she felt in his arms. The vanilla scent of her perfume drifted to his nose, letting him know he returned home.
When they pulled back, he smiled and said, “Wow.” Kissing her nose, he reluctantly let go of her.
She smiled as he sat beside her and pulled her close.
“Tell me about the pregnancy?” he asked.
“Tucker came on his own time, and he reminds me of you. The first few months I struggled between Mom’s death and caring for a newborn, but then your dad showed up and made things better for us.”
“How did he live? Obviously, the resort closed. Did he have a job?” he asked.
“I never asked. Sometimes, groups came to hike, and he acted as their guide,” Leslie said, leaning against his shoulder.
Owen stroked her hair. “How did he pay for things for Conner?”
