She gulped and hiccuped, then wiped her nose on her sleeve. She hadn’t cried like this in a long time. And there he stood, right smack in front of her, watching without saying anything.

“I’m sorry,” she nearly shrieked. “Before, when I walked away and got on with my life and had them alone, it was because I didn’t know anything. And now I know some things. And if you think I’m going to let you have a temper tantrum and walk away from us just because you’re mad, you’re wrong! Because I think you love me, and I know I love you! So what do you want from me? Huh, John?”

His movement was so fast that she gasped. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, covering her mouth with his. He kissed her all over her sticky, teary face and held her so tightly that she could hardly breathe. But who needed to breathe?

This isn’t likely to solve anything, Leigh thought abstractly. But then her thoughts faded completely, because the sensation of his lips, the taste of his mouth and the hard press of his body against hers made her deliriously, if briefly happy. She held him; he held her. Then it occurred to her. This was what he wanted.

And so did she.

After that long, emotional speech, Leigh could only say, “Oh, John…” Actually, she cried it, but she wouldn’t let go of him. She wouldn’t let go again. And neither would he, apparently. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to his tent. Inside was an open sleeping bag upon which they were soon tumbling, kissing, hugging, and Leigh was still crying.

“Are we going to be able to figure this out?” She wept. “Ever?”

“I didn’t come up here to figure it out, babe,” he said, kissing her neck, her wet eyes, her ears. “It only took me about two minutes to remember that I want you…and them. But I had to think about how to tell my folks that I have kids, that I’m going to marry their mother, that it was just a stupid misunderstanding by two stupid people…one of whom just happens to be the genius daughter of a prizewinning scientist.”

A laugh bubbled through her tears.

“No one would ever believe this. I may not be as smart as you are, but would you believe one of the reasons I was appointed head of the volunteer ski patrol is that I have this uncanny intuition and great common sense?”

Again a laugh bubbled through. “I love you,” she said.

“I know. And I love you. And even though I was pretty mad at first, and even though I wish you’d told me sooner, I’m really glad you brought the boys here. I want to be their dad.”