I read the listing:

6800 W Hill Ave

$789,000

2,746 square foot office building on 0.66 acres. Built in 1949, renovated in 2011. Has 12 parking spaces, plus a walkout basement of 838 square feet. Single tenancy. Partial view of the Tennessee River.

“Riona,” I say, slowly. “This is in Knoxville.”

“I know,” she says. “I saw it when we went into town to get the horse stall mats.”

“You bought a building . . . in Tennessee?” I know I sound like an idiot but I can’t quite believe this.

“Yes,” Riona says. She’s starting to look concerned—either that I’m not as happy as she expected, or that I might have brain damage. “It’s a bit of a drive from the ranch—but not too bad.”

I just can’t believe it. I don’t want to allow this wild happiness to rise up inside of me, in case it isn’t real.

I grab her hands and grip them tight. “You want to come back home with me?”

She looks at me with her green eyes bright and shining.

“Yes,” she says, simply.

“What about Griffin, Briar, Weiss? Without your uncle . . . there won’t be a Griffin. Unless you stay.”

Riona sighs. “I know,” she says. “I thought about that. For a long time, actually. All the time I was in the hospital, I felt this duty to stay. But then I realized . . . duty isn’t the same thing as desire. Just because I always thought I wanted a particular thing in a particular way . . . that doesn’t mean I can’t find something even better, and want that even more. Even if I was still hung up on the idea of a big law firm in a big city . . . I want to choose you, Raylan. I want to choose you over anything else.”

I shake my head in amazement. I really thought I was getting the hang of Riona. Then she knocks me over like this.

“I want the same thing,” I tell her. “I was all set to tell you that I was gonna stay here, in Chicago. And darlin’, I’m still willing to do it. We can pick right now—I want you to be happy, Riona. If that means staying, then I’ll stay.”

Riona just laughs. “I wasn’t kidding—I already bought this place. I sent over the deposit this morning. I used the insurance payout from the condo. And even if it wasn’t a done deal, I don’t care. I already got closure here. What you said was true, Raylan . . . the happiest I’ve ever been was that week on the ranch with you and your family. It’s beautiful, and it’s peaceful, and it feels like home. It's where I want to be."

I still can't believe it. I lean across the table and kiss Riona, to be certain that I'm actually awake, and not just dreaming.

"I love you," I tell her again. "I really love you."

"I know," she grins. "And I love you, too."