“I want to believe you, but when things got rough . . .”

“I faltered and I won’t do it again. I will never let you down again. I know who you are now, Lila Daley, and you are a woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. You’re the woman I’ve been waiting all my life for.”

There was still uncertainty on her face. “You think you know me so well?”

“I do. I know that you never back down from a fight. I know that even after everything you just went through the next time a woman walks into your clinic and she needs help, you’ll give it to her. You’ll do it every single time. You won’t ever stop. And that’s why we need to build a women’s shelter, one you can oversee. I don’t want us to have to drive two hours to protect our vulnerable citizens.”

Tears made her eyes shimmer. “Armie, that could be dangerous.”

“Life is dangerous. I’ll go you one better. Noelle is going to want to help you and I will not stop her. I want her to be every bit as brave as her stepmom.”

Her hand squeezed his. “Please be sure. I don’t know if I’d be able to stand it if you changed your mind.”

“I never changed my mind,” he promised. “I never stopped loving you. I made a bad call as a father. I didn’t see what Noelle needed, but I know now. She needs what I need. She needs you.”

“The clinic is gone,” she said.

That was what Dixie and Noelle had been talking about. “Then we’ll rebuild it.”

“I don’t have any money left. I don’t know what insurance is going to do. This wasn’t an accident.”

“I’ll find the money. Otis and I will produce a speed trap unlike anything this town has ever seen. I’ll let Roxie arrest Zep as often as she likes. Those two things alone will bring in more than enough revenue.” He had to make her understand that this was her home, and he would do anything to make it right for her.

“You can’t build my clinic with traffic tickets.” But she was smiling.

“Watch me.”

“Be sure,” she said, her fingers tangling around his. “Be sure you want me.”

“I’ve never wanted anything more. Stay with me. Be with me. Build a family with me.”

“But you . . .”

“Am being brave like my wife.”

She stood up and leaned over, pressing her lips to his. “I love you, Armie. I would be so proud to be your wife.”

“Oh, thank god,” a feminine voice said from just outside the door of his room.

“Noelle,” he admonished.