“I was afraid of him,” she said with a sigh. “I was afraid of what he’d do to me, the children and my parents if I ever actually left him. So I stayed, and what happened was worse than anything I could’ve imagined. It was only after I left for good that I’ve been able to see what a huge mistake I made by staying.”

“I don’t believe in regrets. I did what I did for Stephanie and paid an awful price for it, but she’s alive and well and thriving in her business and so in love with Grant. Every time I see her happy and smiling, I realize everything that happened was worth it. Of all your kids, I only know Owen, and from what I see of him, the same could be said. He’s thrilled with the life he has with Laura, and your other kids are living productive lives despite their upbringing. You all survived, honey. That’s what really matters.”

His sweet words and the gentle tone in which they were delivered touched her deeply, stirring feelings she would’ve denied she had for him before now, before tonight. “I’m sorry I waited so long to tell you this. I’ve wanted to. For some time now.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” With his finger on her chin, he compelled her to look at him. “I swear to you, Sarah, you’ll never be afraid again—not as long as I’m around. You have nothing at all to fear from me. I’d never touch you with anything other than love on my mind.”

“Oh… You… You…”

“Love you. Yes, I do, and I have for a very long time. So please don’t ask me to let you go through something so difficult alone. Let me be there with you the way I think you’d want to be there for me.”

“You love me.” Sarah couldn’t get her head—or her heart—to accept words she hadn’t heard from a man in longer than she cared to admit. The word “love” wasn’t part of her marriage to Mark, at least not after the first month, when he’d pretended to love and respect her. It hadn’t taken long for her to see him for what he really was.

“I do. Is that okay?”

“Yes,” she said, laughing as tears rolled down her cheeks. “It’s okay.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“Because you surprised me, and you made me happy.”

“And that made you cry?”

She nodded.

He wiped away her tears with the light brush of his fingertips on her face. “What would happen if I kissed you?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“May I try?”

“Yes. Please.”