“I do—and I’m sorrier than I can say for all the trauma you’ve had to deal with in your life. But love—real love—should triumph over that. You made a commitment to me, Zeke. Maybe not in words, but in every other way. Yet your feelings weren’t strong enough to chase away your demons or override what you thought was a God-sent opportunity to right a wrong. You’ve reassured me that won’t happen again, but how can I be certain of that?”

It was a fair question. In her place, he’d have similar fears.

And based on her comments, winning her back—if that was even possible—would be a very long process.

That was fine—as long as there was hope.

“I could promise you again it won’t—but I understand your concerns in light of our history.” Zeke fought another urge to close the distance between them. “I’m not asking you to marry me today, Cate. I realize that possibility is a distant speck on the horizon—but I have decided to ask for a job in a domestic field office. The question is where. There are two openings in St. Louis, and given my tenure with the agency, I believe one of them could be mine if I put in for it. But you’re the only reason I’d stay here.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “No pressure there.”

“I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment. Just a chance to prove I have staying power this time around.”

“What if it doesn’t work out?”

“I’ll move to another location. You won’t ever have to worry about running into me again.”

He’d keep that promise too—even if it killed him to walk away.

She bit her lower lip. “I don’t know, Zeke . . .”

“You can set the pace—and the rules. I’ll see you when and where you say. On the schedule you set. No kissing until you initiate it. We’ll do this your way for as long as it takes you to be certain about your decision.”

She swallowed. “You haven’t left anything on the table to negotiate. Everything in your proposition is in my favor.”

“I know.” A purposeful decision.

“You make it hard to say no.”

Exactly.

“Is that a yes?”

In the silence that followed his question, he held his breath. This was the moment of truth. The point where the road diverged, and she could go either direction.

Lord, let her go my way. Please.

When she spoke, her voice was so soft he had to lean close to hear her. “If I let you back into my life, it won’t take much effort to rekindle the romance. And if you walk out again, I don’t know what I’d do. After you left eight years ago, it was as bad as . . . as after Mom died.” Her breath hitched.