A wise move on his part because she temporarily forgot he was an insecure, love-struck idiot. “Oh, Dean, it was wonderful. He’s the most prestigious dealer in the South. Nita wouldn’t shut up about the paintings, and she made me so mad that I finally sent him photographs. He called me the next day and demanded to see everything.”

“And you couldn’t pick up a phone and clue me in about something that important?”

“You have enough to think about right now. Honestly, Dean, if your offensive line doesn’t give you better protection, I—”

“Blue…” He reached the end of his patience.

“Anyway, he loved everything!” she said. “He’s giving me my own show. And you wouldn’t believe the prices he’s going to charge.”

Enough was enough. “We’ll work the wedding around it.” He closed the distance between them in two strides, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her exactly as he’d been dreaming about doing for months. She kissed him back, too. Damn right she did. “There is definitely going to be a wedding, Blue. The minute the season is over.”

“Okay.”

“That’s it?”

She smiled and cupped his jaw. “You’re a steadfast man, Dean Robillard. The more I painted, the more that became clear to me. And you know what became just as clear?” She ran her finger over his bottom lip. “I’m a steadfast woman. Loyal to a fault, and as tough as they come.” He pulled her against him. She rested her cheek against his chest. “You told me I needed to grow roots, and you were right. It was so easy to be happy when we were together. I needed to make it difficult. Knowing I have a permanent family helped a lot. It’s…made me stop being so afraid.”

“I’m glad. April is—”

“Oh, not April.” She tilted her face up to him. “April is one of my dearest friends, but, let’s face it, you’ll always come first with her.” Blue looked faintly apologetic. “The truth is, Nita loves me for better or for worse. And, trust me, she’s not going anywhere until somebody drives a stake through her heart.” Her smile grew a question mark. “Would it be okay if we asked April to plan the wedding? I’ll just muck it up, and frankly, I’d rather paint.”

“You don’t want to plan your own wedding?”

“Not too much. Weddings don’t interest me.” She gazed up at him with the most tender, dreamy eyes he’d ever imagined. “On the other hand, being married to the man I love…That interests me very much.”

He kissed her more fiercely until she gasped and pushed him away. “I can’t stand it any longer. Wait right here.”