Quinn turned to look at them. Mandy was holding on to Adam’s arm, and feeling better than she had ever thought she would feel again in her life. Cutter sat at their feet, looking up at them with that expression she could only describe as smug.

“Yeah,” Hayley, who had arrived back this morning, said to the dog, “you did it.”

“Again,” muttered Quinn, but his mouth was quirked upward.

Hayley straightened from scratching the dog’s favored spot and looked at them both.

“They’re saying it’s going to start snowing in the passes again Saturday night. You two will have to beat it to get home in time for Christmas.”

Adam blinked. Swallowed visibly. “I...haven’t worked up to asking her that yet.”

“Ask,” Mandy said.

He looked at her. Took a breath. “Will you?”

“Of course. I think it’s time I met your parents, don’t you?” He looked so relieved she couldn’t help smiling.

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

“We’ll need you back here when the trial starts,” Quinn reminded them.

“We know,” Adam said. He looked at Mandy as he added, “We’ll see it through.”

“Together,” she said. “And then we put this behind us for good.”

“You’re sure?” Adam asked as he watched Mandy zip up her suitcase. “Hayley kind of put you on the spot there.”

“Of course I’m sure.”

“I...don’t have much to offer you. It’s a quiet life, where nature’s the only enemy.”

“Sounds like heaven to me.” Finished with the case she turned to face him. “I’m going exactly where I want to. I want to learn this place that holds such a large piece of your heart.”

“Not so much anymore,” he said, and kissed her. “I love you, Mandy.”

“And I’m going because I love you,” she repeated. “And I’ll stay, because that place is home for you.”

A future he’d never dared think about, let alone hope for, rolled out in his mind. He still couldn’t quite believe it, and said what he thought he had to.

“But this is home for you. Your father’s house.”

“Not anymore.” She met his gaze. “Believe me, he’d understand.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “I hope so.”

“Besides, I have to go where you go. Otherwise I’ll be alone forever, because no one else could measure up to you.”

His heart might just have burst at that, had he not already given it to her. He kissed her again, because he had to. And if they hadn’t had to beat that weather, it would have gone a lot further, so quick was the heat to spark.

Still, when they were on the road he took a detour. When Mandy realized where they were headed, she reached out and took his hand.

“Do you mind?” he asked quietly.