After seeing her parents off, Sydney bent to press a kiss to Buddy’s sweet face and was rewarded with a lick to the cheek. “Aww, you’re feeling better, aren’t you? I’m so glad.” She kissed him again and stood to face Luke.

“When I came out here earlier this month,” she said, hoping she could get through this without getting too emotional, “I was hoping to make a few decisions about what’s next for me. I’d left my job as a teacher because it was too difficult to be around kids that age without constantly being reminded of the children I’d lost. ”

Propped on his crutches, Luke watched and listened, but he didn’t say anything.

“I never could’ve imagined you and I would reconnect the way we have or that being with you again would make me so. . .”

“What, Syd?” He tucked her hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek. “Tell me.”

“Happy,” she whispered. “I’ve been so happy. I didn’t think that was possible anymore, and you’ve helped me see I still have a whole life in front of me, and it doesn’t have to be filled with sadness and grief.” She ventured a look up at him and found him watching her intently. “Thank you for that.”

“Believe me, it’s been my pleasure.”

She smiled. “Mine, too.”

“But?”

Sydney shook her head. “No buts. I love you, Luke. I don’t know if I ever stopped loving you or if it was just on hold or what. But I love you, and I want to be with you, whether it’s here or on the mainland or wherever—”

He took a step to close the distance between them, letting his crutches fall to the floor in a loud clatter that drew a whine of concern from Buddy. Hooking an arm around her waist, he tugged her in tight against him.

Sydney’s hands landed on his chest. “Luke, your ankle!”

“It’s fine,” he whispered as he brought his mouth down on hers for a devouring kiss.

Having surrendered to the overwhelming love she felt for him, Sydney threw herself into the kiss, meeting every stroke of his tongue until she was so breathless spots were dancing before her eyes.

His lips shifted to her jaw and then to her neck. “I love you so much, Syd. Only you. I’ve loved you for as long as I’ve known what love is.”

Her fingers sank into his hair, anchoring him to her.

“I have a proposition for you,” he said.

Sydney tilted her hips into his erection. “So I see.”

“Not that kind of proposition,” he said, laughing. “Although that one is definitely on the agenda.” As if he couldn’t resist, he kissed her again.

“I want to hear your proposition,” she said against his lips.