‘‘You couldn’t.’’ To prove it, he kissed her long and slow and deep. ‘‘This isn’t the way I want it for you. Cramming minutes alone between chores. And using those minutes to jump into bed because it’s all we’ve got.’’

‘‘I’ve never made love in the middle of the day before.’’ She smiled. ‘‘I liked it.’’

On a long breath, he lowered his brow to hers. If it had been possible, he would have spent the rest of the day right there, inside her. ‘‘We’re going to have to figure out a way to find a little more time now and again.’’

‘‘I’ve got tomorrow night off. You could come by for dinner . . . and stay.’’

‘‘I ought to take you out somewhere.’’

‘‘There’s nowhere I want to go. I’d like it if we could have dinner in.’’ Then her smile spread. ‘‘I’ll make you some tortellini. I just got this new recipe.’’

When he laughed, she threw her arms around him and chalked up another of the happiest moments of her life. ‘‘Oh, I love you, Ethan.’’ She was so giddy with it that it took her a moment to realize he was no longer laughing, had gone very still. Her wildly bounding heart slowed, and chilled.

‘‘Maybe you don’t want me to say that, but I can’t help feeling it. I don’t expect you to say it back, or feel obligated to—’’

His fingers pressed lightly against her lips to silence her. ‘‘Give me a minute, Grace,’’ he said quietly. His system had flooded, rising tides of joys, hopes, fears. He couldn’t think past them, not clearly. But he knew her, knew that what he said now, and how he said it, would be vitally important.

‘‘I’ve had feelings for you for so long,’’ he began, ‘‘I can’t remember when I didn’t have them. I’ve spent just as long telling myself I shouldn’t have them, so all of this is taking me some time to get used to.’’

When he shifted this time, she didn’t try to stop him. She nodded, avoided his eyes and reached for her clothes. ‘‘It’s enough that you want me, maybe even need me a little. It’s enough for now, Ethan. This is all so new for both of us.’’

‘‘They’re strong feelings, Grace. You matter to me more than any woman ever has.’’

She looked at him now. If he said it, she knew he meant it. Hope began to beat in her heart again. ‘‘If you had feelings for me, strong feelings, why didn’t you ever let me know?’’