She launched herself into his arms, kissing him hard. “This is amazing! How did you find all these gardens? And how did you get access to drive through them?”

He shrugged.

“Oh no, mister. You’re not going to shrug at me and get away with it when you’ve done something this wonderful!” She went up on her toes and pressed both hands to his cheeks, kissing him again. “I haven’t seen gardens like these in years. And the sunflowers! Oh my gosh, Diesel.” She squealed, kissing him again. “Thank you! I had no idea you were so romantic.”

“I’m not. You’re my girl. You like flowers. It’s about time you saw them again.”

She laughed. “You’re wrong. This is epically romantic.”

He didn’t need praise, but he loved seeing her so happy. “It’s not a big deal. Come on, let’s walk down to the water.”

“Not only is this a big deal, but you’re a big deal, too.”

“You’re the big deal, babe.” He draped an arm over her shoulder, and they went to the crest of the hill, which gave way to gorgeous views of a shimmering pond surrounded by more bountiful gardens and flowering trees. A deck led to a gazebo in the middle of the pond, with flower boxes lining the railings.

“Oh my goodness, Diesel.”

She looked awestruck, her radiant smile lighting up her face. Her bruises were almost gone, the cut over her brow was healing, but he knew that even after the visual remnants of that awful night had disappeared, he’d never forget the changes they’d brought. He pressed his lips to hers, and they headed down a footpath that cut through flower beds toward the pond.

“Oh, look! Those are zinnias, my favorites.”

As if he’d already forgotten?

“See those white ones? Those are lilies.” She pointed to flowers as she spoke. “They’re my mom’s favorite. And those are dahlias. They’re our second favorites.”

She continued pointing out flowers the whole way down the hill, telling him about visits to gardens with her mother and how much she’d missed doing it. He’d been trying to track down her mother, but he’d hit one roadblock after another. But he wasn’t about to let that door close without getting the answers Tracey needed, and more importantly, deserved.

They walked along the dock to the gazebo, where a picnic table set for two and a basket of food and sparkling water waited for them.

Tracey’s jaw dropped. “Is this for us?”

“You gotta eat.”

“Diesel.” She buried her face in his chest, squealing with delight, and beamed up at him. “Now I know why you’re so big.”

He cocked a brow.

“You need a big body to fit your gigantic heart.”