They let out a collective sigh. Everyone hugged, and then Summer took her mom’s hands. “I’m going to stick around for a while. What do you think?”

Camille cupped her face. “I think I could get used to that.”

“Me too,” Summer said, and turned when the nurse stuck her head out of Joe’s cubicle.

“Mrs. Walker? We need you back in here. He won’t cooperate unless he can see you.”

Indeed Joe was arguing with another nurse over something, and just the sound of his voice made her heart sigh. She could get used to that too, she decided. Very used to that, and moved to stand at his side. “Problem?”

“Tell me again,” he demanded and gripped her hand tight. “I want to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.”

Her heart melted. “I love you.”

He sighed and relaxed, and let out a smile. “So it was real.”

“As real as it gets,” she promised and sat at his side.

Epilogue

Epilogue

Six Months Later…

Summer sat on the beach not too far from the pier, sipping from a strawberry shake. Her diamond ring twinkled in the sun. She’d had it for months and she still couldn’t stop looking at it. “Trade,” she said, and took back her frozen yogurt from Joe.

Ashes sat at their feet, perfectly alert, watching every “trade” with careful, hopeful eyes.

Joe shook his head. “She’s worse than having a kid. Can you imagine?”

Though she knew he truly couldn’t imagine having a child, their child, she could. The past six months had been heaven on earth for her. She’d begun her own expedition company, all of her treks right here in Southern California, and it fulfilled her like nothing else had.

Except this man. He fulfilled her. He fulfilled her heart and soul, and she was ready to do as she’d promised him six months ago in the hospital. She wanted to be his wife. She wanted him in her bed every night, and her biggest secret…she wanted his children.

“Red?” With a finger to her chin, he tipped her face up, concern creasing those eyes she loved so much. “What are you thinking about?”

“I can imagine having a kid,” she whispered. “Your kid, with your beautiful eyes, and kind, huge heart, with your passion and strength and love of life. I can imagine it, Joe, because you’d make the best dad in the world.”

His eyes slid to her belly, which while not exactly flat, did not have a baby in it. “I’m not pregnant,” she said quickly. “I’m just saying.”

He stared at her, his shake forgotten. “Red—”

“I know.” She managed to smile past the lump in her throat. “You aren’t interested. It’s okay.”

“It is? Are you sure?”

She took his hand. “Kids I can live without. What I can’t live without, Joe, is you.”