“I don’t know why, but letting him go . . .” She shook her head. “It was like you said. The more she was here, the more I realized that there was no room anymore for the anger.”

“You forgave her.”

“Yes. And . . . I started calling her Mom.”

He touched her face. “Really?”

“It feels strange. Like she never really left. She’s starting an OB-GYN practice in town. And last night, she popped popcorn in the fireplace. And . . . she bought me this dress.”

“I like it.” He stood back and let his gaze travel over her. “A lot.”

“It feels weird.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Let love guide you.”

She pushed him away. “Dodge. That’s the thing. I sat in the bleachers, watching you—great game, by the way—and . . . what if I’m too happy?”

“Isn’t that the point?”

She made a face, but a tear spilled down. “What if I love you too much? What if—”

“Stop what-iffing.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “What if we just promise that we’re going to live happily ever after . . . and we do. And we trust God to help us keep that promise.”

She searched his eyes. “Even when the grizzlies show up?”

“Especially when the grizzlies show up.”

She smiled and ran her hands up around his neck, played with his hair. “You really went to the dance?”

“Of course I did.” He began to sway. “I think this is as good as it gets.”

“Impressive.”

“Mind-blowing. I could probably even dip you.”

“Let’s stay on our feet.”

“Chicken.”

“Oh yes.” She smoothed her hands on his dress shirt. “Did you iron?”

“Is that a dress you’re wearing?”

She wound her hands around his neck again and brought his head down to hers.

Kissed him. It was soft, gentle, at once a surrender and a gift. She stepped closer, into his arms, as if his entire body could absorb her, draw her into his heart. Desire shot through him.

Oh, he needed this woman. Not just in his arms, but in his life. In fact, he didn’t know where he stopped and she started. Just that he hadn’t been whole since he’d left.

She pushed away, looked up at him, her skin flushed. “I think it’s time.”

“Time?” Right. They should leave. He took her hand. “I think we can get back while the band is still playing.”

But she didn’t budge. “No, Dodge. It’s time.”

Time?

He stilled, and suddenly Effie’s words returned to him. “We talked about dreams, and a bigger life and . . . maybe she realized that it’s time for her to move on.”

He took a breath. Okay, then. “So, you’re thinking of moving to Anchorage, to get that degree? I get it. I shouldn’t expect you to stay. But you should know that I’ll wait for you . . .”