“I love you, Jackson,” I said again, just so he knew I meant it. “I promised myself that the minute the cell service came back up, I’d tell you, but doing it in person is so much better.”

Our mouths met in a kiss, and the world righted itself as his lips moved with mine. It was sweet and desperate all in the same breath.

He yanked back with narrowed eyes. “But you’re okay, right? You’re not hurt?”

“Well, Finley and Vivian were evacuated. Fin was fine, but Vivian’s leg was a disaster, and we didn’t pack her insulin when we fled her house, but I’m assuming they’re okay since Hastings flew them out. How are they?”

“He told me, and we’ll get to that in a second. I’m asking about you.” His eyes raked down my frame.

“Wait…you haven’t seen them yet?”

“I told you that the minute I got off that plane, I was coming for you, remember?”

Mercy, I did, and he’d come for me. My heart didn’t just fly—it soared.

“And I knew they were safe, but you weren’t, so I’m here. Now put me out of my misery and tell me if you’re hurt.” His eyebrows furrowed.

“I’m fine. A little scraped up in places, but nothing to worry about.” My stomach dropped. “Oh, Jackson, your house…”

His mouth set in a firm line. “I know. It was kind of hard to miss as we flew up, but there wasn’t anything in it that can’t be replaced. Except the house itself. That might be a little tricky with the location, but I’m not worried. I was scared shitless about you.” His hands rose to cradle my face. “You came back for Fin.”

“Of course I did. But I also put her in so much danger. We almost didn’t make it in time.” Had I made the right judgment call?

“You saved her life. And Vivian’s. That house, and three more on that block, collapsed. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” His voice broke.

“You don’t have to thank me.” The thought of what could have happened was enough to weaken my knees. “I only did what you would have.”

“I don’t deserve you,” he whispered, setting his forehead on mine.

“I could say the same exact thing. So why don’t we agree that we deserve each other and go from there?” His neck was warm and strong under my fingers. “I love you, Jackson. And I’m sorry it took me so long to say it.”

“I don’t know if I can stay,” he blurted, stroking his thumbs over my cheeks. “They granted us all emergency leave, but it’s still up in the air if we’ll need to return.”