“But that still doesn’t explain why you chose to tell me now. You could have kept it a secret—I’d never have known.”

Maybe that would have been better. She didn’t want his gratitude. She wanted… she closed her eyes. What she wanted didn’t matter, not when she heard the truth in Bodie’s voice, the excitement at the prospect of his future…far away from her.

“There’s more I need to say.”

She swallowed, wondering what could possibly be more than what he’d already revealed.

“I’m falling for you.”

Startled at his confession, her lips parted, but no words came out.

“I’m not sure any man could spend time with you and not fall for you, Sarah.”

“Oh, there have been plenty who haven’t.” She couldn’t believe Bodie was saying he had. Yes, she’d seen the look he sometimes got, had felt the changes in him, but she hadn’t dared believe he was falling for her.

“Then they never really saw the woman I see. They couldn’t have.”

Stunned, Sarah stared at him. Was it possible Bodie was the hero she’d dreamed of while sewing the quilt? Her knight in shining armor who’d never leave her? Or was he just feeling misguided gratitude? And did any of this change his plans? Was he still leaving?

“That’s a sweet thing to say,” she began, her mind full as she tried to comprehend what was happening.

“I’m not a sweet man, Sarah. What I’m saying is the truth.”

“You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever known, Bodie.”

A redbird flew low where Harry played, grabbing the dog’s attention, and he took off after it, barking and chasing it towards the woods.

Frowning, Bodie opened the truck door, and half stepped out. “Harry!”

Slowing, the dog looked their way.

“Come here.”

Harry hesitated, gave one last look of longing in the direction the bird had flown, then bounded toward them full speed, not slowing until he reached Bodie.

“Good dog.” Bodie squatted and gave the dog a good rubbing down and more words of praise.

Shivering from the cold air filling the truck through the open door, Sarah watched them, while processing everything he’d said.

Bodie had come to find her and now he was falling for her.

With the way her heart fluttered when he was near, when he’d kissed her the night before, it would be so easy to fall for him, too.

But as wonderful as the thought of falling in love with Bodie was, she knew that didn’t change the fact he was leaving.

Leaving was in his blood.

Pine Hill was in hers.

Sadness filled her at what might have been if either of them were different people, had different dreams. Part of her wanted to beg him to stay, to give them a chance to see what could be.