Keepers of the Flame (Trilogy Bundle) (18 page)

“Ready to go?” I asked, drinking in the sight of her.

“Whenever you are.”

I led her outside to the car I'd driven over. I opened the passenger door, but drew her close to me before she entered.

“I'm so sorry, Luanne.” I whispered in her hair.

She hugged me back tightly, “What for?”

“I was a jerk. I have no excuse; it's just that I thought I'd lost you at the Serpentine and was scared at the intensity of my feelings. That's why I acted the way I did. I shouldn't have ignored you that way. I'm really sorry.”

She drew away from my arms slightly and cupped my face in both hands. “I should have gone to you and made you tell me what was eating you up.” She said slowly. “I'm sorry I didn't do that. Let's agree to talk to each other when something's bugging us, okay?”

I looked at her carefully, something was different about her. It was almost as though she'd grown up in the past few hours. I kissed her deeply for several minutes.

“I love you babe, you know that, don't you?” I said after we broke apart for air.

She smiled and I saw the joy in her eyes. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

My heart was near to bursting then. I had no idea what the coming days would bring, but I was just grateful for the opportunity to face eternity with the wonderful woman in my arms. I still had issues and stuff I needed to deal with, but I knew we would make it together.

THE END