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“You stay right where you are, and I'll et food and water for yourself? Or are you really that bad off?” Wiping hed Eleni's words were harsh, but her voice was tender I knew she and Danielle would be there in an instant if I asked

“I got ave us”

“You know, hospitals don't just give you equipment like that Did you pay for them? Or was it your secret admirer?” Eleni snorted “You know, I really don't believe that this man has taken off without you He seemed pretty set on…”

I didn't hear the rest of what Eleni was saying All I heard was three dogs scrareet thet-shirt and hobbled intomyself down the hallway to the front door Just as I reached, the door, Joe pushed his way inside to greet erie of animals

The dogs leapt up in celebration, and even ain

“What on earth, Billy Joe?”

“It’s Joe these days But you can call me whatever you want to Hopefully for the rest of our lives…” Billy Joe Wootton knelt down on one knee, right before me

“What on earth are you doing? You just popped out of here, and nohat? You’re…”

“Proposing” He reached into the deep pocket of his jeans and pulled out a shad channel set dia the band In the center set a sapphire, as deep blue as Billy Joe Wootton’s eyes I gasped,dry My heart fluttered

“I hadn’t exactly iined a proposal like this Not in a wheelchair in my crappy little house”

“I can take you out on the town if it means you’ll say yes”

“Billy…” My voice was soft “Yes” was on the tip of ue, but somehow, I couldn’t quite say it “We can’t… You’ve always knoe can’t”

“Who says? I never wanted any of the things ave me And now I havethat they wanted And where did that get me? All I want is you” Tears strea my hand to his face

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve never beenin my life Of all the woulped, wiping away ain

“What are you going to do… whisk me away to Austin in your private jet and… wife me?”

“I don’t think I’ve heard ‘wife’ used in quite that way before But yes, that’s pretty da ertips brush over the stubble on Billy Joe’s chin Tears flooded ain, and I nodded