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“I am”

He slipped off Renegade, took the time to rub the horse’s ears and stroke his muzzle, and then slowly he moved toward Vivi, ducked underneath the fence’s lower slats, and came up in front of her

For the first ti their lass between them He looked older and sadder; the lines on his face were deeply etched, as if drawn on by Magic Marker The ache inside her was so deep it opened up and she fell in “I left you alone in there I know you can’t forgive ive myself, but”

Heher throat and around to the back of her neck With that one steady hand, he drew her closer

She felt herself coo, terrified she’d blink and discover she’d iined it all

She touched his face, let her fingertips wipe away his tears “Dallas,” she said “Don’t cry”

He swept her into his arms and carried her up the slippery hillside and across the porch and into the cottage that had once been their secret rendezvous location, and then their hon to him But their bedroom was still in the sa the door open

He lay her down on the bed and knelt beside her Moonlight filtered through theand puddled on the white sheets She came up to meet him more than halfway, desperate suddenly to undress him Her hands moved furiously to peel off his shirt and unbutton his pants; he untied her robe and pushed the worn terrycloth off her shoulders and away until it became a layer of softness beneath them

They touched with the kind of desperation that can only co becaed and torn, their cheeks were damp with each other’s tears as they reether And when at last he filled her, she cried out the na and empty years

Winona, Aurora, and Noah were gathered around the gaa about Vivi Ann and Dallas, of course, but the cards helped to keep therounded They were all so amped up on adrenaline it was difficult to stay focused Winona had just tried—and failed—to shoot the

They all thren their cards and Winona jumped up to answer it “Hello?”

“Hey, Winona I’m sorry to call so late”

She heard her Realtor’s voice and sighed “Hi, Candace”

Noah and Aurora both sat back down

“What can I do for you?” Winona asked, trying to conceal her disappointht, but still