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He’d come here a couple of times over the past month, for no reason other than it seemed to be the one place he could think about her and let his eh hist and frustration out on Or for them to take note over how much he missed her

As he’d told Sheena, forgiveness was not the issue at hand How to reconcile with Jade and find soether Yet even as he contemplated that idea, he wondered if it was too late He’d let a lot of ti with her in any form Not exactly the best means to express one’s love for another

He shook his head As much as he’d like to blame his inability to reach out to Jade these past several weeks on his lack of ro as an excuse The truth was, he’d considered not reconnecting with her because the obstacles seereat—and threatened his sanity when it came to her daredevil ways

This still weighed heavy on his h softly, in both welco to Darien Moments later, the sound of booted feet on the stone steps caused his pulse to spike He kneas about to join hi

She walked slowly toward hi from her

Her gaze slid to the view he had, and then she said, “Master of all you survey, hmm?”

He hopped down froe “Not all” Not her, certainly He took her in froht sweater She had es on her face “Starting your gardening?” he ut wrenched with ht of her

An overwhel all about the fact she constantly defied him and put herself in harm’s way, overcame him But he resisted the temptation

She said, “Actually, I’ve been looking for the necklace Sheena has been helping too At night when I have my watch”

His brow dipped “You’re rooting around on hands and knees?”

“I’ to find the pendant and return it to you,” she insisted “I don’t care what it takes”

He stepped toward her, held out his hand and uncurled his fingers In his palm lay the Star of Nadia

She gasped and relief seemed to wash over her “You found it Thank God!” She pressed a hand to her chest “I am so happy”

Closing the gap between them, he said, “Take it”

Her head shook sharply and her eyes greide “Absolutely not”