Chapter One

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When Zachary Taylor's green eyes met hers across the crowd in Perfect Pizza, Lindsey
Duggan felt like one of those fish her brother used to catch in Jackson Lake. Though
she'd planned to hang back and silently watch as he reunited with former friends, she
found herself reeled in by the smile of delight on his lips when he saw her walk through
the door.

She could no more fight the pull than trout could resist her brother's fancy lures. Lindsey
wove through the tables filled with classmates from high school days and her traitorous
heart swelled in her chest.

It was only natural, she told herself. A woman would have to be blind not to appreciate
Zach's charms.

At just over six feet with a trim muscular body, Zach retained the charisma and
confidence he'd had when he led the Jackson Hole High football team to back-to-back
state championships his junior and senior year, eight years ago. Though he'd been cute as
a boy, maturity had added depth to his handsome face.

She wanted to run her fingers through his chestnut hair. And those emerald eyes that often
saw too much looked strangely golden in the restaurant's fluorescent lights.

Like most in the room he was dressed casually in jeans and a cotton shirt. The party his
friends had organized was to celebrate his return to Jackson Hole to take over the
coaching reins at the high school he'd once attended.

"Lindsey," Hailey Randall squealed. "I'm glad you could make it."

The pretty blonde had been a good friend of Lindsey's sister, Sarah. In fact, Hailey and
her high school boyfriend, Liam, had often double-dated with Sarah and Zach. Though no
one had expected Liam and Hailey to last, back then everyone said Sarah and Zach would
be together forever.

"How could I miss it?" Lindsey gave Hailey a quick hug. "Former football star returns
and all that. I'm sure Sarah would have been happy to see him getting a chance to do what
he loves."

Some of the tension in the petite blonde's shoulders seemed to ease. It was as if Lindsey
mentioning her sister had opened a door, allowing Hailey to step through.

"I miss her so much." Hailey's smile turned wistful as her hand encompassed all the noise
and confusion. "She loved parties."
Lindsey nodded. Her sister had definitely been an extrovert.

Of the three children in their family, Sarah had gotten the best traits of both parents.
Instead of her father's red hair, Sarah had been a strawberry blonde. Instead of their
mother's non-descript green-blue eyes that Lindsey had garnered, Sarah's eyes were big
and blue. But it had always been her sister's effervescent personality and joie de vivre that
drew both men and women to her.

Everyone had loved Sarah. Including Zach.

Her sister had been gone almost eight years now, struck by leukemia her freshman year in
college. Recalling Sarah's valiant fight still brought an ache to Lindsey's heart.

"Hey, beautiful, you made it."

To Lindsey's astonishment, Zach stepped between her and Hailey and pulled her into his
arms for a big hug. For a second, for one wonderful second, Lindsey let herself cling to
him.

His smell, that scent of soap and shampoo, was so familiar and so dear she longed to hold
on tight and never let him go. Instead she released him and took a step back.

"Welcome home, Zach," she said, her voice sounding prim and unnatural. "You're going
to love the staff at the high school. It's a great group of people."

"Since you're one of my fellow teachers, I know I will." To her chagrin, he looped one
arm around her shoulders.

When she noticed Hailey exchanged a swift significant look with Karla Anderson,
another one of their classmates, Lindsey deliberately fluffed back her hair, dislodging his
arm.

His bemused smile told her that he was aware her action had been deliberate. The look in
his eyes wasn't one of resigned acceptance. It was as if she'd waved a red flag in front of
a bull.

Perhaps coming tonight had been a mistake.

"Have you eaten dinner?" Zach solicitously steered her toward a table laden with a
variety of pizzas.

"I'm not hungry." Lindsey lowered her voice to a whisper. "You don't have to keep me
company. Hang out with your classmates. They're here to see you."
"You're who I want to talk to." His green eyes gave her an appraising glance, making her
glad she'd worn her favorite summer dress. The bright buttercup yellow complemented
the bronze hair skimming her shoulders. "You look incredible."

"Thank you." Lindsey shifted uncomfortably, even as the look in his eyes sent blood
flowing through her veins like warm honey. While she knew she was above average in
looks, she couldn't hold a candle to her beautiful sister. Or even to most of the women in
this room.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Cassidy Kaye, another Jackson Hole High
alumni, and owner of the popular Clippety Do Dah Salon, walk through the door. "I'm
going to say hello to Cassidy."

"I'll stop by your place later."

"No need," Lindsey said quickly. "It's your first night back. I'm sure there are a million
things you have"

"We need to talk."

"You could text me?" She offered a bright smile. "Let me know how your evening went.
We can catch up another time."

His gaze settled on her and she wondered if he was recalling all the texts they'd sent the
past twenty months, ever since she'd moved back to Jackson Hole and he'd stayed in
Denver.

She'd been shocked when her first teaching job out of college had been at the same high
school where Zach taught. With Sarah and Jackson Hole linking them, they'd quickly
become friends.

Because Zach had been Sarah's boyfriend, Lindsey felt easy in his company. No worries
about impressing him. With him she could be herself.

They started hanging out, going for pizza, to sporting events and an occasional movie
they both wanted to see. When her fellow teachers teased her about her handsome
boyfriend, she'd roll her eyes and tell them it wasn't like that between her and Zach.

But she had to admit that shortly before she'd moved back to Jackson Hole to accept a
teaching position at the high school, she'd started having lascivious dreams about him.

Simple sexual frustration brought on by being a healthy twenty-four-year-old female who

hadn't had sexever. It was beyond embarrassing.

Lindsey told herself she needed to date more. Unfortunately, all of the men who'd asked
her out paled in comparison to Zach.
Though she assumed Zach would quickly find someone special once she left Colorado,
that hadn't happened. Of course he'd been busy: teaching, coaching and finishing his
Masters in Ed Administration.

She'd even decided not to respond if he contacted her. After all, the only thing holding
them together had been proximity and their mutual love for Sarah.

When she told Zach that very thing the night before she'd left for Jackson Hole, he'd gone
silent. She wasn't surprised. How could you argue with the truth?

Over a month had passed before Zach sent her a text. By then she was so eager to hear
from him, there was no way she couldn't respond. Especially to an innocuous text filled
with funny anecdotes about her former fellow teachers.

Within two months, they were texting daily and talking every Sunday night. He'd call
promptly at four and they'd spend hours talking about anything and everything. Even as
she felt herself growing closer to him, she made a point of keeping in mind they were
simply friends.

The last time she and Zach had spoken he'd told her they needed to discuss their
relationship, that it couldn't continue the way it had been going.

She understood. He was twenty-six. It was time he started looking for Ms. Right.

How could he do that if he was hanging around with her?

Chapter Two
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Once she got home, Lindsey considered staying dressed up until Zach arrived, then
laughed and told herself she was being ridiculous. Zach wasn't a guy she was trying to
impress. He was a buddy, a friend. For how much longer she couldn't be sure, but she'd
known the end would come eventually.

He'd find some pretty blonde or a stunning redhead, a woman with a vivacious
personality. Once he had a woman like that, what would he need with an Economics
teacher with hair that couldn't decide whether it was tan or red and a body that was more
leggy than curvy? A woman who preferred to stay at home and bake rather than go out
and party?

"Pumpkin bread," she murmured as she changed into her supremely comfortable yoga
pants, topping them with a brick-colored tunic top.
When she'd been in Denver, Lindsey often baked for the other teachers. Zach had
especially loved her specialty breads: buttermilk chocolate, graham streusel and
cranberry crumble. She was certain he'd like her pumpkin bread, too.

She preheated the oven, took out the round Sanka coffee can her grandmother had always
used then mixed the ingredients. When she finally placed the can in the oven, Lindsey
smiled, imagining Zach's reaction when she gave him a loaf to take home.

He was always so appreciative, probably because he hadn't gotten a lot of homemade

food growing up. His parents were both busy executives flying all over the country for
their jobs. Once Zach had graduated from high school, they'd split up and now lived on
the east coast. Lindsey could still remember Sarah telling her she wanted to be like Mrs.
Taylor when she grew up, sophisticated and chic with a boatload of money.

The next hour passed quickly and Lindsey had just taken the bread out of the oven when
a knock sounded at the door.

A feeling of dread coursed through her veins. What if he told her tonight it was best they
go their separate ways? It was inevitable that he'd come to his senses and realize that she
wasn't half the woman her sister had been. Though she knew it would be best for both of
them, the knowledge didn't make the thought of losing him easier to bear.

A second knock had her scurrying across the hardwood floor to fling open the door.

"Hey." Zach smiled broadly but she could see the lines of fatigue edging his eyes. "I
thought I had the wrong place."

"It's a bit difficult to find." She stepped back and motioned him inside, shutting the door
behind him. "Housing is so expensive that this efficiency was the best I could do."

He glanced around the room that served as a combination bedroom, living room with a
tiny alcove kitchen.

"Where do you sleep?"

She pointed to a cabinet in the wall. "Murphy bed."

He laughed and crossed the short distance to the cabinet. "I've never seen one in real life.
Is it difficult to pull out?"

"Not at all." She smiled. "I'll show it to you sometime."

If you're still around, Lindsey silently added.

"Thanks for coming, tonight." Zach shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on
his heels. "It wouldn't have been the same without you there."
"I seriously doubt that." She gestured for him to sit on a loveseat, then took a seat beside
him.

Reaching out, he took her hand, his gaze locking on hers. "I've missed you, Lin."

Her throat worked hard against a sudden lump. It took a couple of seconds before she
could speak.

"I missed you, too." Despite the admission, she kept her tone matter-of-fact. "Hence the
pumpkin bread."

"Huh?" Confusion covered his handsome face. It was almost like he'd been traveling in
one direction and the road had unexpectedly taken him down an alley.

"I made you pumpkin bread. My grandmother's recipe. I thought maybe you and Liam
would like a slice in the morning."

Since Zach hadn't yet found a place to stay, his friend had offered him the use of his sofa.

"I wondered what smelled so good when I walked in." That odd softness was back in his
eyes and a look that made her skin feel too tight. "And here I thought it was you."

Lindsey gave a nervous laugh."Pumpkin perfume. I'm not thinking that would be a big
hit."

He started to lean forward and she knew he meant to kiss her. Not a casual, friendly kiss,
like what they'd shared in the past. The expression in his eyes said this would be
something more, something that would make it even harder once he walked away.

She jumped to her feet, almost hitting his nose with her elbow. "I need to check on the
bread."

With her back to him, she made a great show of examining the round tin, though there
was really nothing to be done. She really should ask him to leave.

"Go for a walk with me."

"What?" She whirled. "It's ten o'clock."

"So?" He pulled to his feet. "It's a beautiful night and I've been sitting all day."

As if he sensed her wavering, he took a step closer but made no move to touch.
"Remember all the walks we took in Denver? That one day we covered ten miles."
"Fifteen," she said, recalling the crisp fall day when the leaves had just begun to change.
That had been the first time he'd kissed her. The brief brush of his lips against hers had
left her tingling all over.

"Walk with me, Lin." He held out his hand. "Please."

Her heart skipped a beat. She took a breath in and let it out slowly. "Since you ask so
nicely, how can I refuse?"

He took her arm as they headed down the rickety steps of the apartment building that
hadn't been all that great when it had been built in the 1960s. Zach frowned but said
nothing.

Neither did Lindsey. She didn't want to talk about cheap apartment complexes that cost
an arm and a leg. She simply wanted to enjoy the warm night air and the company of a
person she considered her closest friend.

They reached the sidewalk in front of the building and she paused, shifting her gaze to
him. "You pick the direction."

"It's your turn," he said, surprising her by remembering. In Denver, they'd taken turns
choosing the route theyd walked. The night before she'd returned to Jackson Hole, he'd
picked the route, one that happened to be a favorite of hers.

"But it's your first night back."

He took her arm, gesturing with his head to the left. "That way."

The air was heavy with the scent of roses and those wonderful lilacs that bloomed all
summer. Lindsey inhaled deeply and felt herself begin to relax.

"Tell me about your evening." She slanted a sideways glance. Before she could give her
standard admonishment, he laughed.

"And don't leave anything out," he said, his smile wide and relaxed. "Yes, ma'am."

As they strolled, he told her Liama child psychologistwas going into practice with
Dr. Peter Allman, a popular local psychologist. It seemed natural to have his hand slide
down her arm and his fingers entwine with hers. The warmth from his touch traveled up
her arm.

Zach had just finished telling her about Cassidy's desire to eventually open a second shop
when he came to an abrupt stop.

The high school loomed before them. Curious, she smiled at Zach."Eager to get started?"
Keeping his hand firmly on hers, he tugged her in the direction of the football field. "I'd
like to take a quick look."

They crossed the yard to the field flanked by the bleachers where she'd sat watching her
sister cheer.

He glanced at the underside of the metal seats and a faraway look filled his eyes. The
lights kept on around the school allowed her to see Zach clearly.

His lips curved."I kissed my first girl under these bleachers."

That girl couldn't have been her sister. Not unless he'd waited until he was a senior to get
his first kiss. She'd been a freshmanin college.

"You never forget that first kiss under the bleachers. For me it was Carly Leonard. Who
was it for you?"

She supposed she could have lied. But she'd always been straight with Zach."No kiss
under the bleachers for me."

He appeared so disbelieving she had to laugh. "God's truth."

"Well, we're going to have to do something about that," he responded with a long stare
that fried every brain cell she possessed.

Lindsey was still processing the words, when he folded her into his arms, anchoring her
against his chest as his mouth covered hers in a deep, compelling kiss.

Chapter Three
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Lindsey had been kissed, but never like this. Her blood was like a fire in her veins and
her pulse throbbed hard and thick. She forgot everythingeven the need to keep her
distancein the pleasure of the contact.

"You're beautiful," he whispered into her ear right before he took the lobe between his
teeth and nibbled.

Shivers rippled across her skin. If this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up.

Once again his mouth moved to hers and he began to kiss her with a slow thoroughness
that left her weak, trembling and longing for more. When his tongue once again swept
across her lips seeking access, she eagerly opened her mouth to him.

The warmth in her lower belly turned fiery hot and became a pulsing need.
"I want you," he murmured, his mouth skimming the edge of her jaw, as if testing the
sweetness of her skin.

"I hadn't noticed." Lindsey pressed herself more fully against him and, feeling the hard
length of him against her belly, gasped. Some of her nervousness faded at his quick
laughter.

Zach spread his hands over her buttocks and pressed her more fully against his erection.

It was like a dream, a wonderful erotic dream, where desire hung thick as molasses in the
air and nothing existed but the two of them.

Their kisses became more urgent and fevered. The need rising as he moved his body
against hers, up and down, up and down. The rhythmic movement made her pulse against
him. Her need was a stark carnal hunger she hadn't even known she was capable of
feeling. She couldn't get enough and she couldn't seem to keep control. Lindsey strained
against him, reaching, needing, wanting.

She dropped her hands to his hips to pull him closer."Oh, yes," she moaned. "Oh, yes."

Lindsey couldn't focus, couldn't think, could only feel. She surged against the pleasure
swelling like the tide inside her. Then her entire body convulsed in release and she could
only hang on as the sensations crashed over her.

Zach's fingers trembled slightly as they reverently touched the curve of her cheek then
trailed along the line of her jaw.

Lindsey's heart beat so hard she could feel the pulsing in her stomach. Whatever had just
happened between them had been no dream. She wasn't sure she wanted to think about
what it meant, if anything.

It took her several seconds to find her voice. "Ah, Zach."

With a start she realized she was stroking the back of his neck, twining her fingers in his
thick, soft hair. She should stop, she told herself sternly, but couldn't seem to pull her
hand away, reluctant to give up the intimacy.

"Yes, Lin." He pressed a soft, sweet kiss at the corner of her mouth.

"Do you want to go back to my place and have some pumpkin bread?"

"You did not say that to him." Hailey squealed in laughter, plopping back against her sofa
cushions.
"I did," Lindsey admitted with a rueful smile. "Sort of like thanks for the orgasm, want
some pumpkin bread?"

Hailey howled, the noise bringing Bandit, Hailey's Border collie, padding into the room.
The black and white dog stared for a couple of seconds before heading back into the
kitchen where Cam Ferris, an eight-year-old boy Hailey watched during the day, was
building a tent using her kitchen table and several blankets.

"What did Zach say?" Hailey wiped tears from the corners of her eyes with the pads of
her fingers.

"Not much." Lindsey felt a flush creep up her neck. "We walked back to my place. Talked
about the upcoming school year and the Bronc's football practice schedule. But he didn't
come in. He took the bread and went home."

Her friend simply stared, as if Lindsey had been speaking a language she didn't
understand.

"I don't think he knew how to respond. He'd never want to hurt my feelings." Lindsey had
given this matter a lot of thought."I think he was embarrassed."

Hailey cleared her throat. "Why embarrassed?"

"He gives me this friendly kiss under the bleachers and I have an orgasm." Lindsey
shuddered. "Who does that?"

Hailey straightened and leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees, her eyes intense
and very blue."First, what he gave you doesn't sound to me like just a friendly kiss.
Second, I think he was probably as affected as you by the kissing, but, ah, didn't get the
relief."

Lindsey felt the heat crawl up her neck."Could this get any more complicated?"She
expelled a heavy sigh and answered her own question."Why yes, Lindsey it could."

Hailey's lips twitched. "I'm giving up television. Now that I have you and Zach to keep
me entertained."

"Glad I could be of help," Lindsey said drily.

"Tell me about it being complicated."

"It's time Zach starts looking for a girlfriend," Lindsey said, surprised Hailey couldn't
figure out something so simple.

Hailey continued to look confused.

"Any time he has needs to be spent dating." Just saying the words caused a knot to form
in Lindsey's stomach.

"That doesn't make sense. He likes you. You like him. You two should be dating."

A sad smile tipped the corners of Lindsey's lips. If only it could be that simple. "I'm
Sarah's sister."

"And I'm Tripp's sister."

Anger spurted in Lindsey's veins. Now, she knew Hailey was being deliberately obtuse.
And she didn't appreciate it at all. Didn't her friend realize this whole situation was
breaking Lindsey's heart?

"You being Tripp's sister doesn't have a thing to do with anything." Lindsey spoke more
harshly than she intended."Sarah and my brother were inseparable their entire senior year.
They went to the same college. He held her hand when she passed away. He cried for
her."

Hailey scooted close to Lindsey and took her hand."Your sister has been gone eight years.
They were both young. Maybe what Zach felt for Sarah was love. Maybe they would
have stayed together, gotten married, had children. But they didn't."

A tear slipped down Lindsey's cheek but whether it was for Sarah or her own current
predicament, she couldn't say. She hurriedly brushed it away.

"You like Zach. He likes you. Give it a chance," Hailey urged. "What do you have to
lose?"

"I spent my whole life feeling second best to my sister," Lindsey said in a strangled tone.
"It would kill me if I thought each time Zach looked at me, he was wishing I was Sarah."

"Why don't you ask him how he feels?" At Lindsey's incredulous look, Hailey
laughed."You're right. Bad idea."

The two women sat in silence for several seconds. "If you want my advice, I say don't cut
the game short. Play all four quarters and see where you stand at the end."

"He could break my heart."

"If you walk away now, you'll never know if you two could have made it all the way."
Hailey met Lindsey's gaze."Regrets don't usually arise from what we've done, but from
what we didn't do."

"He asked if I was going to chaperone the kick-off dance this Saturday," Lindsey
confided."Apparently he already got roped into it."
Hailey inclined her head questioningly.

"Okay.I'll go for it." Lindsey steeled her resolve."I'll try to stay in the game for all four
quarters. But pray I don't get thrown for a loss in the end zone."

Chapter Four
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As Zach climbed the stairs to Lindsey's efficiency apartment on Saturday night, he

worried whether kissing her so ardently the last time they'd been together had been a fatal
error. He'd wanted her for so long, had missed her so much when she moved away, that
just being in the same room with her at Perfect Pizza had seemed like heaven. Then when
her lips had melded against his, under that full moon, his brain had shut down and all the
blood had gone to another part of his anatomy.

He wanted her in a way he could no longer deny. Not as a friend, but as a lover, a soul-
mate, a wife. The trouble was, he couldn't seem to get a clear picture of what she wanted
from him.

She liked him. That much he knew. They had fun when they were together and never ran
out of things to discuss. Her eyes lit up whenever he walked into a room, which he took
to be a good sign. But, and this was the confusing part, whenever things seemed to be
heating up, or they got too close to discussing feelings or the future, she skittered back
like one of those crabs fearful of being thrown in a pot of boiling water.

Heck, he'd brought her to orgasm and she'd offered him pumpkin bread.

His lips twitched. How he loved her.

She opened the door before he had the chance to knock, wearing a pink poodle skirt with
a satiny shirt in the same shade. Her hair flipped at the ends.

"You look adorable." He leaned close, intending to kiss her. But, at the last second she
turned and he brushed her cheek with his lips instead.

"I love your tie-died shirt." She gazed admiringly at the plain white t-shirt that had been
transformed into a wild mass of colors before her eyes dropped."Bell-bottom jeans and
huarache sandals. You, my man, are stylin'."

"I hope you and I aren't the only faculty members who dressed up."

She looped her arm through his and her smile made him forget anything but her. "Trust
me. Everyonestaff and kidslove nothing more than a chance to dress up."

+
Lindsey sensed Zach's relief when they walked into the school's gym. The theme for the
evening was "Dancin' through the Decades!"There were vinyl records hanging from the
ceiling and soda shop signs on the wall celebrating the 50s.The 1960s era spawned peace
signs and flower power posters along with a rainbow cake on the refreshment table.

A beaded curtain paid homage to the 1970s and both Lindsey and Zach were given a
bright yellow happy-face button. But it was the 1980s that seemed to have captured the
imagination of most of the attendees. Big hair and mile high bangs for the girls. Leg
warmers and Converse shoes. For the guys, acid- washed jeans and colorful tight shirts.

Zach notice several boys at the refreshment table and grimaced."Cutting your hair into a
mullet is going too far."

Lindsey giggled, then paused, unnerved by the sound.

"You're cute when you giggle." He looped an arm around her shoulder in a gesture she
found endearing but totally inappropriate.

She brushed it off before anyone could notice."We're supposed to set the example," she
said in a low voice."No touching."

He stared at her, a smile hovering on the corners of those skillful lips."For now."

Anticipation fluttered through her. She'd meant what she'd said to Hailey. She was tired
of standing in the shadows, telling herself she was content with scraps. She was going to
go full out and see where it took her.

The evening flew by. Lindsey had never attended a high school dance back in the day and
she found herself shocked by some of the dance moves. She, Zach and the rest of the
chaperones spent most of their time pulling kids apart. But the one slow song, sung by Al
Green, she danced with Zach.

Dancing under the golden mirror ball, with her arms around his neck, she could almost
believe she was his date. The one she wanted for all time. Whenever she thought about
him and her sister, she shoved the images back. Tonight, she would not allow any
shadows between them.

The dance ended promptly at eleven, but the teachers stayed to help the students on the
planning committee clean-up. One of the girlsDarlareminded Lindsey of herself at
that age. While everything about her was perfect for a sixties girl, from her green baby
doll dress with an ivory satin sash tied in a bow under her breasts to her pointy-toed
pumps, it was as if she'd missed the mark by trying too hard.

Lindsey had kept her eye on her all evening. As far as she'd seen, not one boy had asked
her to dance.
"You did a good job planning the party," Lindsey told her.

"Yeah, well." An unhappy weariness edged the girl's eyes. She lifted one shoulder in a
shrug. "You looked like you were having fun."

"I never went to a dance in high school," Lindsey told her, keeping her gaze focused on
the girl and paying no attention to Zach headed her way.

Surprise skittered across Darla's face."Why not?"

"Back then it wasn't a dateless event like it is now." Lindsey scooped a glob of cake from
the floor with a napkin and threw it into the trash."You had to have a date. No one asked."

"But you're pretty."

"So are you." Lindsey placed a hand on the girl's arm."Trust me, boys get smarter the
older they get."

The girl giggled. "I better go. See you."

"That was kind of you," Zach said once Darla was out of earshot.

"Just keeping it real." She placed her hands on her hips and surveyed the room. What
little remained to do was already being handled by other staff and students. She turned to
Zach."Looks like we can cut out."

He reached for her hand, but she gave a little warning shake, glancing meaningfully in
the direction of the principal.

"How were you keeping it real by lying to her?" Zach asked as he opened the door. There
was no condemnation in his tone, only curiosity.

Confused, Lindsey tilted her head. "I didn't lie."

"You said you'd never gone to a dance because no one asked."

"That's true," she said, as they started toward the parking lot.

"How can that be?"

"Boys get smarter as they get older."

"I'd have asked" He stopped as if realizing what he was about to say wasn't true.
They both knew Zach wouldn't have given her a second glance in high school. Back then,
all of his attention had been focused on her sister. If not Sarah, another cheerleader would
have caught his eye.

"Men do get smarter as they get older." He shut her car door then rounded the front to slip
behind the wheel.

Lindsey smiled. She refused to let the incident ruin what so far had been a perfect
evening.

"I never realized before how much fun a school dance could be," she told him.

He slanted a sideways glance as he pulled out of the lot, a lazy smile on his lips."Slow
dancing with you was my favorite part of the evening."

Lindsey ducked her head, biting her lip. "Mine, too."

"The only thing was," he said in a casual tone she guessed was anything but casual, "I
couldn't take it as far as I wanted."

Puzzled, Lindsey pulled her brows together."Were there some dance moves you didn't
think I could handle?"

"Not dance moves." Shadows played in his eyes making them unreadable."I wanted to
make love to you under the mirror ball while Al Green sang in the background."

Her heart stuttered. She swallowed hard then forced a light tone."Who'd have guessed we
were having the same fantasy?"

"That answers my question." His tone was disarmingly calm and composed as he stopped
at a light and reached over and took her hand.

Sensation licked up her arm, down her breasts and on down to pool between her thighs.
She cleared her throat and finally found her voice. "What question is that?"

The moment her eyes touched his, something inside her seemed to lock into place, and
she could not look away.

He took the fingers of her hand and kissed them, featherlight. "Are you finally going to
sleep with me tonight?"

Chapter Five
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Lindsey was relieved they were going to her postage stamp-sized apartment. Since Zach
was bunking with Liam, his place wasn't an option. He followed her home but parked
around the block, not even blinking when she made the request.

Though this was the twenty-first century, they were two high school teachers. There was
no need to flaunt that they were sleeping together this one time.

Lindsey had no doubt that this would be temporary, as opposed to the beginning of a
lifetime of nights together. She might date Zach, but when she finally did settle down, she
had to be number one in her husband's heart.

Marriage to Zach wasn't on the table. Despite what she'd told Hailey, once school started,
she'd need to wean herself from him, giving himand herselfthe opportunity to find
that forever someone.

But tonight, she would be selfish. She wanted to spend the night in Zach's arms. She
wanted him to be the first to touch her, the first to make love to her, before she had to let
him go.

Thankfully, she was prepared. Last year the doctor had put her on the Pill to regulate her
periods. Needing them for birth control hadn't been an issue. Not then.

She waited for Zach at the bottom of the stairs leading to her unit. When he rounded the
corner of the house and she saw him, she smiled.

"I really like this look on you."Using her admiration of the shirt as an excuse to touch
him, she fingered the fabric of at his sleeve.

"I'd say I'll wear it all the time." His eyes grew soft in the moonlight."But that would be a
lie. And I won't lie to you."

His mouth skimmed the edge of her jaw, as if testing the sweetness of her skin.

She shivered.

Zach lifted his head from her neck."Cold?"

She gave a throaty laugh then turned and started up the stairs, answering over her
shoulder. "Quite the opposite."

When she opened the door and flipped on the lights, he was right behind her.

Zach kicked the door shut and pulled her into his arms."I've wanted to do this all night."
His hand flattened against her lower back, drawing her up against the length of his body.
Lindsey pressed herself more fully against him, the action bringing back memories of the
last time he'd held her so intimately.

She longed to run her hands over his body, to feel the coiled strength of skin and muscle
sliding under her fingers. She wanted him to touch her in the same way, wanted to feel
the weight of his body on hers. Wanted to feel him inside her.

She planted a kiss at the base of his throat, his skin salty beneath her lips.

Even as Zach began kissing her, his hand moved to her shirtfront, quickly unbuttoning
the silky blouse and pulling it from her waistband. She felt the coolness of the air for only
a second. Then his hand closed over one breast, cupping it high in his hand, circling the
peak with his fingers.

She inhaled sharply. Her stomach felt as if it had dropped three feet straight down.

As if worried he might have moved too quickly, his hand left her breast to stroke her
back, while he murmured sweet words and nuzzled her neck.

"I didn't want you to stop," she whispered, a wave of embarrassment stealing up her neck.

She felt his smile against her cheek before he stepped back.

"I have no intention of stopping. I just thought we might want to be morecomfortable."

Keeping his arms around her, he gestured with his head to the Murphy bed several feet
away.

Anticipating a late night, Lindsey had pulled the bed down and even turned back the
covers.

Her cheeks burned even hotter when she saw his eyes flare at the sight of the red satin
sheets."They were on sale." She stumbled over the words."They're very comfortable."

"I can't wait to find out for myself," he murmured, twining strands of her hair loosely
around his fingers."But first there's something we need to discuss."

Lindsey went cold all over, already anticipating his words."I know that this doesn't mean
any"

He closed her mouth with a sweet gentle kiss. A look of tenderness crossed his face."I
simply wanted to make sure you're protected. I didn't anticipate coming here tonight so I
don't have"

"I'm on the Pill," she said."And, I-I'm clean."

"Me, too. I guess all systems are go." Zach moved his arm so her hand slid down to his
and he gently locked their fingers together, pulling her to the bed.

"Lindsey," was all he said, his voice a husky caress.

A smoldering heat flared through her, a sensation she didn't bother to fight. She stood
docilely while he slipped her shirt off her shoulders and unclipped her bra. While he shed
his clothes, she fumbled with snaps and buttons until her skirt joined the rest of her
clothesand hisin a heap on the floor.

She only had a second to admire his broad chest, lean hips and muscular legs before he
moved close.

His hands spanning her waist, Zach ran his palms up along her sides, skimming the curve
of her breast before he allowed the tips of her fingers just the barest of contact with her
tender flesh.

Her nipples stiffened, straining toward the remembered delight of his touch.

Zach's long fingers lifted and supported her yielding flesh as his thumbs brushed across
the tight points of her nipples. His stroking fingers sent shock waves through her body.

Lindsey really wasn't sure what happened after that point. The following minutesor
was it hours?swirled together in a blur of feeling, of sensation, of emotion. Just the feel
of his hand on her belly made her want to squirm.

She barely had time to gaze at his arousal before he settled between her legs. She felt a
shivery kind of ache all over. The momentary flicker of fear was thrust aside in mounting
desire. She wanted him inside her.

"Yes," she whispered as he raised his head and gazed into her eyes."Be in me."

She reached between them and guided him inside. He was large. For a second she
worried he was too large. But he didn't rush. He took his time, kissing her breasts, her
lips, her neck, murmuring endearments that brought tears to her eyes even as sensation
pooled between her thighs.

He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close to they pressed together everywhere.
She clung to him, urging him deeper.

"More." She breathed as he withdrew only to fill her again.

With one hard thrust he was fully inside. She sensed his shock but her control had
snapped.
When he began to withdraw, she clung to him, moving her hips in that age old rhythm
until he relaxed and began to move in and out.

She met him thrust for thrust.

I love you. I love you. I love you. The words were a mantra in her head as she surged
against the pleasure swelling like the tide inside her.

Though she tried to hold back, wanting this time with him to last forever, sensation
swamped her and the orgasm hit her with breathtaking speed.

At the very end, he shuddered in her embrace and called out her name.

She'd been a virgin. And she'd rocked his world.

What Zach had experienced with her was something he'd never had with anyone else. A
complete connection. Love, he thought, really did make a difference.

Sensing her need for reassurance, Zach wrapped his arms around Lindsey and just held
her."That was amazing. You are amazing."

"I'm sure you've been with more skilled"

"No," he said, refusing to let her put herself down, realizing she did this far too
frequently. "It's never been like that with anyone."

She lifted her head from his chest, seeming genuinely puzzled by his response.

"I-I care about you, Lindsey," he found himself stammering. Love, he felt certain, wasn't
a word she was ready to hear. "I believe you care about me."

"I do." Shadows played in her eyes, making them unreadable.

"You were a virg"

She pressed two fingers against his lips. "No more talking. I have something better in
mind."

Reaching down, her hand closed over the length of him.

Chapter Six
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Why had she invited Zach to her mother's house for dinner? Had she gone stark raving
mad?

Apparently so. And Lindsey knew exactly when she'd began to snapthe night she and
Zach had first made love. In the two weeks since, she'd thrown her good sense to the
wind. She and Zach had been inseparable. With school startingand football practice in
high geartime had been at a premium. Still, they'd seized whatever time had been
available.

They'd gone fishing at Jackson Lake, bike riding at Yellowstone and spent quiet evenings
at her place lying in bed and making love.

She hadn't spoken of what was happening with anyone, not with Hailey and certainly not
with her mother. Not only because she wasn't a person who easily shared intensely
private emotions but because she didn't know what was happening. Other than she was
walking on ground that any minute could crumble beneath her feet.

For the first time in her life, she didn't care that she'd undoubtedly wind up with a broken
heart. For now, she would seize the moment. She loved hearing Zach tell her she was
beautiful and smart and funny. She wanted to believe, if only in a tiny corner of her heart,
that he loved her as much as she loved him.

Love.

She'd never said the word to him. In fact, whenever he started to talk about how much he
cared, she changed the subject. He liked her, but she understood a man didn't have to care
to make love to a woman.

And yet when his fingers linked with hers, and he brushed gentle kisses down her neck,
she let herself believe that what he felt for her went beyond liking. Because believing that
made her feel happy.

A knock at her door had her insides jiggling like a bowl of jelly.

"Come on in," Lindsey called out, pleased her voice was steady."It's unlocked."

She'd told Zach lunch would be a casual affair with just her parents, her brother Tim and
his two daughters. She'd thought Zach would show up in jeans and a t-shirt. Instead he
wore khakis and a navy polo that made his eyes look as blue as the sky.

Lindsey glanced down at the ankle jeans and striped cotton shirt that buttoned up the
front and grimaced.

Zach crossed the room and kissed her in a gesture that had become commonplace. "Do I
look that bad?"
At first she didn't understand what he meant. Once she did, she laughed."No, it's me. You
look so good, I was wondering if I should change."

"Don't you dare." He tugged her to him. "I love the way you look."

Something in his eyes, some emotion she couldn't quite identify had her breath catching
in her throat. One hand cupped her butt and gave a squeeze.

"None of that, mister. My mother will have a fit if we're late."With a breathless laugh, she
pulled away. "Let me get the corn salad I made from the fridge."

Zach cocked his head. "Should I bring something? I'm not a cook, but we could stop and I
could buy a bottle of wine?"

"No need."Lindsey took the covered dish from the refrigerator. "You're my guest."

"I'm looking forward to seeing your parents and brother."

When he paused but didn't continue, she knew he'd been about to say "again." Because
during the time he and Sarah had dated, he'd been at their home plenty of times. Her
mother had adored him.

When her mother had called and asked Lindsey to dinner, she'd initially turned her down,
saying she already had plans. But Suzanne Duggan had pressed until Lindsey had
admitted her plans were with Zach. Her mother had insisted she bring him along.

She told herself that at least her brother would be there with his daughters, twins Esther
and Ellyn.

Still, Lindsey had a bad feeling about the evening. That's why, even though they were
already running late, she placed the casserole dish on the table, wrapped her arms around
Zach and kissed him like there was no tomorrow.

Zach had eaten many meals at the Duggans' dining room table when he'd dated Sarah.
Usually the evenings spent with her family were tolerable and occasionally fun. Her
father shared his love of sports and her mother clearly doted on Sarah. Tim had already
been away in med school. Lindsey had been two years younger than Sarah. He
remembered her as being a pretty but shy girl.

He'd never had a meal like tonight. Oh, the food was good: lasagna with individual plates
of antipasto as a side dish and crunchy Italian bread. Suzanne stared at Lindsey's corn
salad topped with spicy Fritos with a displeased expression, even after she explained Tim
had asked her to bring it for the girls.
While everything Sarah had done seemed to please Suzanne Duggan, Lindsey couldn't
catch a break. As the meal progressed, Zach's temper rose.

"I love this salad." Estheror maybe it was Ellynpopped a Frito into her
mouth."Thank you for bringing it."

"It was my pleasure." Lindsey smiled at her niece.

"Thank you," Tim told his sister."I know you've been busy with school beginning, but it's
their favorite and"

"I'm never too busy for my nieces."

"It's nice of you to help your sister's boyfriend acclimate to Jackson Hole," Suzanne said
to Lindsey before turning her attention to Zach. "If things had turned out differently I
have no doubt you'd have returned with Sarah on your arm. You'd probably have a couple
of children by now."

Steve Duggan focused on buttering his French bread. Tim opened his mouth then closed
it.

Lindsey's face went pale.

Zach wanted to lash out, ask her what in the hell she was thinking, bringing up Sarah that
way. Until he saw the tears in Suzanne's eyes and realized the future she'd imagined for
her eldest daughter; a career, a husband and children had been stolen away by the
leukemia.

But even before she was diagnosed there'd been cracks in their relationship. Just about
the time he'd decide to break up with her, she'd received the cancer diagnosis. He'd stood
by her through the failed treatment and heartbreaking decline and death.

"There won't ever be another Sarah," he settled for saying, unable to lie, but seeing no
reason to add to her mother's pain.

He reached for Lindsey's hand but found it out of reach. It remained out of reach through
the rest of the meal, through all the stories about Sarah and her wonderful abilities.
Lindsey's gaze stayed focused on her brother and her two nieces. Away from Zach.

When the Italian Love cake was brought out, Lindsey pushed the chocolaty concoction
around on her plate without eating a bite. She'd told him earlier it was her favorite,

Tim and the girls left soon after dessert was served.

Once her brother and nieces were gone, Lindsey turned toward her parents."Thanks for
the meal. I have some lesson plans to work on. I'm afraid I can't stay."
"I would have thought you'd have had those all done. But then you were always one to
procrastinate." Suzanne shifted her gaze to Zach. "Not like Sarah. She always dove right
into any project and got it done."

Without saying another word, Lindsey walked out of the house.

Everything in Zach urged him to run after her. But first, the words that he'd kept under
tight control all evening could no longer be held back.

He fixed his gaze on Suzanne Duggan.

"While you are right to say Sarah was a lovely girl, you appear to forget you have another
wonderful daughter. Lindsey is amazing. She's the best woman I've ever known." Zach's
voice shook with suppressed emotion. "Regardless of what you might think, Sarah and I
were not meant to be together. In fact, we were on the verge of breaking up when she got
sick."

Suzanne's eyes were wide with disbelief. "I had no idea"

"The past doesn't matter. What matters is how you treat Lindsey." His voice grew soft but
with an edge of steel running through it."I said nothing earlier out of respect for you and
your husband. But be warned, I won't remain silent in the future if you speak to her with
such disrespect. Even if you are her parents, I won't let anyone talk to the woman I love
in such a manner."

Chapter Seven
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Lindsey let Zach walk her to the back steps. But when he started to follow her up them,
she turned and held out her hand."Good night."

"Okay, I'll play along." He flashed that boyish smile and gave her hand a firm shake.
"What happens now?"

"You go home." The words came out cool and composed, just as she'd intended. No pain.
No heartbreak. No drama.

Sitting at the dinner table, she realized she'd been fooling herself. She'd never be able to
compete with the memory of Sarah in Zach's heart. In his mind, heck in the minds of her
entire family, Zach would always be Sarah's.

She wondered if he thought of Sarah when he made love to her. Just the thought brought
a pain so sharp it was as if someone had stabbed her in the heart then twisted the knife.

"Tonight was not a good night. We need to talk, Lin." His expression was serious.
She hesitated. On the drive home, she'd deliberately kept the conversation on school-
related matters so she didn't have to discuss anything personal. So she didn't have to say
good-bye.

Lindsey told herself she'd simply be busy when he called. It shouldn't take long for him to
move on. She wasn't sure if the thought made her feel better or worse.

"Let me come up," he said, when she remained silent."Don't I deserve that much?"

She took a breath and let it out slowly, her hands clutching the casserole dish so hard her
knuckles were white. She gave a shaky nod then began to climb.

He followed silently behind her.

Normally, she'd barely get the door open when he'd sweep her into his arms, kissing her
until her knees went boneless.

Tonight he pulled the door shut behind him, took the casserole dish from her hands and
put it in the refrigerator.

Without something in her hands, she felt unsteady and vulnerable. She crossed to the tiny
loveseat and took a seat, thankful the Murphy bed was still in its cabinet.

Zach returned with two glasses of wine.

She shook her head."I'm not very thirsty."

"Take it," he snapped, then immediately softened his voice."Please."

She took the glass from his hand and he settled into a small armless chair designed more
for style than for comfort.

Zach leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs."Your mother was out of line. Before
I left, I let her know it. I hope that doesn't cause problems for you, but I couldn't keep
quiet."

Though she wasn't thirsty, Lindsey took a sip of the wine. "What did you say to her?"

"I told her she wasn't allowed to speak to the woman I love in such a manner."

"Why did you tell her that?"

"She was out of line. I wanted to say something at the time but your nieces were at the
table."

"No, not about that," Lindsey said impatiently."Why did you tell her you love me?"
"Because I do."

"You don't."

A sheepish look crossed his face. "I should have told you first. Well, I'm telling you now,
though I'm sure it's not a surprise. I love you, Lin. More than"

"Don't say it."

"Don't say what?"

"That you love me more than Sarah. Because even if you've convinced yourself that you
love me, I know what you feel for me nowhere near approaches what you felt for my
sister."

"I was about to say more than anything. But I swear you're sounding like your mother,"
he said, with a flicker of annoyance. He was tired of people telling him how he felt.

"My mother may be irritating but she knows the score," Lindsey stubbornly insisted."She
"

"She doesn't know jack." Zach jerked to his feet and began to pace. "Not about our
feelings for each other."

"She knows we're friends."

Incredulous, he stepped back."We're far more than friends."

"I'm sorry I gave you the wrong impression." Tears stung the back of her eyelids but she
kept her voice even and under tight control."While I've enjoyed the time we've spent
together, now that school is in full swing, I think it's best if we cut back to texting each
other now and then."

Zach stared as if she'd lost her mind.

And she had. It made no sense that she'd let him kiss her, caress her, make love to her. Or
to fall in love with him.

"Texting?You want us to just text each other every now and then?"

"Unless we get too busy"

"What's going on?" His brows drew together like two dark thunderclouds."Everything
was fine between us until we went to dinner at your folks. Now you want to give me the
boot."
She lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug and said nothing.

His gaze pinned her."Tell me you don't love me."

Her heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly in her throat. She cleared her throat."I don't
love you."

It was the only way she could get him to leave, but she'd have collapsed at the look of
pain and hurt on his face if she hadn't already been sitting.

He whirled but not before she saw the sheen in his eyes.

She wanted to call him back, but told herself it was best this way. Lowering her gaze,
Lindsey shut her eyes and didn't open them until the door slammed shut.

But when her lids fluttered open, Zach was still there, his hands clenched into fists at his
side. His eyes flashed blue fire."I don't care what you say. You love me. You gave me
your virginity. You didn't want to talk about it, but I knew that was a big deal and it meant
something to me."

"I-I-" Lindsey didn't know what to say.

He took a seat beside her on the small loveseat, his thigh pressing tightly against hers.
Taking the wine glass from her hand, he placed it on a side table next to his.

"Why are you pushing me away? Is it because I didn't stand up for you when your mother
"

"That's not it at all. Mom was right. If Sarah had lived, you and she would be married
now, probably have a kid or two like Tim. I was compared to my sister my whole life and
I lost every time. I can't be with a man who looks at me and wishes I were my sister. No
matter how much I love him."

Though she thought she'd laid out her argument pretty succinctly, the tension in Zach's
shoulders seemed to ease and he even offered a smile.

When he reached for her, she swatted his hand away."Yeah, it's real funny."

"I didn't love Sarah," he said in a quiet voice."I liked her, especially at first. And I cared
about her, but I was about to break up with her when she was diagnosed."

"You were at the hospital all the time. When she was able to get out, the two of you were
inseparable."

"How could I leave her then? How could I just walk away?"
Lindsey tried to process what he was saying. Was it true? How could she know for sure?

He took her hand and this time she let hers rest in his."Your sister and I wanted different
things from life. Her goal was to eventually work in a big city, like New York or Los
Angeles. I wanted to teach and coach football in a small town or suburb."

He rubbed the palm of her hand with his thumb."When you and I ended up teaching at
the same high school, it didn't take me long to realize you were something special. When
you left Denver, the bottom dropped out of my world. Especially when you tried to cut
me out of your life. "

"You weren't easy to cut," she muttered.

"I love you," he said. "And I'm going to say it often, because I don't want you to ever
doubt that you're my dream girl, the one I love with my whole heart, the one I know I'm
meant to be with forever."

Lindsey wanted to believe him, but words were simply words. She crossed her arms and
shook her head.

"How is it you can trust me with your body but not with your heart?" Zach blew an
exasperated breath and began to pace."Okay. I'll show you. We'll date until you know I'm
someone you can trust with your heart."

"You should date"

"If you want to date around, I can't stop you. But I don't want anyone but you."

"All right," she said after a long moment."We'll date."

He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, his blue eyes serious."When you're ready, when
you're sure of me and what I feel for you, you simply say the word and I'll put a ring on
your finger."

To seal the deal, his mouth closed over hers.

Chapter Eight
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The next three months passed quickly and it was nearly Thanksgiving. At the beginning
of the month, Zach's varsity football team celebrated the end of the season with a big win
over rival Douglas. With a 7-2 record, everyone agreed he'd had a stellar first season as
head coach.
Lindsey didn't miss a game. Sitting in the stands, wearing the school's orange and black
colors, she'd cheered for the Broncs. But she had to admit her gaze was often more on
Zach than on the game.

After their "big talk" in August they'd continued to dateand make love. For the sake of
maintaining a clear head, she'd considered putting a halt to physical intimacy. In the end
she agreed with Zach that abstaining would only muddle her brain further.

To Zach's credit, he hadn't once asked if she'd decided she trusted him. But over the past
few weeks Lindsey had become aware her doubts had disappeared. She just wasn't sure
the proper way to tell him of this change.

She'd considered having him over for dinner or simply blurting it out. But it seemed as if
the situation warranted something with more panache.

Lindsey decided to do some pre-holiday baking, starting with a batch of frosted sugar
cookies.

One special box was reserved for Zach and now sat on the table awaiting his arrival. Her
hands trembled as she took off her apron. Her stomach felt as if it had been invaded by a
swarm of butterflies.

Though she'd been expecting him, the knock on the door startled her. She wiped her
sweaty palms on the cashmere tunic dress she wore with leggings."Come in."

Zach stepped inside, quickly pulled the door shut behind him. His cheeks were red from
the cold and his hair wind-tossed. "Since you were out of coffee, I picked up some."

The man I love, Lindsey thought in dazed wonder. The man who loves me.

She smiled and moved to him for a quick kiss before taking the sack from his hands."Hill
of Beans. Good stuff."

"Only the best for me and my girl." He looped an arm around her waist and snaked her to
him for another kiss. "Mmmm.You smell good. Like sugar cookies."

She swatted his arm. "That's the apartment, you goof. I've been baking all morning."

His gaze settled over her. "You look lovely, though you're wearing too many clothes for
what I had in mind."

"Try one of my cookies first."

"Then you'll get naked?"

"If that's what you want."

"You're what I want." He winked and snatched the bag back from her, heading for the
coffeemaker. "And some of this to warm me up."

"Wait."Her hand on his arm had him turning back. She met his gaze."You're what I want,
too. For always."

Something flickered in his eyes, but quickly disappeared. He placed the bag on the
counter then took her hands."What are you telling me, Lin?"

Lindsey lifted the white box she'd obtained from the bakery, now filled with her own
cookies. She held the box out to him."Have one. Or as many as you like."

Juggling it in his hands, he opened the lid. Inside were sugar cookies in a variety of
colors, shapes and sizes, each with the word "Yes" scrolled across the front.

"Yes?" He cocked his head questioningly.

"Yes, I love you. Yes, I trust you. Yes, I know you're the one for me." She swallowed
hard, determined to get through this without crying. "You told me once that when I was
ready, when I was sure of you and what you feel for me, all I had to do was say the word.
Well, I'm saying the word now. Yes, I'm sure."

Zach closed his eyes for a moment and whispered some kind of supplication. Then he
drew her to him and held her for a long moment.

She thought he might kiss her but instead he stepped back and unzipped his coat.

"Why don't you start the coffee? We can have a cup with the cookies?"

Though she wasn't sure what she had expected, Lindsey felt strangely disappointed. She
forced her attention to the coffeemaker.

Once it was brewing, she turned back and found Zach staring, his eyes dark and
unreadable.

He motioned to her. "Come here."

Once her hand was in his, he dropped to one knee. When his palm opened she saw a
small velvet box. He flipped the lid up with his thumb to reveal a flawless round diamond
in a platinum setting.

"I've carried this around for months, dreaming of this moment."

She could only stare, unable to find her voice.

"I love you, Lindsey Duggan. I've been waiting my whole life for you. But the wait was
worth it. You're the half that makes me whole, the one who brings joy and happiness to
my life. I promise you, no one will work harder to make you happy or cherish you more
than me. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes, oh yes." Love swamped her as he slipped the ring on her finger."I believe we're
meant to be together. I can't imagine life without you by my side."

"I love you, Lin," he repeated, his eyes swarming with emotion. "That's something you'll
hear me say often. I don't want you ever to doubt that you're my dream girl, the one I love
with my whole heart, the one I know I was meant to be with forever."

"Forever?" she said, finally managing a teasing smile. "That's a long time."

"Not nearly long enough." He pulled her to him and his mouth closed over hers.

THE END