The Promise (Thunder Point #5)(57)

He couldn’t remember ever loving anyone as much as he loved her. It felt brand-new.

He quietly changed into his pajama bottoms and slid into bed with them.

“Um...oh,” she said, stirring. “You’re here. I should go—”

“Shh,” he said. “Go back to sleep.” He raised up on an elbow, leaned toward her and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Wouldn’t they go to bed?”

“They were fine. We found a bed big enough for all of us.”

He smiled. “Happens that way a lot around here.”

“I figured.” Then, in what almost seemed a choreographed movement, she rolled over, spooning Jenny while Will turned into Scott’s arm, resting his little head on his father’s shoulder.

She took my children under her wing and rocked them safely to sleep.

For him, there was no turning back.

* * *

Peyton was not surprised by the way the town responded to Gabriella’s departure. Even though, as a college student, her closest friendships were among the coeds and young couples she and her boyfriend socialized with, she was also well acquainted with many in town. The Saturday Scott was helping her load the small trailer to take her and all her belongings back to Vancouver turned into a party. Peyton went over to Scott’s house with a big plate of cookies and found a number of her friends already there with food, music, drinks and good wishes. Someone made a big sign that was hung on the trailer that said, Happy Trails, Gabriella. Devon, Spencer and the kids were there; Cooper, Sarah, the baby—and Ham—came. Al and Ray Anne were there with two of the three boys, Eric Gentry was working at his gas station, but his significant other, Laine, arrived with a platter of submarine sandwiches. Mac and Gina stopped by; Ashley and Eve, the new part-time babysitters, came by to give hugs and wish her well. Even though some of her young friends from the community college she had attended threw her a farewell party the night before, some of them dropped by for a final goodbye. There was a constant flow of people throughout the afternoon.

This was the kind of place that honored good people, even if they were just passing through. Gabriella had been Scott’s nanny for the past year, and her reputation was solid—she would be missed. This filled Peyton with nostalgia. Even though she’d not been able to wait to take her job abroad after college, couldn’t get on the plane fast enough, her entire huge extended family had shown up at the farm for a spectacular send-off. They’d been armed with messages to Basque family members they’d barely heard about in forty years...and they’d been so proud of her.

Scott and the kids and Gabriella and Charles left for Vancouver on Sunday in two cars. Peyton and Dr. Stewart would cover Scott’s duties until Wednesday.

But early Monday evening there was a knock at her door, and Peyton opened it to find Scott standing there holding a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine. He was smiling, and his eyes had grown dark and smoky. She had talked to him by cell phone several times Sunday and Monday and had had no idea he was coming home so quickly. There were grandmothers to visit in Vancouver!

“Scott?”

“I left the kids with their grandmothers,” he said, smiling. “Got a corkscrew?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming right home? I would’ve showered and changed! Planned dinner or something.”

“First, a glass of wine,” he said, coming inside and closing the door. “Then a shower for both of us. Then maybe we’ll take our time getting dressed. And if you show the proper amount of gratitude, I’ll take you to Cliff’s for crab cakes and fries.”

“Gratitude? Shouldn’t you be the one to show gratitude?”

“That’s right, that’s my job. I’ll get it right. Then we’ll come back here, and if you want me to, I can spend the night. And show even more gratitude. Up against the wall and sweaty!”

He always made her laugh. She slid up against him, holding him close. “I want that,” she said. “All of that.”

“Good. All I could think about all day was a long, hot intense night with you. I don’t like being away from you.”

She didn’t like being away from him, either. And he had rushed back to her. The thought made her smile down to her toes. Nothing, she thought, could possibly go wrong.

* * *

Deep in the night, Scott reached for her and pulled her close against him. “Are you awake?” he whispered.

“Hmm-mmm,” she answered sleepily, snuggling closer.

“I want to tell you something.” He stroked her cheek. “I didn’t think it would feel like this. I thought I would have a woman in my life again someday. I was open to the idea. Hoping. I didn’t want to stay alone. I wanted what everyone wants—someone they just can’t live without. And I thought when I finally found it—her—it would feel nice. I didn’t think it would feel like this—overwhelming. I wake up thinking about you. I fall asleep wanting you. I’m in love with you, Peyton. Not in an ordinary, comfortable, easy, compatible way, but in a desperate, passionate, powerful way. Completely gone. I want to be with you forever.”

“Forever is a lot longer than three months,” she said, her voice sleepy.

“Lots longer. I understand you’re at a crossroads. I know you aren’t sure where you should be next. Maybe you’re not completely sure who you should be with. But, Peyton, I want you to know how I feel, while you’re figuring things out. I love you. I love you completely. I want to be with you. I want us to be together if we can. I think I can make you happy, I really do. I promise you I’ll do everything in my power, and when I give everything I’ve got, it doesn’t fall short—it’s really everything. I want you, you make me feel like there’s nothing else in the universe I need. It’s just you. I want you to know that.”