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Ian sank down onto the sand and pulled his knees up to his chest. The orange glow from the sunset made for a beautiful backdrop and not for the first time was he elated to have all of this for his backyard.
But he’d give it up in a heartbeat for a chance at happiness with Cassie. Letting her go was hands down the hardest thing he’d ever done in his entire life.
He hadn’t been lying when he’d said this decision was better for Emily in the long run. When he’d been younger he would’ve given anything for his parents to have stayed together. Perhaps his father would’ve been a little more relaxed and his mother not so much of a free spirit always seeking attention from men.
Ian couldn’t alter Emily’s future by coming between her parents. His broken heart was minor in comparison to their safety. All that mattered was that sweet Emily wasn’t a pawn, that he gave her the best chance to know her father. A chance he’d never had.
Damn it, he loved that little girl. He missed those little fingers wrapped around his thumb as he gave her a nighttime bottle. He missed that little two-toothed grin she’d offer for no apparent reason.
He missed everything...even the diaper changes.
“Beautiful place you have here.”
Ian jerked his head over his shoulder, his heart nearly stopping at the sight of Cassie in a little green sundress, her hair whipping about her shoulders and Emily on her hip.
“I was just in the neighborhood and was curious if you had room for two more,” she went on, not coming any closer.
In an instant, Ian was on his feet. “Room for two? Were you wanting to stay here?”
Cassie shrugged, her face tipped up to hold his gaze as he moved in closer. “Your house, your heart. Wherever you have room.”
Ian’s knees weakened. She’d come for him. When he’d thought they were finished, when he’d thought he’d done the right thing by setting her free, she’d come to him.
“I’ll always have room in my heart for you and Emily.” Ian reached out, slid a crimson curl behind her ear. “But my house? That depends on what’s going on with you and Derek.”
Cassie grabbed his hand before he could pull away from her. “Derek is being taken care of by my team of attorneys. I hired three to make sure he didn’t blackmail me, you or use Emily as a bargaining chip. He’s agreed to supervised visitation because Emily is young and would view him as a stranger. He’s not allowed to take her from the state for any reason and I have approval over any and all visits.”
Shocked, Ian merely stared. When Emily reached for him, his heart tumbled. Pulling her into his arms, he held her tight, breathing in her sweet scent.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her ear. Her little arms came around his neck and Ian had to physically fight back tears.
“We’ve missed you,” Cassie told him. “But I had to make sure Derek was being handled before I could come to you.”
Ian lifted his head, slid his arm around Cassie’s waist and pulled her against his side. This right here was worth everything. The heartache he’d felt, the worry, the sleepless nights.
“If you ever try to be noble again, I’ll go to the press with horrid lies.” Cassie smiled up at him. “I know why you left—I even admire your decision on some level—but being without you for weeks was a nightmare. I never want to be without you again.”
Ian slid his lips over hers. “What about your family? What about the school?”
Reaching up to pat his cheek, Cassie smiled. “Emily and I are staying here for a while. As for the school, I’d really like to open it on the estate, but I’ll move it to California if you’re needed here.”
Ian couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She was willing to part with her life, live across the country from her family, her rock, all because of him.
“I’d never ask you to leave your family,” he told her. “I actually want to be near them. What do you say we keep this home for our getaways and vacations? We can live on the estate or build nearby. The choice is totally up to you, but I want you to have the school at Stony Ridge.”
Cassie’s smile widened, those sparkling blue eyes glistening. “Sounds like a plan. Of course, we’re missing something, you know.”
Curious, Ian drew back slightly. “What’s that?”
“Well, I’ve worn my ring since you left.” She held up her left ring finger and the sight had his heart jumping. “I assumed that this ring had a question that went along with it. I mean, I’m assuming the man I’ve fallen in love with plans on carrying out his intentions.”
