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Before I know what’s happening, she’s launching herself into my arms. She’s crying, or I’m crying. I no longer know where she ends, and I begin. After the initial shock, my arms are around her, squeezing her into me.

“I’m so sorry. I thought I wouldn’t make it in time,” she mumbles against my ear. “I was afraid you might have given up on me and left.”

I snuggle her closer, afraid to believe she’s really here. “It wouldn’t have been remotely possible for me to walk away. I’d have waited here forever,” I tell her solemnly.

Her husky, soft laugh warms my neck. “I’m happy to hear that since I broke every speed limit to get to you.”

I lean back, and she looks up to meet my gaze. “Does this mean you forgive me?” I ask.

I don’t realize I’m holding my breath as I wait for her response. I’m afraid to hope, but that’s all I can do.

“Of course I forgive you. You bought an ice skating rink for me. What kind of person does that?” Her warm eyes are overflowing with moisture, and her tremulous smile warms me to my toes.

I look lovingly into her eyes. “The kind of person who is crazy about you. Winny Cramer, you are the love of my life. When I think of all the years we’ve wasted being apart, it fills me with so much regret. I was an idiot back then. I walked away from you, knowing I’d never love anyone again as much as I loved you. And I was right.”

As the tears streamed down her cheeks, I handed her the white rose I’d been holding onto as I waited for her to arrive.

She smiles through her tears. “What happened to it?”

Confused, I look down at the rose. The stem of the poor thing is completely mangled and is no longer holding up the bud. I smile sheepishly. “I must’ve crushed it when you jumped into my arms.”

“Hopefully, this poor rose isn’t a sign of things to come. We have an ice skating rink to revamp,” she jokes.

“We?” I ask.

Her quick indrawn breath and the way her face changes into one of utter sadness and despair has me in immediate panic mode. Before I can say anything, she’s shaking her head and looking away.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “I forgot. You have a job to go back to, a life in Boston. Of course, you won’t be here to help with the renovations. It was silly of me to think you’d be staying to help.”

“I want to stay and work on the rink with you. I just wasn’t sure that’s what you wanted. Working on this project would bring me nothing but happiness,” I tell her fervently.

She’s still not convinced. “What about your job? Your promotion? Your apartment in Boston?”

I grimace. “How do you feel about dating an unemployed, homeless, no prospects, ex-boyfriend?”

She places her palms on either side of my face and reaches up on her tip-toes. Her lips brush mine in a sweet, lingering kiss. When she looks at me again, I see the love shining from her eyes, and my heart does a flip-flop. “It sounds like the most wonderful thing I can imagine. We have a lot of work to do, and I plan on monopolizing all of your time.”

“Sweetheart, I’m not leaving your side. We’re in this together,” I promise.

She gets a pensive look. “What was that you said about a training facility? Does Gerald really have plans drawn up for that?”

I nod. “Yep, he sure does. He had it done several years ago but never saw it through. He showed me the drawings, and it looks amazing. Think about it. Athletes from all over the United States coming to Winter Ridge to train with you.”

Winny’s beautiful smile lights up her face. “I want to get started right away!” she says excitedly.

I laugh out loud at her exuberance. “First thing I need to do is find a place to live. Then, I need to find something to do for income while we figure all this out.”

Winny shrugs. “You’ll move in with me, of course.”

“Move in? Don’t you want to take some time to think about that? I’m sure my mom will let me take over her place for a while after she moves, so don’t worry about me.”

“We’ll see. I bet I can convince you,” she boasts.

“I bet you can, too,” I agree. “You can start trying anytime you want.”

“Brad, are we crazy for doing this?”

“Absolutely. If I’m going to be crazy, it might as well be with you.”