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“And you said, ‘Not in my heart.’”
“That’s right.”
He dropped his gaze to their joined hands. “So…”
“Are you trying to ask if I’m going back to Chicago?”
“Yes.”
“You know, we don’t have to talk about this right now.”
Shit. Had she already made her decision?
“Look at me,” she said.
He did.
“I’m not going back to Chicago, Joel. My heart’s with you. Always. Wherever your job may go.”
“You said you wouldn’t want to travel that much.”
A shrug lifted her shoulders. “I’ll deal with it.”
“I’ll deal with the city if that’s what you really want.”
She shook her head. “Even if I hadn’t met you, I think I’d stay here.”
Relief lifted weight off his shoulders. “Good. Because I’m quitting the park system.”
She drew back in surprise. “But I thought you loved your job.”
“I love you more.”
“Oh, no. Don’t be doing that for me.”
He took a deep breath, then wished he hadn’t because it hurt too bad. Concern clouded her eyes, but once the pain subsided, he offered a reassuring smile. “I love parts of my job, but honestly, I’ve been thinking about this for a couple weeks now and I’ve been restless for months before that. I’d like to put down roots and want to know what you think about the idea of buying a ranch.”
“A ranch?” she echoed.
He nodded. “I thought we could breed and train horses here in Colorado. Or anywhere, really, so long as you’re at my side so you can tell me every day how much you love me.”
As she stared at him, the initial shock in her expression morphed into hope. “What are you saying?”
What was he saying? The answer took only a second to come out of his mouth.
“Marry me. Be my wife and it won’t matter where we live. Colorado, Chicago, wherever makes you happy. All I know is, I don’t want to risk losing you ever again.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes again as she leaned in to rest her forehead against his. “Right here makes me happy.”
“We can’t live in a hospital,” he whispered.
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I do,” he confirmed. “So, that’s a yes?”
“On one condition.”
“Seriously? I’m lying in a hospital bed and you’re going to put a condition on my marriage proposal?”
