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“Well, it is good to see you too.”
Ass huffed.
“I don’t think he’s forgiven you for that broken leg.”
“He’s a bit stubborn, but he loves me,” I replied, using a bit of the hay to get his attention, and finally, he came to my hands.
“You’re bribing him.”
“I would never.”
“Yeah, sure.” She laughed as they brought both our horses for us.
“Yes, I am sure,” I said, taking the reins and stepping closer to her. “I also think this is a good time for a rematch.”
She stepped up to my face, staring me down. “Don’t cry when you lose.”
I grinned. “After you, bevilën.”
He let me win. I knew he did. But I was far too distracted by the scenery even to say anything about it. He had told me about the valley of rolling green hills and the wide-open, clear-blue sky, but it was even more beautiful here near the top of the hill, overlooking the small town in the far distance. It was like a painting, like art, right in front of my face. Hopping off Maple, I walked up the hill more, and as the breeze blew, I couldn’t help but lift my hands like I was Maria in the Sound of Music or Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“Extremely,” he whispered, coming up beside me. When I looked at him, he was looking back at me. But instead of saying anything, he lifted a picnic basket for me to see. “Hungry?”
“Famished.” And to prove my point, my stomach growled.
He took my hand to lead me to the tree, and I turned to remind him about the horses, but Thelma was already watching over them. Iskandar was standing at a slight distance from the tree where a picnic blanket and pillows were already waiting, looking over the hills as well. It was strange how I was starting never to notice them, either.
“What is wrong?” Gale asked when I didn’t sit down.
“Nothing.”
“No, don’t do that. Say what you are thinking,” he said, sitting down first and bringing me into his arms. “We’ve said nothing already. I want to know what is going through your mind.”
“Didn’t we do that too and end up fighting?”
“Yeah, but I think I prefer the fighting to us avoiding each other.”
“I wasn’t avoiding you,” I lied, and he made a face, obviously knowing I was too. “Okay, I was avoiding you. But you avoided me too.”
“I did. I’m sorry. And yes, I am apologizing.” He cupped my cheek. “I also wanted to say there is nothing between Sabina and me anymore. Ever since you entered my life, I haven’t even spoken to her or anyone else. I never loved her. I never truly loved anyone before you. And I never want to know a world after you, either. Everything is so unlike before. Even I miss Seattle, and it’s horrible weather.”
I wanted to laugh, but I just shifted, wrapped my arms around him, and hugged him tightly. I didn’t know what to say other than, “I love you, Gale.”
“And I, you, Odette,” he replied, hugging me tightly. “No matter what lies they write, no matter what anyone says or does, I will be here. Whenever you want to yell or scream or cry, I’ll still be here. We’ll keep taking this step by step and day by day.”
“The calm in the eye of the storm, right?” I shifted, looking up to him.
“That’s where we will be,” he said gently. “I know it’s crazy right now. I know there is so much being asked of you.”
“It’s okay. I know it’s crazy for you—”
“No, listen to me, Odette,” he said, putting his forehead on mine. “If you want to sing, you will sing. You don’t have to abandon everything for me. Just give me time, and I’ll figure out how to make your dreams work with this, I promise.”
Staring into his eyes, I held on to the side of his face before kissing him. And just like I knew I would, I melted in his arms as he kissed me back. All the fears I had this morning, all the pent-up anger, pain, and frustration I had before disappeared.
Part of me still wanted to go back to how we were in Seattle. But that wasn’t possible. And I couldn’t be in Seattle without him.
