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“She’s staying at Lucy and Noah’s tonight. I couldn’t get her away from the stables.”
“Maybe she needs a horse,” Sam supplied. “I could build her a barn.”
“You’d build anything for us, wouldn’t you?”
Sam nodded and propped his scuffed boot on the bottom step. “Did you mean this?” he asked, still holding the paper.
“Every bit of it, but there’s so much more and I don’t know...” She shook her head and sank onto the top step. “I never wanted to hurt you. I’m scared.”
Those last two words came out on a whisper and Sam started up the steps. Tara held out her hands.
“Wait,” she ordered. “If you’re not serious about us, if I’ve done too much damage, just don’t come closer. I’m on the edge of losing it and I’m not sure how long I can keep holding it together.”
Sam continued until he sank onto the step beside her. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his side.
“Stop holding it together,” he told her. “We’re supposed to be here for each other, right? We’re going to say things and do things that remind us of what happened. But we’re going to be stronger and I’m not letting you take the blame for this. Not when it’s all on me.”
Tara sniffed and rested her hand on his thigh. “You didn’t even make me beg for forgiveness or grovel.”
Sam tipped her chin up and kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, then her lips. “We’ve had a year of hell. I’m not wasting time doing anything other than loving you.”
Tara opened her mouth to his and he pulled her up and onto his lap. He cupped her chin and jaw with his hand, needing to feel the promise that only her kiss, her touch, could provide.
Tara’s fingertips slid over his shoulder and feathered against the side of his neck. Gently easing back, he nipped at her lips one last time.
“What made you think to write a note?” he asked. “You’ve never done that before.”
She smiled. “I want to be more like you. You’re so giving and selfless. You’re the man of my dreams and I want to do things that make you happy you’re here.”
Sam tightened his hold. “Being with you and Marley makes me happy. I don’t need anything else.”
“Should we go pick her up and let her know we’re all staying a family?”
“No.” Sam shifted her so she straddled his lap. “For tonight, it’s just us.”
Their next chapter began now and he was going to take full advantage of having his wife back for good.
Epilogue
“She is absolutely beautiful.”
Tara stared at the bundle of joy. Gray and Kate had gotten the all clear to bring their precious baby girl home after a two-week stay at the hospital. Now, Fallon was nearly two months old and surrounded by everyone who already loved her.
Emma and Marley were doting all over the pretty little clothes and had already made her a member of their “girls only” club.
“How are you feeling?” Tara asked.
“Doing really well.” Kate took a seat on the sofa next to Gray, who immediately wrapped his arm around her. “We’re ready to be a family.”
Tara understood that all too well. She and Sam were starting fresh and loving every single minute of it. There was something so special about getting a second chance and they’d both agreed they were going to make the most of each day, each moment.
Holding this sweet girl in her arms, Tara smiled and had a hopeful outlook for the future.
“I don’t want to overstay,” she stated as she carefully rose from her chair and crossed to Kate. “I wanted to bring some food by and let Marley see you guys.”
Noah, Lucy and Emma had just left. Sam had an important meeting he couldn’t get out of, but he’d texted her an address and told her to meet him there as soon as she was done.
“I hope you like chicken and dumplings,” Tara added. “Marley thought that was the best dish to bring.”
“That happens to be my favorite,” Gray stated as he shot Marley a wink.
“Can we bring Daisy next time we visit?” Marley asked, her tone full of hope—like that meeting would actually be a good idea.
