Page 25 of Gone Away Home

“Love you so much, sweetheart,” he mumbles against my skin.

I’m barely coherent, my mind swimming in a sea of light and rightness. “I love you without fear, Dustin.”

The sound of contentment he lets out makes me fall in love with him all over again. I did that. I made him feel that way.

It’s heady.

It’s perfect.

Dustin keeps me in his arms as he manages to wash us. His strength never ceases to amaze me and there isn’t a single second when I’m concerned that he’s going to drop me.

When we step out of the shower, he puts me back down, but he continues to hold me close. It’s probably for the best because my legs are still a little wobbly.

“So perfect for me.” He kisses my forehead, my eyelids, and my cheeks. Finally, when I don’t think I can wait a moment longer, his lips brush against mine.

While we lost time together and he had to go away to find his home was always right here, we’re stronger for it. I know the same will be true when we look back at this time, a time when some people aren’t willing to accept us.

I don’t need acceptance from them. I just need this.

“I’m yours,” I whisper, needing him to know, needing him to hear it.

His mossy green eyes darken, his soul hungry to soak up my words. “And I’m yours, Zayla.”

EPILOGUE

SIX AND A HALF MONTHS LATER

DUSTIN

The ring I’m carrying is burning a hole in my pocket. I’ve wanted to ask Zayla to marry me for a long time and today, finally, is the day. There were so many times when I wanted to ask her, but I want it to be perfect and mean something.

That’s why today is the day.

I know she’s going to say yes, and I can’t wait to slide my ring on her finger. Seeing my claim on her, a physical reminder that she’s mine, is going to make keeping my hands off her nearly impossible. It’s already difficult enough.

We’re out for dinner in Jasper Ridge at the fanciest restaurant we have, but Zayla never cares where we go or how much money I spend on her. No, she’s all about spending time together. As long as we’re together, she doesn’t care as much about what we’re doing or where we are.

It’s an exceptional quality of hers, one I love and cherish.

There are far too many people out there who only care aboutwhat can be bought for them or want to be able to flash cash around because it makes them feel better about all the areas of their life which are lacking. Zayla has never been that way.

She’s pure and a bright light. I saw it the first day of her freshman year all those years ago, but I swear her light shines even brighter now.

I’m so proud of her.

Not only is her business thriving, which is no surprise to me, but she’s finished writing her second book. Whenever I find her typing away, the clicking of the keys filling her office like the most beautiful music, I take a moment and appreciate it.

She told me not long after that horrible Thanksgiving about how she had tried to write her own book. We were laying in the dark in our bed and the confession slipped from her lips. Her words were hushed, like speaking about the dream she kept hidden could tarnish it in some sort of way.

“I’ve been writing it for so long and I’m not sure if I’ll ever finish it. It’s there, a file on my computer that taunts me every time I go and edit someone else’s book. I want to bring this romance to light, I want to finish it, but I just haven’t have the inspiration.”

I kissed her forehead and pulled her even tighter against my chest, hoping the strength of my hold could help infuse her with the confidence she needed. My gut was screaming at me that she just needed someone in her corner, someone rooting for her and making sure she didn’t stumble.

“I believe you have this story inside of you, sweetheart, and probably so many more. I’m not going to pretend like I know a damn thing about writing a book, but you do and you’re so damn smart. You have a voice which I have no doubt people will wantto hear.” I paused, letting her absorb my words. “And, you know what?”

I barely heard her tentative, “What?”

“Even if you don’t finish the book and it’s only ever a file on your computer, I’m proud of you and I will never love you less because of the things you don’t accomplish. Just like I’ll never love you more because of what youdoaccomplish. I love you for you; there is no way I’m capable of not loving you.”

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