Page 79 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

One step at a time, Raffi.

I squeeze my eyes shut and...just go for it.

"I think I might want to settle down in Hartland eventually, but...not yet. I might want to travel first—-"

"Why do you think I quit my job?"

He what?

My eyes fly open, and I shoot up in my seat.

"Please tell me you're joking."

"Do you really want that to be a joke?"

A sob escapes me.No.I don't want it to be a joke, but there are just so many questions in my mind now, and I...I...

"I miss you," I choke out. "I wish I had never left. I wish you're here with me. I want to see you so bad, and—-"

"Ask me to come to you then."

My heart nearly stops.

"I told you before, remember? I'm all yours, baby..." Aidan's voice becomes hoarse all of a sudden, and oh God, the sound of it...

"Raffi?"

It's been minutes since Aidan and I had hung up, and it's only when I hear Mairi's worried voice that I belatedly realize I'm still at the cafe, and oh my God, doesn't that also mean I've been sobbing my heart out in public?

"I'm sorry," Mairi says awkwardly when my stunned gaze flies up to her. "You were crying so hard while you were on the phone, but you were also smiling at the same time so..."

"You were wondering if I've lost my mind?"

"It did seem that way, but no. I was just wondering what the, er, other guy said."

Oh.

"Did you decide to give him a chance then?"

"I did."

Mairi looks at me expectantly. "And?"

"And he says..."

My heart starts going crazy as I remember Aidan's last words.

"He, um..."

I draw a shaky uneven breath.

"He says he's coming here to be with me."

A KNOCK ON HIS DOORhad the Mayor of Hartland, Wyoming glancing up from his laptop. "Come in, Frankie."

His secretary entered his office and placed a white envelope on his desk. "This just came in today." She paused rather meaningfully before adding, "It's from Chief Blackwood."

Ah.He leaned back against his seat. "So the day has come then."

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