Page 97 of Blindly Yours

She’s so beautiful I wonder how I can possibly call her mine. I love those long lashes laying gently on her cheeks, and the way her full lips are parted as she breathes evenly. She’s revealed her heart so genuinely over the last few weeks, and I can’t wait to learn more.

Last night was…perfect.

I’ve been ready to take this step for a while now, but I wanted this to be her decision. I needed to see in her eyes that she was ready too. And last night, those eyes didn’t lie. Deep and blue, they looked like they might combust if I didn’t make a move, and that’s all the reason I needed.

As Rose’s chest rises and falls slowly under my arm, I wonder how this is the girl who’s stealing my heart. This girl who crossed her arms and pouted when it took me three days to fix her ceiling. This girl who I doubt ever touched a chicken until the blizzard drove her to my home. She’s the one I’m falling for. She’s the last person I ever expected, yet, it feels so right, I’m starting to believe maybe this was all meant to be.

I can still remember the feel of Amber’s frail hand holding mine near the end. It was early dawn, like it is now. Just the faint glow of morning sun shone through the window when she looked up at me with those fading brown eyes.

“I love you, so much, Nate. And I know…I know you will always love me. But you need to move on and love someone else too. I need you to keep an open mind, and I need you to be happy, more than anything. So, please find someone who will make your life complete again. Find someone who will love you, and love Kara too.”

She lifted her shaking hand to my heart in that moment and closed her eyes with a smile.

“Don’t be afraid I’ll resent you for moving on. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. Go, and love with this beautiful heart.”

I close my eyes here in my bed and lift my own hand to my heart, right where Amber touched it. Rose held her hand there too last night when I paused above her. The fact that Rose touched me in the same place at such a vulnerable moment solidified my decision to finally move forward. Coincidence or not, it was the sign I needed.

And with that touch, my heart is breaking open again.

Rose stirs next to me, peeking up from beneath her lashes, and when she sees that I’m awake, she curls into me and buries her face in my chest.

I pull her into me and kiss the top of her head. “How did you sleep?”

“Really good,” she murmurs against my skin. “You?”

“Best I’ve slept in a long time.” I slide my fingers through her hair and watch the light from behind the curtains grow brighter with the rising sun.

She snuggles in closer. “You’re so warm. I don’t think I’m going to want to sleep by myself anymore.”

“It’s a curse.”

Adorable, sleepy eyes peer up at me. “What? Being warm?”

“Yeah, I’m hot like…all the time.” It’s true. In the winter, it’s great, but during the summer, I’m miserable.

“My own personal furnace.” She grins and kisses my neck.

“So, what do you want to do today?” I let my fingers untangle from her hair and trail them down the smooth skin of her arm.

“I thought we were going on a hike?” she asks.

I lean back and study her carefully. “You sure you want to?”

Her expression says she’s hesitant, but she nods. “Yep, I want the full experience.”

“It’s an easy hike,” I assure her. “Want some coffee first?”

“Yes, please.” She nods as I slide my arm out from under her and make my way to the kitchen.

In the living room, Duke sits up immediately when he sees me, and I give him a quick scratch behind the ears before I brew two cups. I peer out the large window at the back of the cabin. There’s a gentle fog lying on the surface of the lake, and a blue heron flies close to the water, sending the fog swirling. I close my eyes and take a slow breath. I love it here. I’ll never grow tired of peace, and quiet, andspace.

When I return to the bedroom, Rose is sitting up and facing me squarely with crossed legs. “So, um, I’ve wanted to ask you…”

I hand her a mug and sit on the edge of the bed, waiting.

“My family is getting together for dinner on Tuesday.” She peers cautiously at me. “Would you like to come?”

Her offer catches me off guard and I blink at her for a moment. “Really? Are you sure?”

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