Page 70 of Scent of Death

His heart filled with hope and longing. “Are you sure? I’m several years older than you. What if you meet someone?—”

“Don’t,” she interrupted. “Don’t belittle my feelings because I’m six years younger than you are. If you want to know the truth, I resisted falling for you. I’ve been burned by long-distance relationships in the past. I wasn’t interested in trying again. But you know what? Love doesn’t care if you live in Cheyenne and I don’t. Love is the most important gift of all. And I love you, Griff.”

He felt ashamed. “Alexis, I love you too. So much so that it scares me.”

She searched his gaze. “Really? Why does that scare you?”

“I lost my wife two years ago.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “It was difficult to go through that. I’d tried to close myself off from my feelings, then you arrived on the scene.” He couldn’t help but smile. “I knew the first time we met that you had the power to change my life.”

“Really?” Her blue eyes held doubt. “You’re not just saying that?”

“I love you. I was terrified Jenkins would hurt you before we could get there.” He reached up to cup her face in his hand. “I love you so much. And now that we’re sitting here, I realize my fears are groundless. You know why?”

She shook her head.

“Because I know now we’ll be together in this lifetime for as long as God grants us time on earth, and we’ll see each other again in the afterlife.”

A smile bloomed on her face. “I couldn’t agree more.” She leaned forward and kissed him. He gently pulled her close, taking care not to hurt her.

When their kiss ended, he cradled her close. His gaze landed on the cold pizza. “Are you hungry?”

“Starved,” she murmured.

“I’ll warm the pizza in the microwave.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Unless you want me to head out to buy a new one.”

“Warmed up pizza is fine.” She snuggled close. “But in a minute. Right now, I just want to sit here with you.”

“Always.” Denali shifted positions on the floor so that she was stretched out over his feet too. He smiled, thinking about the Sullivan K9 ranch and what Alexis had said about avoiding him because she hadn’t wanted a long-distance relationship.

He didn’t want that either.

“I’ll ask my boss if I can be stationed at the ranch,” he said.

Alexis tipped her head back to look up at him. “What if he refuses?”

“I’ll quit my job and look for something in law enforcement.” He reached up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I love you, Alexis. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

“Oh, Griff.” She smiled. “I love you too. And I’m willing to move to Cheyenne if necessary. Don’t quit your job because of me.”

“You’re more important than a job.” He kissed her again. “And I have a feeling my boss won’t mind. To be honest, living in a more central location would benefit the bureau. The cost of driving around the state is staggering. Besides, Doug Bridges makes it work.”

“Good leverage to use to your advantage,” Alexis said with a sly smile. “I like it.”

“Me too.” He drew her close. “Rest for a bit. Then I’ll heat up the pizza.”

She nodded and curled against him. As he held her, Griff lifted his gaze to the ceiling, and whispered, “Thank You, Lord Jesus.”

“Amen,” she echoed.

As peace washed over him, Griff realized God had never left him. His Lord and Savior had been there for him the entire time.

Best of all, he firmly believed Grace was smiling down at them from heaven.

Epilogue

Three weeks later...

Alexis chafed at being sidelined due to her cracked ribs. They were slowly healing. Walking was fine. Sneezing and coughing hurt like crazy. She leaned on the corral fence, smiling as Denali chased squirrels.

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