Page 158 of This Heart Of Mine (Chicago Stars 5)

“You were being neurotic.” He untied the line and picked up the oars.

“That, too. So do we really need to take to the high seas?”

“Oh, yeah.” He began to row.

“I didn’t mean it. When I said I didn’t love you.”

“You think I don’t know that? And you can tell me how romantic I am when we get to the middle of the lake.”

“I’m not being critical, but I don’t imagine you’ll be able to do anything too romantic out there.”

“That’s what you think.”

She loved him so much that it wasn’t hard to humor him. “You’re right. Rowing us to the middle of the lake is a very romantic gesture.”

“I do know my romance.”

He didn’t have a clue about romance, but this sweet-talking son of a preacher man knew everything there was about love. Daphne rippled on his chest with the movement of his muscles as he rowed. “I like your T-shirt.”

“If you’re right about your sister—which I hope you are, even though I swear I’m going to report her to the commissioner—I’ll have them made up for all the guys on the team.”

“Maybe not your best idea.”

“They’ll wear ‘em.” He smiled. “I’ll make a concession to the defense, though, and put Benny on theirs. And congratulations on saving your books. Lilly told me all about it over the phone. I’m sorry you had to sell your place, but it would have been too small for both of us anyway.”

Molly thought of the big old Victorian farmhouse on the outskirts of Du Page County she’d heard Phoebe mention was up for sale. It would be plenty big enough.

“I think we’re about in the middle,” she said.

He looked behind him. “Just a little farther. Did I tell you how deep it was out here?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Really deep.”

She could feel her smile spreading all over her face. “I’m hopelessly in love with you.”

“I know that. It’s my own hopelessly-in-love feelings that are in question.”

“I promise I won’t ever question them again.”

“Let’s make sure of that.” He shipped the oars, and they drifted for a while. He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back.

Her heart felt as if it had somehow gotten lodged in her throat. “You’re the most steadfast man I’ve ever known, Kevin Tucker. I can’t imagine why I thought, even for a moment, that I needed to test you.”

“Every once in a while you go crazy.”

“Phoebe calls them ‘incidents.’ And today was the last one. I risked throwing away the most important thing in my life, but I won’t make that mistake again.” Her eyes filled with tears. “You gave up the Stars for me.”

“I’d do it again. Although I sincerely hope I don’t have to.”

She laughed. He smiled, then looked serious. “I know you don’t love football the same way I do, but, driving up here, I kept thinking about coming out of the huddle and looking over toward the fifty-yard line.” He touched her cheek. “I saw you sitting there just for me.”

Molly could see it, too.

“The wind’s picked up,” he said. “It’s getting colder.”

The sun shone in the sky as well as in her heart, and she knew she’d never be cold for the rest of her life. “I’m fine. Perfect.”

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