Page 69 of Allie's Shelter

Her breath shuddered in and out. As she stared at him, an adorable furrow of consternation appeared between her pale brows. He laid the stack of letters marked “Return to Sender” on her knee. They were wrapped with a black ribbon and the gold bands he’d bought at the PX, hoping to exchange them with her at their wedding, were looped through the knot.

“I want you to be part of my life, for the rest of my life. Being part of the team is optional.” He winked, hoping to provoke any reaction. She was unnaturally still. “Will you have me?”

“Ross.”

“Read these if you’re not sure. Turns out, all mail from me to you was to be returned. Your dad’s orders.”

She gasped. “That’s horrible. He knew how I felt about you!” She frowned again. “Isn’t that a felony? Messing with the mail?”

“It’s a little late to charge anyone. We’ve talked. He thought we were too involved, too dependent on each other.”

She stroked the tails of the ribbon and the worn edges of the envelopes. “But you saved them.”

He nodded, wishing she’d give him some sign. “They are full of what you should already know. You’ve had my heart forever. We’ve lost so much time.” He was babbling to fill the silence. “Would you say something?”

“Yes!” She was suddenly in his arms, her kisses sweeter than any memory. She pulled back and her smile was full of happiness as she said, “Today matters more than yesterday.”

His heart gave a happy kick in his chest and he felt stronger than ever knowing that whatever happened, wherever his team had to go, he’d have Allie waiting for his safe return.

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