Part 55 (1/2)

Talia laughed, not minding that her head was spinning. Then his words sank in. ”What exactly do you mean?”

He let her feet slide to the ground and looked into her eyes. ”I mean what I

said. My family is complete.” His expression sobered. Except for the pa.s.sion in his dark eyes. She felt the thrill of it down to her toes. ”I know I took too long in coming back and I regret the worry I caused you. But I didn't want to come until I could-” He broke off, then blurted, ”I knew I'd botch this.”

She didn't know what to say, or even what he meant.

”You know, this isn't at all how I planned this.”

She was so touched by his obvious distress but she couldn't help the dry smile

that curved her lips. ”You? Planned?”

He pretended to look offended. ”I'll have you know I've spent long hours planning this very moment.”

Her mouth tilted up, but she knew she was going to cry.

”Oh, no, we'll have none of that. Wait, wait.”

She sniffed through her smile. ”What is it I'm waiting for?”

He scooped her up again, carried her outside, and almost tripped over

something. Swearing colorfully, he maintained his hold on her and barely got

his balance back.

She looked down. ”What is that?” Just outside the kennel door was her backpack, another larger one, three duffel bags, and several oddly shaped cases. ”I, um, packed. Just a few things.”

Talia did cry then, even as she laughed outright at the color that crept into his cheeks. ”Just some stuff, huh?”

”Yeah.” He dried her tears with his fingertip. ”Do you think you're feeling

well enough for a short walk?”

Right at that moment, Talia was fairly certain she could fly if she put her mind to it. She nodded.

Archer let her slide to her feet. ”Wait just one moment.” He turned and dug into her pack, then came back with Beatrice's hat in his hands. ”Here.” He plopped it on her head. ”I've actually dreamt of you wearing that horrible thing.” He hoisted another pack on his back, took her hand, then said, ”What the h.e.l.l,” and scooped her back into his arms.

”Devin-”

”Yeah, yeah, you can walk. I just want to hold you.” He looked down at her.

”Okay?”

”Okay.” She realized then they hadn't even kissed yet. And it was suddenly a

yawning, gaping need inside her. But he'd ”planned” and she was going to let him call the shots.

”Almost there.”

Talia had a pretty good idea where they were going, but she still found herself holding her breath until they got there. She let it out when Archer stopped by the flat rock. Their rock.

He let her slide to her feet once again. ”Okay, now turn around.””What?”He motioned with his hand. ”Turn around. Don't peek.”He was actually nervous. She smiled, touched. ”Really, you don't have to-””Tali, please.”She raised her hands, totally charmed. ”Okay, okay.” She turned around, but listened unashamedly. Zippers whizzed open, things rustled, something broke, Archer swore, another zipper whizzed, more rustling, more swearing. And she thought her heart might just burst with how much she loved him. ”I didn't know kangaroos could do that,” she said. ”Do all Aussies swear so creatively?”

”We're creative in all kinds of ways, sweetheart. I thought you knew that

about me by now.”

Talia felt the heat climb inside her. And then his hands were covering her eyes and the heat spiked clear through the top of her head.

”Okay,” he said next to her ear. ”You can turn around, but don't open your

eyes. Promise me.”

”I promise.” He turned her around, and into his arms. Then his lips were on hers and her eyes stayed shut anyway. It was better, so much better than all her fevered dreams and wistful remembrances. And once wasn't nearly enough.