Dark-haired.
Bearded.
Very much alive.
Ellie stopped breathing for a moment.
Jasper stared.
Neither spoke.
Then his gaze moved to her medical bag.
His expression fell slightly.
“You here as nurse?”
Ellie looked down.
She had brought the bag automatically.
She smiled.
“No.”
Jasper’s face changed.
Ellie tied Daisy to the rail.
“I brought it because I always bring it.”
He walked toward her.
Stopped several feet away.
“You came back.”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“I don’t know.”
His eyes searched hers.
Ellie stepped closer.
“You look healthy.”
“Disappointing?”
“Professionally, no.”
“And personally?”
She smiled.
“Still evaluating.”
Jasper laughed.
Ellie had missed the sound.
He reached for her.
Then stopped.
As always.
“May I?”
She smiled.
“Closer.”
He moved.
Ellie placed one hand against his chest.
His heart beat strongly beneath her palm.
Alive.
Because of her work.
Because Samuel rode through a storm.
Because Jasper fought.
Because chance connected them.
She looked up.
“Closer.”
Jasper’s hand settled at her waist.
Ellie rose slightly on her toes.
“Kiss me.”
He did.
This kiss carried four weeks of absence.
It remained controlled.
But barely.
Ellie felt his other hand at her back.
The warmth.
The strength.
The certainty.
She pulled him nearer.
Jasper stopped.
Ellie made an irritated sound.
“What?”
“You said you were still evaluating.”
“I have gathered new evidence.”
His mouth curved.
“And?”
She touched his beard.
“Promising.”
He kissed her again.
Longer.
When they finally separated, Ellie rested against him.
Jasper whispered, “Stay tonight.”
She looked at him.
He immediately added, “Only if you want.”
Ellie smiled.
“I know.”
She entered the cabin.
The widened doorway was still there.
Her old chair sat beside the stove.
On the table stood a vase.
Wildflowers.
Ellie looked back.
Jasper suddenly looked embarrassed.
“Samuel said women like flowers.”
“They do.”
“Good.”
“Some women.”
His face fell.
Ellie laughed.
“I am some women.”
He smiled.
They ate dinner.
Talked about the clinic.
Mercer.
Morrison.
Samuel.
The railroad.
Everything ordinary.
That was what Ellie loved most.
Desire was there.
Strong.
Constant.
But it did not swallow everything else.
After dinner Jasper washed dishes.
Ellie dried them.
Their shoulders bumped.
Neither apologized.
Later they sat beside the stove.
Jasper reached for her hand.
Ellie gave it.
“You staying in the loft?”
He asked the question quietly.
Ellie looked toward the stairs.
Then back at him.
“Do you want me to?”
“No.”
The honesty warmed her.