“I’m sitting over here because I can’t trust myself when I sit next to you. We need to talk.”
Cass’s heart jumped. “I know what you mean.”
That brought a smile to his lips before he said, “I know I wasn’t fair to you. I was so self-absorbed that I wasn’t thinking about what was best for you. You were here to recover from a horrible experience, and I should’ve given you more room, not asked you for more than you could give. Before you left you said some things I needed to hear. I have to admit it made me angry but that didn’t mean that I didn’t need to hear them. Or that I didn’t love you. I talked to my father. Told him in clear and concise language that I wouldn’t be returning to active duty.”
Cass hissed in a breath. “How did that go?”
“He didn’t like it, but he accepted it. Even told me that he’s proud of the work I’m doing at the clinic.”
That had to have been a tough conversation for both men. She had to admire Lyle for doing it.
Lyle continued, “At least it’s a positive start. I don’t think he’ll ever get over it but, then, I can’t live my life for him. I’ve got to live it for me.”
“You’re right. That’s a hard lesson I’ve had to learn over the last few days as well. I knew the moment I looked out the rear window of the car for you as I was going down the drive that I was leaving behind the best thing in my life. That you held the key to my happiness. I was afraid that if I took what you offered, somewhere down the road it might be taken from me. I couldn’t stand the thought of that happening. What I soon learned was that trying to live without you was far worse. I love you, Lyle.”
That was all it took for Lyle to come to her. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her the sweetest kiss that held a promise that he loved her too.
After they broke apart, Lyle said, “If you don’t want to live here, we can live in America, or anywhere else for that matter, as long as we are together. I can practice medicine anywhere.”
“Oh, no, I would never take you away from Heatherglen. Cluchlochry. You belong here. Are needed here. I’ve been thinking about something Flora said. She mentioned Esme could use me at the canine therapy center. I think I would like to train dogs.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Lyle hugged her.
“You think you could stand to have me around all the time?” She studied his face.
He chuckled. “I can’t think of anything better.”
“I love you, Lyle.”
“I love you, Cass.”
* * *
Sometime later they were lying in Lyle’s large bed in each other’s arms. Cass had found the place where she belonged, where she was completely happy. “You know, there’s something to the Christmas pudding thing.”
“How’s that?” Lyle’s hand caressed her bare back over her shoulders.
“I asked to be happy.” She cupped his cheek. “And I am. Blissfully so.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “And I wished for you to stay longer.”
“Why?”
“Because I need a date for the Christmas ball!”
* * *