Bold and Brave-Hearted Page 19
“Love. You really do love me, don’t you?”
“It’s not something a man lies about, particularly when the news is being broadcast all over central California.”
Her heart jump-started. “We don’t have much in common,” she pointed out.
“I’m taking an art-appreciation class at the junior college. I can even tell the difference between French impressionists and modernists now. And I got that book from the library on Hussein that you mentioned. He’s quite a character.”
“Oh, Jay.” She pressed her palm to his chest, cherishing the rapid beat of his heart, the warmth of his flesh beneath his T-shirt. He’d been trying so hard to please her and she hadn’t even known. She’d been too afraid to give him a chance—give them a chance. “I asked that marine geologist I had on the show to take me snorkeling. Once I got over my initial fear, I loved it.”
“I’ll teach you to scuba dive. We could go to the Caribbean for our honeymoon.”
“I’ll never be able to rock climb, though. I don’t have enough arm strength.”
“It doesn’t matter. There’s only room for one tough guy in a family anyway. I love you, Kim. Just as you are, beautiful and sexy in every way.” He ran his fingertips lightly over her scars, letting her know he still found her beautiful.
Happiness nearly overwhelmed her as she stepped into his embrace.
“If you want that network job, we can move to New York or wherever you need to be,” he said. “I don’t want you to lose your dream because of me.”
“You are my dream, Jay Tolliver. You have been for a very long time. I love you and I’ll be happy to go on loving you right here in Paseo.”
Dipping his head, he caught her mouth in a fierce kiss that told her all she needed to know. He loved her and would until there wasn’t a breath left in him. As she would love him in return with her very last ounce of strength. Forever.
Special thanks to the men of C-shift, Station 1, Torrance, California. I owe you gallons of ice cream, gentlemen.
Added thanks go to Carolyn Greene and Linda Prine, proud wives of men who wear a firefighter’s uniform.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-6800-8
BOLD AND BRAVE-HEARTED
Copyright © 2001 by Charlotte Lobb.
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