He sat back down. His family was right. He’d done nothing to let Kennedy know a day hadn’t passed that he hadn’t thought about her. And given her stubborn, perceptive nature, he definitely needed a foolproof game plan if he wanted to win her heart. “Okay, I’m listening.”
“Uncle Mav.” Jenna came skipping back into the kitchen without Rumi. “There’s someone here to see you.”
“Where’s Rumi?” Cole asked.
“Kennedy’s playing with her.” Jenna slapped her hand over her mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to say her name.”
His heart practically rocketed out of his chest at the same time his family dispersed from the table faster than he’d ever seen them move.
“We’ll see you tomorrow!” Mom and Dad said.
“Don’t screw this up,” Hunter said.
“Good luck!” Bethany grabbed Jenna’s hand.
“You got this,” Cole said.
He blinked, and everyone but Nova had disappeared. “You still need a plan,” she said.
“She’s here,” he breathed, not making any sudden moves. His sister was right, of course. He needed at least a minute to figure out what to say. How to say it.
“Yes.” Nova stared at him. “And I’m pretty sure she’s as nervous as you are.”
“She doesn’t get nervous.”
“Not with her job, but you’re a different story.” Nova stood and pushed in her chair. “I’ll tell her you’ll be just a minute.”
“Tell her ten. I’m making a plan.”
He listened closely as the front door opened, his sister spoke, and finally he heard the voice he’d ached to hear again.
“Okay,” Kennedy said. “I’ll wait here on the porch.”
He got to his feet and looked around for a plan, like he could pick one up off the kitchen counter. How was he supposed to do something romantic in a matter of minutes when he was jet-lagged, in shock that she lived in Windsong, and pissed at Nash for coming anywhere near her?
Think, Maverick.
Candles. There were a few in the cupboard. Useful over decorative, but they’d do. He gathered them all, placed them around the living room, and lit them.
Fireplace. Whoever had left logs in the hearth, he owed big time. He stoked the wood until a great fire flamed.
Flowers. He remembered her saying how much she loved them. He snuck out the back door to the jasmine shrubs and vines behind his cabin and cut a bunch. He didn’t have any vases, so he filled a few Mason jars with water and arranged the jasmine inside. He put them around the living room, too, bringing in their floral scent.
The letters. Of course the letters. He rolled his suitcase into the kitchen, then opened it to retrieve the letters and postcards he’d written her. He found some string and tied it in a bow around the small stack. Placed them on the coffee table.
Lastly, he jotted down the two dozen or so words filling his head right now, tore the page from the notepad on the kitchen counter, and folded it in half to tuck inside his hand.
Time to seal the deal with his girl.
He stopped breathing when he saw her leaning against the porch railing. She had on light blue jeans and a soft pink sweater. Her hair, longer now, fell to the middle of her back. Sensing he stood in the doorway, she turned.
Their eyes didn’t just lock. They sparked.
Well, hers did, and he found himself hauled right back into their bottomless shimmer.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he said.
They stared at each other, silent, getting used to seeing each other again, he guessed. God, being this close to her was better than he’d imagined. If she held a stethoscope to his chest, she’d get an earful, his heart pounding out of control. And then, like no time had passed at all, they broke into the same enthusiastic smile and he knew.
Their connection hadn’t lessened in the slightest.
“Welcome home.”
“Thanks. I hear it’s your home now, too.” He stepped onto the porch. It took superhuman strength not to haul her against him. “You gave up your dream job?”
“No,” she said with a small shake of her head. “I found it here instead.” He stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue. “I realized my dream was to connect with people and build long-lasting relationships where I could help keep them healthy and guide them through good days and bad days. Being here, I still get to help people of all ages with lots of different ailments, but I’m part of a community that extends beyond my medical practice.” Her eyes softened. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the first person to tell you. I was going to call or text, but then I decided to just come over. I didn’t realize your family would still be here. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t.” He stepped closer. He’d imagined Kennedy in all sorts of places and positions, but none like this. None with her leaning back against his porch railing with permanence etched around her eyes. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and the cool evening air did nothing to diminish the heat flaming under his skin.
“I couldn’t wait to see you,” she said.
“Always needing a leg up on me,” he teased, falling back into the easy banter between them. Three months suddenly felt like three minutes. “I couldn’t wait to see you, either.”
Her smug expression made him smile. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” he asked, genuinely confused.
“Show me your dimples. I’m not ready for them yet.”
“What are you ready for?” He stood in front of her now, his fingers itching to reach out and touch her.
“To talk.”
“Okay, but first—” He handed her the note in his hand. “Read this.”
…
Kennedy didn’t want to look away from Maverick’s intense blue gaze. He was home! Standing a foot away from her! And seeing him in person rather than staring at the picture of him on her phone made this a million times better. She didn’t want to seem obsessed with him, though, so she accepted the piece of paper and read it.
Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.
Mother of pearl, he’d written down a Rumi poem. For her. She read the poem a second time, happy tears threatening to spill, before lifting her gaze back to his.
“Come inside?” He reached toward her cheek, then dropped his arm, as if thinking better of it.