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Tobias immediately regretted bringing up the subject of the puppies. He had no idea she’d been fretting about it. “Bringing two dogs into a home is a lot of work, two puppies even more. With your long hours, it would have been hard for them. You’d have to leave them home alone for long hours.”

“It wouldn’t have been fair to them, right?” There was hope in her voice and Tobias wanted to hug and reassure her.

“No, it wouldn’t have been fair. I was just picking on you. So see, I’m bad at being mean.”

Tori gave him a playful punch in the shoulder. “So where exactly are you taking me?” She peered out the window. “Please tell me we’re not going to the Lookout.”

That was exactly where he’d been headed. They’d gotten engaged there, it was at the Lookout that they’d shared their first kiss and where they’d made love for the first time. He couldn’t help but smile at the memory of the clumsy, awkward moment. It had been Tori’s first time and she’d cried when he’d taken her virginity. He’d held her for a long time, anxious for her to calm down so he could show her how pleasant it could be.

“I haven’t been up here in years, thought it would be cool to walk around up there.” He lied. Just the week before, he’d brought the dogs for a walk there. But it was better than telling her he’d brought her there so it wouldn’t be easy for her to run away when he spilled his guts.

The truck rocked side-to-side over the uneven terrain up the side of the mountain. Tori lowered the window and leaned back allowing the breeze to blow on her face. It was hard to tell if she was angry or pleased. Tobias leaned more toward annoyed by the slight crease between her brows.

“Want to listen to some music?”

“This is not a date,” Tori said in a flat tone.

“Like I would date you.”

“You would if I let you. But I wouldn’t date you.”

“You can barely resist me. My charms are like candy.”

Tori opened her eyes so she could roll then. “Sour candy maybe.”

Tobias chuckled and maneuvered the truck so that when he parked, they’d be facing the overlook.

When he cut off the engine, Tori climbed out and rounded the truck to where she could see the scenery below. From where she stood, the hill rolled softly down and onto another landing where one could picnic.

“This place is my life,” she said in a soft voice. “Laurel Creek calls to me. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been up here.”

Tobias came to stand next to her. “Hey, I can see the guys herding cattle at my place.” He pointed in the direction of Hamilton lands. “Pretty cool.”

“If you bring binoculars, you can spy on people from here. We used to do that when I was in middle school.”

He chuckled. “You’ve always been a peeper.”

Tori didn’t deny it. “Why are we here?” She looked up at him, her dark gaze taking him in. “The truth, please.”

This was it, do or die. He took a breath. “I brought you here because I want to tell you the truth. It’s time to man up and be honest.”

Her eyes widened. “I know you hate me for keeping the secret about Thomas. I know it will take time to forgive me.”

Tobias wasn’t about to be deterred. “I love you.”

“You what?” Her eyes were as wide as saucers.

“It’s always been you. You ruined me for other women. I have tried over these last twenty years to fall in love, but can’t. That’s why my marriage ended, I could not love her enough and she hated me for it.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Shit, Tori, my heart is and will always be yours.”

The wind blew her short hair back and forth as she stood as still as a statue and he itched to reach for her. Her eyes became shiny and he wondered if she were about to lose it.

She probably wouldn’t cry, but she would scream at him and say she felt the opposite. Would never love him, and that there was no chance in hell they would ever be together.

Instead, she reached out with one hand and cupped his jaw. “Oh, Tobias.” Blinking away tears, she swallowed visibly. “I don’t know what to think right now.”

“I’m not expecting a reply from you. Not right now anyway. I know this is coming out of left field. But I want to be honest with myself and with you. I’m tired of denying it, not just from you, but from myself.” He placed his hand over the one at his jaw. “If there is any chance of us trying to work it out again, I want to take it. Think it over, okay?”

She let out a shaky breath. “Oh my God. You’re serious.”

“I am very serious. If it’s possible, I love you more now than when I left for Afghanistan.”

At the mention of the past, she looked away. “This is crazy. I really thought you wanted to talk about our son. I figured we’d end up arguing. You know, familiar territory.”

She collapsed against him and he wrapped his arms around her.

It felt like he was home.