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Spencer fires up the engine—as much as an old sedan fires up—and we head out into the night. Looking out the back window, I watch the outline of the ranch disappear behind us. So much happened there this summer. Two months feels like two years. That’s how long Spencer and I have been making our way to one another. Slowly at first, then lightning quick.

We pass Apple Valley Auto, then the car wash where I finally acknowledged Clark Kent was hot. “Did you talk to Frank today?” I ask.

Spencer nods but keeps his focus on the road. “His visit with Alice was good. She says if he’s willing to consider having a kid someday, she’ll wait. Not forever. But for a while. She’s staying in Flagstaff through Christmas, and he’ll keep visiting her. They’ll reevaluate next year.”

“Hmm.” For the millionth time, at least, I consider my own change of heart. Opening up to the idea of a family didn’t happen because everyone around me was doing it—although raising children near their cousins would be pretty great. It’s just that there’s so much love inside me now, I want it to multiply. Exponentially.

Not today. Not next week.

But sometime.

“Frank’s got to want a kid for himself, though,” I say. “Not just for Alice.”

“That’s what I told him.”

I smile at the side of his face. “That’s because you’re a smartypants. You’remysmartypants.”

“Thanks,” he says. “But I prefer Sexy Spencer Superman.”

I chuckle and nod, but he keeps his eyes on the road. Knowing he’s so careful, that he’ll always protect me, makes me feel safer than I ever have.

As we approach the turnoff to Nash and Emi’s, I turn in my seat and put a hand on his knee. “Do you think they’ll figure it out?” I ask. “Frank and Alice, I mean.”

“I hope so,” Spencer says. “He’s a happier man when he’s with her. I like seeing him happier.”

“Aww.” I reach out and tweak his ear. “You’re such a softie.”

“Don’t tell that to the rattlesnakes,” Spencer says, still staring straight ahead.

“Hey.” I crane my neck. “You missed the turn.”

“Did I?”

“Uh, yeah.” I snort. “Exactly how tired are you?”

“Tess McCoy.” He glances at me then back to the road. “I’ve never been more awake.”

“Umm …” I crinkle my forehead. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“Don’t worry.” A crooked smile slants across his face. “You’ll see.”

All the nerve endings in my body start to tingle on high alert. Spencer’s got something up his sexy superman sleeve, and I am SO here for it. I fidget in my seat, barely able to contain my giddiness. “Any hints?”

“Patience, T-Time. Good things come to those who wait.”