ow much I
love you？〃 he whispered； kissing her eyes； nose； and mouth in turn。
〃You'll have forever to tell me；〃 she whispered back。
〃Then you'll marry me？〃
〃Uh…huh。〃
〃Ahhhhh。〃 With the long sigh； he hugged her again。 His breath was warm
against her ear。
〃Tired？〃
His neck smelled of him。 She shook her head against it。 〃Nope。〃
〃You're sure？〃 He tightened an arm around her waist。 〃It was a long
flight。〃
〃I'm not tired。〃 She grinned。 〃I don't think I'll sleep for hours。〃
Ross rose from the sofa and held out a hand。 Chloe put hers in it and
let him draw her up and into his arms。
〃I love you； Ross。 You know that； don't you？〃
〃I have for a long time。 I'm only glad you can finally say it。 You're
free； aren't you； princess？〃 She sighed； then smiled and said with a
touch； just a touch of New Orleans； 〃I do believe I am。〃
He laughed out loud and rolled his eyes。 Keeping an arm around her to
hold her close； he walked her to the stairs and up。
Lilac Awakening
In memory of my father； who gave me an eye for detail。
Nightfall was nature's last resort in a bid to blot out her own
splendor。 For much of the afternoon across the upper Vermont
countryside； ominous dark clouds had hung over the forested peaks；
swarming； breaking； and regrouping in a macabre arabesque。 Rather than
stifling beauty； they enhanced it with