Chapter Fifty-Two

One question. One answer. One rebuttal…that meant everything. She had told him how he felt mattered to her. What followed was a restrained moment amid the stares of the town, two slight smiles, and a silent trip home…hand in hand.

Ben drove them to the Ponderosa, stopped the buggy in front of the house and quickly exited to the peace of his study, leaving the two alone sitting in the back seat.

Adam lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the tender skin between her knuckles as she continued to look forward, thinking about what she had done…what it meant. He turned slightly in the seat to watch her. "Are you sure?" he asked quietly. "Because you don't look like you're sure."

She looked down and smiled. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

"Shiloh…this is Europe. Do you realize this may be the only chance you have?"

Turning to him, she looked into his eyes, searching. "I thought you'd be happy about this."

"I'm not unhappy. I just don't want to be the reason you walked away from what could be a remarkable career."

"Who said I'm walking away? Didn't she tell you that I didn't need to go to Europe…that I could be successful here?"

"Yes, she did. But…."

"No buts. I don't want to go to Europe to sing opera. And if I go to see Europe one day, it will be with someone…." She lowered her eyes.

"So you're going to pursue a singing career?"

"I don't know. I just know that Europe doesn't have to be part of that decision." She laced the fingers of the hand he was still holding with his, glancing into his eyes. "I also know…I'd like you to be part of that decision…I mean…if you want to."

She had told him his feelings matter to her. She was telling him again. He raised his chin, inhaling, and then slowly exhaled into a deeply satisfied gaze. "I want to."

Part 1…The End