Page 67 of In this Moment

It had tobe.

Itwas.

He fixed his memory on that moment and made his decision. Even if it was the only thing he had to hold onto, it would be enough. Because there was no way he was going to get on a plane and fly away from Cedar Springs and the only woman he’d ever loved. Because no matter what Evie said, she loved him. He feltit.

It may have taken him a little while to get there, but he was there now and he wasn’t going to walk away from something that could be so perfect.

He pushed up from the picnic table to make his way back to the car and fight for the woman he loved. His cell phone rang as he opened the door. He almost didn’t answer it, thinking it would be Wes with his flight details. But a quick glance told him it wasn’t Wes atall.

“Jade,” he said as he picked up the call. “What’s goingon?”

“What’s goingon?”

He almost laughed, imagining the incredulous look that would be on his new sister-in-law’s face. He hadn’t known her that long, but he’d gotten to know her quickly and Declan loved her spirit. He also knew that whatever she was about to say would be no bullshit.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on, Declan McCormick. You’re making the worst decision of your entirelife.”

“No, I’m not.” He turned the key in the ignition. “Because I’m comingback.”

“Yes you are,” she continued as if she hadn’t heard him. “I don’t understand all of the details of what’s happened between you and Evie, but what I do understand is that you love her and she loves you. And if you—wait. Did you say that you’re comingback?”

He chuckled a little and put the call on speakerphone as he navigated the car out of the rest stop. “I did. Because I love that woman with all of my heart and I’m not ready to walk away fromher.”

“Good. Then you’re not making the worst decision of yourlife.”

“I hope not. Wait….” He almost slammed on the brakes. “Did you just say that she lovesme?”

“Why do you both sound so bloody surprised when I tell you that you love each other? You’re engaged, for God’s sake. It shouldn’t be a surprise that you love each other.”

“So she said it? That she loves me?” Declan’s heart lifted and for the first time since that morning, he could breathe. Like, properly take a breath and get oxygen into his lungs. Because if Evie had told Jade that she loved him, then….

What the hell was he doing driving on a highway miles away from the woman?

“Yes.” Jade laughed a little bit, but it was more of a sound of exasperation than anything else. “She loves you. And you love her and I don’t understand why instead of being together right now and celebrating that love, you’re driving away, brokenhearted. I really thought you were smarter than that, Declan.”

So didhe.

She lovedhim.

He lovedher.

God, did he ever loveher.

He pressed down on the gas pedal, more determined than ever to get back to her and change the way they’d left things. Because as far as he was concerned, there would be no leaving things between them. Because they were meant to be together. It may have taken him his entire adult life to realize that not only could love exist, but that it did, but now that he knew it, Declan had no plans of letting itgo.

“Jade, I need yourhelp.”

She laughed again. “I had a feeling you might say that. What’s theplan?”

Declan didn’t even know he had one, but as he drove his car as quickly as he could through the mountain roads, it came to him. He explained exactly what he needed from Jade and his brothers. And when he was finished, he said, “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Are yougood?”

“Absolutely.” He could almost hear Jade smiling across the line. “Drive safe, and I’ll take care of everything until you get here. Oh, and just to clarify,” she said before she hung up. “It’s the one on the bottom right of thecase?”

Declan smiled. “That’s the one. You’ll know it when you see it. It’s perfect, just likeEvie.”

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