Stephen took Madeleine's shoulders in his hands and turned her to face him. He looked so serious, so intense, she wasn't sure she wanted to hear what he had to say.
"I'm sorry about Danielle. I truly thought I was doing what was best for the Community." It was easy to hear the regret in his voice. He couldn't hide it. Not from her.
Madeleine nodded. Somehow, through it all, she'd come to understand, at least a little. Stephen's sense of responsibility was strong, and he'd done what he thought was right. But there was one question she had to ask.
"Why didn't you tell me about Danielle at the beginning? I couldn't have done anything."
"Sheer, undiluted terror."
Madeleine's eyes widened. "You were afraid I'd attack you?"
"I was afraid you'd hate me."
"Never."
"I was afraid you'd leave me."
Her heart fell and all strength of resistance disappeared from her body. She shook her head. "Never," she repeated.
"Be careful." The caution and vulnerability that hummed through his body made her move closer, wanting to touch him, wanting to give him the comfort he needed. "Never is a very long time for you now."
"I know."
"Once I have you, I'm not letting you go."
"I love you." It was as simple as she could put it.
She waited, open before him, needing his response.
"I love you. Forever, Madeleine."
She nodded and returned his pledge.
"Forever."
About the Author
T. L. Sinclare began writing romances (during Trigonometry class) at the age of sixteen. During her senior year in high school, the class dressed up as what they would be in twenty years—she dressed as a romance writer. She began to write seriously in 1992 when she joined Romance Writer's of America (RWA). Her manuscript A Christmas Elf was a finalist in the national Romance Writer's of America Golden Heart™ Contest in 1998.
Ms. Sinclare is currently the Morning Weather Anchor at KTUU-Channel 2 in Anchorage, Alaska. She also works for the station as their remote productions coordinator. Prior to joining KTUU, she worked as Assistant Media Relations for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, where she was in charge of advertising coordination, local and state media interaction, and internal communications programs.
Ms. Sinclare has lived in Alaska for thirty years. Her family moved to Alaska in 1972 when her father was transferred to Elmendorf AFB with the U.S. Air Force. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Broadcasting from Gonzaga University in 1986.
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