Everyone got to their feet and crowded around the print. Teeny took it from Genevieve's hands and held it in the middle of the huddling group. Unbelievable, he breathed. Wow! Gingeryou're amazing!

Josie looked up from the image, her eyes huge. Good God, Garrison, she whispered. I think you missed your calling!

Rick nodded slowly. Nice, man, he said to Lucio, chuckling in shock. Real nice.

You sure you want this on the Internet? Roxie asked, her brow furrowed. You don't know who might see it. I mean Her eyes darted to Josh and Jason, then back to Genevieve. It might attract the attention of one of those ‘he was a quiet man and mostly kept to himself' serial killers prowling the Web for his next victim!

Lucio laughed, as always, amused at Roxie's worst-possible-scenario view of anything related to man-woman relationships.

Well, Josie said, sitting back down. You've set the bar pretty high, Ginger. The rest of us have our work cut out for us.

You're going to make a ton of money, Lucio, Bea said, walking over to slap him on the back. The affectionate tap nearly caused him to spill his wine all over HeatherLynn, who was still asleep in his lap. Every dog owner I know is going to want one of these. I hope you're ready for the demand you're going to unleash.

Lucio looked around at his crowd of friends and raised his glass in thanks. Thanks to all of you, I most certainly am.

I owe you one, Genghis, Lucio mumbled, watching as the fun-loving Labradoodle ran off with the last intact shuttlecock on Samhain Ranch. Blessedly, the badminton tournament had come to a standstill.

I'll check in the barn again, Teeny said with a great sigh. I swear there's some more in there somewhere.

Have mercy on me, Teeny, Lucio whispered in his teammate's ear. Come up empty-handed, I beg of you!

Teeny laughed as he jogged off to the barn.

We're gonna take you down, sucka! Joshua said, making theatrically threatening hand gestures from the opposite side of the net.

Yeah, Bea called out, laughing. Is that all you got for us, pretty boy?

Lucio chuckled as he wiped the sweat off his brow.

You are a far better woman than I, Bea. I need a break.

She laughed again, giving her teenage teammate a victorious high five.

Smiling, Lucio strolled across the lawn to the shaded stone wall, where he ditched the badminton racket. He surveyed the ranch for any sign of Genevieve. Josie and Jason were still on the front porch, talking about her trip to the North Pole. Rick and Roxie had taken the horses out for a ride. Teeny was running toward the barn. Lucio was puzzled. Granted, it was a huge property, but Genevieve was nowhere to be seen.

He decided to try to find her. Lucio took a path through the gardens, remembering that first night they'd spoken, when he'd advised her that he'd be no good for her and, with a trembling hand, she'd given him her card. It was just two months ago, but it seemed like another lifetime.

He'd been filled with self-pity that night, ruminating over how he was nothing without his career. It made Lucio smile to think how drastically his perception had changed. Now, he knew how much he had missed when his career was his only passion. He walked farther, noticing the tall gardenias to his right, recalling how Genevieve's shoulder had brushed against the flowers as she approached him, sending their scent into the evening air. He reached toward the flowers, cradled a single blossom in his hand and inhaled. It was a fragrance he'd always associate with her. He picked the bloom to take along with him, sure that Rick and Josie wouldn't mind.

Lucio continued his stroll through the gardens, stopping long enough to nibble on a few ripe raspberries before he turned onto the crushed-stone path that would eventually take him to the pool and tennis courts. This entire area of the ranch was bordered by a row of tall, flowering hedges that filled the air with a light, intoxicating perfume.

He stopped in mid-stride. In a thick carpet of grass in the shade of the hedges, Genevieve was curled up, asleep, HeatherLynn in the crook of her knees. The dog heard Lucio approach and her tail began to wag, but Lucio put his finger to his lips, knowing she'd understand. Silently, he drew near, then lowered himself to the grass right next to Genevieve. He tucked the hollyhock blossom into HealtherLynn's pink leather collar, then gently adjusted Genevieve so that her head rested in his lap.

Lucio didn't speak. He didn't move. He fought back the desire to touch her silky hair in exchange for the pleasure of watching her sleep. HeatherLynn stretched and yawned, then toddled off across the lawn, flower in her hair, swinging her little fancy dog butt. Lucio chuckled to himself.

He looked up to the evening sky and could hardly believe where he found himselfthe woman, the boys, the dog, good friends, the city of San Francisco. It was shocking to think that just two months ago, none of these things were as important to him as clearing his name and getting his Geographica contract reinstated. Everything had changed the night Genevieve Garrison fainted in his arms. Ironically, now that he'd taken steps to clear his name and put the blame where it belonged, it didn't seem all that important anymore.

She stirred. Her lips parted and she absently rubbed the tip of her nose, still not fully awake. Lucio leaned down. Te amo, Genevieve, he whispered, just before he kissed her tenderly.

She kissed him back, which meant she'd either been awake to hear his profession of love or had woken up in mid-kiss, oblivious to his confession. Lucio realized that either way was all right with him. There was nothing he wanted to keep secret. He loved her. That was a fact.

Please don't tell me I fainted again, Genevieve whispered.

And the kiss was merely my attempt to revive you, Senora Garrison.

She giggled, adjusting her head on his lap. She brought a hand up to softly stroke his thigh. You really did, you know. You revived me.

Hmm, that is a nice way to see it. Very romantic.

Extremely.

Lucio allowed his hand to play in her hair. He noticed that she felt warm to the touch. Are you feeling all right, bonita?

Sure, just tired. I came out here to sit a minute and was lulled to sleep by the perfume of the bushesisn't it glorious?

It is.

Lucio?

Hmm?

I heard what you said.

Lucio's heart began to thump wildly. He had never told a woman he loved herand actually meant it. Early on, he told women he loved them as a matter of strategy. He'd told Alma to see if it would convince her to take off her panties. It worked like a charm, and within three months she was his child bride. Lucio told a few girls he encountered early in his career that he loved them. He'd said it to Sylvie, knowing that he was an insincere cad. It was shameful to recall. He told Sylvie he loved her, and then he left. The cowardly act ate away at his soul for years, but at least it cured him of ever doing it again. And if there were just one mistake he could take backin a lifetime of themhurting Sylvie would be it.

But with Genevieve, it was so different. Lucio was a grown man. He had known many women. But he had never known a woman who made him laugh like Genevieve, made him look forward to each regular day like Genevieve, made him a slave to his passion like Genevieve. It was a curious thing, this love he had for her, because it had given Lucio permission to simply be. With this lovely woman at his side, he was able to fully experience the present moment, instead of plotting his next move, his next trip, his next challenge.

Genevieve sat up, her hair falling across her face as she climbed up to sit fully on his lap. He put his arms around her waist as she wrapped hers around his neck.

I love you, too, Lucio, she whispered. I love you with all my heart.