"Since Rita's death, I've been frozen inside," he said quietly. "My heart has been a solid block of ice. I've been afraid to live. Afraid to reach out and take all the things life offers. You showed me how to live again. You showed me how all those risks play into the big picture of life. You proved it to me over and over again. You proved to me Steph is young and strong and can lead a full life if I just let go a little. You proved to me that to live, to love, you must first be willing to take chances."

Fresh tears filled her eyes as she stared at the man she loved more than life itself. "I didn't ever think I'd hear you say that."

"Neither did I. And I fought you at every turn. But you're right." Slipping his hands to either side of her face, he kissed her.

The gentleness of the kiss devastated her. She closed her eyes against the rush of emotion, the wave of physical sensation, and kissed him back.

"I know you don't want to hear this," she murmured. "But I love you, Nick. I love you, and I don't even care if you're ready to love me back-"

"I love you, too, McNeal."

The words stunned her, sent her heart tumbling into bliss like she'd never known.

He kissed her temple. Her nose. The side of her mouth. "I love you so much it scares me. But I'm willing to risk it, honey, if you're willing to take a chance on me."

"I've never walked away from a risk," she said.

"Even when walking away is the safe thing to do?"

"Especially when it's the safe thing to do."

"Ah, McNeal, I didn't think I'd ever want to hear you say that, but I'm really glad you did."

In the distance, the sound the police sirens rose above the din of rain on the roof. Pressing his cheek against her temple, Nick skimmed his hands up and down her back. "There's no policy against married police officers in the Logan Falls PD. What do you say we make it permanent?"

Erin closed her eyes and let sheer happiness wash over her. "I can probably outshoot you. And I don't mind jumping into a fray now and again. Are you sure that won't bother you?"

"I think my ego can handle the shooting part." He grinned. "And I might just keep you too busy making love for you to be jumping into frays."

"What about Stephanie? How will she-"

"She's crazy about you, Erin. Mrs. Thornsberry is crazy about you." He kissed her again. "I'm so crazy in love with you I can't stand the thought of being without you."

Erin smiled up at him through tears of joy, knowing she was the luckiest woman in the world. "Well, Chief, maybe we should go get Stephanie and take her home so we can break the good news to her."

"Home," he echoed, and pulled her close. "It's been a long time since I've truly been home."

"We're home now, Nick. You've brought me home."

"You showed me the way. I love you."

Blinking back tears, Erin looked outside. The storm had broken. Hazy tendrils of sunlight broke through the clouds like streams of wet gold. She'd never seen a more beautiful sunrise. And she'd never been happier than at this moment in her life.

Nick reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly, his gaze telling her all the things she already knew in her heart-and felt all the way to her soul.

"I love you, too," she whispered. "Always."

Hand in hand, they started toward the entrance where the future waited with a promise of happiness and light and the unending hope for tomorrow.

Nick paced the surgical waiting area for what seemed like the hundredth time. A dozen cups of coffee churned in the pit of his stomach, and every nerve in his body snapped like live wires. If one more nurse came through those double doors without any news, he thought he might explode. Stephanie had been in the operating room for nearly two hours, and he'd worried every second with agonizing intensity.

"Chief."

He jumped at the sound of Mrs. Thornsberry's voice. "What is it, Em?" he asked irritably.

"I'm going down to the cafeteria for coffee. Do you want me to bring you back a cup?" she asked.

"Only if it's got a doctor attached to it," he snapped. "What on earth is taking so long?"

"It's only been two hours-"

"Is he causing you problems, Em?"

Even through the stress and tension of Stephanie's surgery, Nick's heart soared at the sound of Erin's voice. He turned, and as usual, felt all his blood spiral into a slow, rolling free fall. "McNeal."

The two women exchanged knowing smiles, then Mrs. Thornsberry started for the elevator down the hall.

Erin walked into the waiting area and faced Nick. "The name is Ryan now, Chief. You're going to have to stop calling me by my maiden name."

He looked into the green depths of her gaze and felt the knot in his gut begin to unravel. That was all it took for him these days. A touch. A word. A smile. And the instant he held her in his arms, he knew everything was right with the world.

"She's going to be fine," Erin told him.

"Dr. Brooks should have finished by now."

"Dr. Brooks is the best neurosurgeon in the state." Even in uniform, she took his breath away. They'd been married for less than a month, and he still couldn't get enough of her. Judging by the amount of love jammed into his heart, Nick figured he never would.

The need to feel her in his arms had him reaching for her. "Come here. I need to hold you."

Smiling tentatively, Erin stepped into his embrace. Nick closed his eyes and held her, felt another knot of tension unravel. "You're just what the doctor ordered," he murmured.

"I'm glad I could oblige," she said. "Maybe we could work in a little physical therapy later…"

"Ah, McNeal, you always know just where to hit a guy."

Cocooned within his embrace, she sighed. Nick knew the signs, and asked, "What is it?"

"Not now. Not when Stephanie-"

" Erin." Easing her to arm's length, Nick put his palm beneath her chin and forced her gaze to his. "Talk to me."

"For some reason Steph's operation made me think about Danny. I still can't believe he was dirty. That he lied to me. Betrayed me… for money. It still hurts."

"I know, honey. I'm sorry."

"But even after what he did to me-all the anguish he put me through-I can't bear the thought of him going to prison."

"Frank said his lawyer is already working on a deal with the D.A. He probably won't do prison time. Probation, maybe. Or community service." Nick wasn't sure yet how he felt about that, since Danny Perrine had nearly gotten her killed, but he knew it would make Erin happy, so he'd come to terms with it.

The sound of the double doors opening spun them around. Nick's heart stopped at the sight of Stephanie's doctor, still clad in his green surgical scrubs.

Erin stepped forward. "How did it go?"

"The operation was successful," Dr. Brooks said. "We did a preliminary reflex test a few minutes ago, and she moved her right foot. That's a good sign this early in the game. We'll know more after she comes around-"

Nick didn't hear the rest of the sentence. Emotion spiraled through him with such force that he couldn't speak. He stared at the doctor, grappling for control, vaguely aware of Erin reaching for his hand.

"When can we see her?" he asked after a moment.

"In about ten minutes. We're taking her down to recovery now. She'll probably sleep most of the day."

Feeling the heat of tears behind his eyes, Nick turned away and walked to the window. His heart was doing acrobatics in his chest-flips and spins and dives, all without the benefit of a safety net. If he didn't know better, he thought he might just break down and cry.

A moment later, he felt Erin 's hand on his shoulder. "Nick?"

He turned, found her green eyes bright with tears. "She's going to be okay. She's going to walk again. She's going to run again." A laugh broke from her lips. "If I have anything to do with it, she's going to ride Bandito again."