"Mom, you okay?"

Glancing up, she found Jared looking down at her and she forced a smile. He took a seat next to her on the steps and she kissed his forehead.

"I'm fine."

He looked up at her and asked, "What about Nick? Why hasn't he come around lately?"

She shook her head and said, "I don't know, Baby."

He sighed and said, "I really thought he was going to ask you to marry him."

She looked at him and asked, "Did you want him as a new father?"

Jared shrugged and said, "I think so. I really liked him."

She looked out over the farm and said, "I'm sorry."

He caught her hand and gave her a hug. She watched him disappear back into the house and heard the door close. Sighing, she got to her feet and walked over to the pasture fence. Leaning her arms on the top, she looked around the farm and frowned. The managing started filling her head and she walked into the barn.

Climbing into the hay loft, she sat down in the old spot and looked out the window at the road. Hearing the evening music from the insects, she closed her eyes and tried to forget him. Slowly she fell asleep and curled up in the hay beneath her. The night past and when she woke, the sun shown into the hay loft. Checking her watch, she saw it was past time for the boys to be at school and she forced herself to her feet.

Leaving the barn, she crossed the drive and walked into the house. The bags were gone and she moved upstairs. The bedroom was empty and she let out a sigh. Walking into her room, she stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower.

______________________________________________

"Mom! We're home!"

Timmy took his bag upstairs for the weekend and Jared went out to the barn. He found it locked up and looked out into the pasture. Billy wasn't barking and he sighed as he returned to the house. Stepping inside, he found Timmy coming down the stairs and climbed them. Knocking on her door, he waited and pushed the door open.

Stepping into the room, he found it empty and the bed still made. Frowning, he left the room and walked downstairs. A knock came from the door and he opened it. Billy walked into the hall and sat quietly as Mary stepped inside. Jared opened the door and let the dog out before he followed Mary into the kitchen for dinner.

"Have you seen Mom?"

Mary looked at him and Timmy looked up. She shook her head and Timmy frowned.

"I figured she'd stayed in. I haven't seen any sign of her outside today."

Jared sighed and collapsed into a chair. Timmy got a drink from the fridge and returned to his chair.

"She's probably out looking for a new guy."

Jared's eyes narrowed and Mary looked at the two.

"That's enough. I understand you did not like Nick, but he is important to your mother and brother."

Timmy frowned and said, "He'd be here if he was."

Jared jumped to his feet and growled, "You just don't want to realize that Dad is dead and Mom needs someone."

The door opened and he looked into the hall. Seeing Katie putting her jacket up, he moved down the hall and hugged her.

"Jared? What is it?"

She looked up and found Mary standing in the doorway to the kitchen with Timmy sitting at the table. Understanding, she walked Jared back into the kitchen and sat him down.

______________________________________________

"That was a horrible evening. I'm sorry Mary."

Mary laughed and said, "They're boys."

Looking out onto the land, she sighed and said, "I don't understand what is going on with Timmy."

Mary shook her head and said, "I think Jared is right. He's not ready to let go of David's death."

Sighing, she looked at her friend and said, "Thank you for the meal."

Mary got to her feet and walked down the steps. She stopped and looked back up at Katie.

"You gave us a fright. Please tell me this will stop."

She hesitated and nodded once. Mary smiled and crossed the drive to her house. Once alone, she pulled her jacket closer to her and let out a sigh. Billy trotted onto the porch and curled up next to her. She smirked and began to rub his ear.

"Seems we're night companions."

He rested his head on her lap and she continued rubbing his ear. Headlights appeared in the distance and Billy lifted his head. She watched him dart off the road and run down to the end of the drive. The truck pulled into the drive and Billy chased it up to the top. The engine stopped and the door opened.

She kept her gaze fixed while her body was chilled and inwardly shaking. She watched him kneel down next to Billy and shake paws. Billy licked his face and trotted over to the steps. He climbed them silently and rested at the end of the porch. Slowly she became aware of the gaze set on her and looked fully at him.

He stood at the bottom of the steps and she forced herself to stay put. The sight of him made her want to forget his disappearance act. He took her hand and slowly pulled her up to her feet. She held his gaze and he slipped her arms around his neck. Holding his gaze, she saw the time marked into his face and felt his mouth brush hers.

His taste sent fire through her and she closed her eyes. He deepened the kiss and she ran her fingers through his hair. Feeling his arm hold her against him, she slowly pushed away and held his gaze. Her hand hit his jaw hard and he met her gaze slowly.

"You idiot."

He smirked and pulled her back to him just as her wall broke. Holding her to him, he kissed her gently and rested his head on hers.

"I am an idiot."

She laughed and said, "Promise no more."

He smirked and said, "Promise."

Closing her eyes, she savored his arms around her and his scent filling her senses. Billy whined and she looked back at him. Glancing up at Nick, she found him watching her and she rested her head on his shoulder again.

"I can't explain why."

She stepped back and held his gaze. His eyes were too intense to look at and sent chills through her.

"Then tell me why you came back."

He caught her shoulders and said, "Katie, I don't know why I stayed away for so long. I had wanted you to come to me."

She looked up at him and said, "I did. I was at your door."

His eyes narrowed and she looked away, "I stopped myself from knocking."

She pulled free and asked, "Did you come back because you felt you had to or because you needed us."

He closed his eyes and said, "I never left."

Narrowing her eyes, she held her arms and said, "Then I suggest you leave."

His eyes flashed at her words and he pulled her to him. His mouth crushed hers and her arms went around his neck. He released her mouth and she slowly met his gaze.

"I came back because I needed you. I needed the confusion, the complexity you brought into my life. Marry me."

Her heart stopped and she asked, "What?"

She watched him go down on his knee and hold out a box. Slowly he lifted the lid and she saw the diamond ring. He took her hand and she looked back at him.

"I've wanted you since the day we met in the hospital. I've needed you since that night at the County Fair."

"Nick."

He kissed her hand and asked, "Katie, will you marry me?"

She smiled and pulled him back up to her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him and looked up into his eyes.

"Yes."

He handed her the ring and she slid it on slowly. The fit was perfect and she kissed him again. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she closed her eyes and savored the moment.

PGS