Page 114 of Chasing the Dream

He kissed the top of her head and then shifted so he could see her better. “What if I told you that you could keep working for me? Would that make it easier for you to stay?”

“But what about Dana?”

He shook his head. “She’s not coming back.”

“What?” Her eyes went round, and he laughed.

“Dana called me on Friday afternoon before we left to come here. She changed her mind about returning to work. She said she can’t stomach the thought of leaving her newborn.”

“Ohmigod. What did you say?”

“I told her I understood, which I do. I don’t have a child yet, but I can imagine it would be difficult to leave them behind and go to work each day.”

She smiled at that, almost like she was proud of him. “I’ve known other women who’ve said the same thing.”

He nodded. “Anyway, since you’ve been handling her accounts, why not stay and continue working?”

“That’s really sweet of you, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“I’m sure there are several other employees with more experience who would like her job. If you give it to me, they’ll think you’re playing favorites. Some of them already suspect we’re together, and that would just make it worse.”

“I’ve already thought of that. I’ll announce the job opening and give anyone who’s interested a fair shot at it, including you. But instead of me making the final decision, we could have a panel of employees vote on it.”

“Hmm. Sounds very…democratic. But what if they don’t vote for me?”

“I thought of that too.”

“Of course you did.”

“I know a lot of people in this business. If you can’t work for me, you’d have a dozen other opportunities.”

She blinked rapidly, a telltale sign that she was considering it. “You’ve given this a lot of thought, haven’t you?”

“That’s because I want you to stay. I love you, Morgan. I’ll love you wherever you are, but I prefer to love you here in Arizona. Stay with me.” It was as close to begging as he’d come, but he wasn’t opposed to pleading some more if he had to.

She gazed at him and swallowed hard. “I can’t imagine leaving you.”

“Then don’t.”

Throughout the conversation, hikers passed along the trail in front of them, yet all he could see was her and the love shining in her eyes. He prayed that would be enough.

“There’s still the matter of where I’d live, and I’d need a car, and what about telling my parents?”

He reached out and brushed her blonde curls off her shoulder. He could tell she was nervous, but she seemed excited too, just like when they’d climbed to the top of the mountain. She was strong and determined, and she probably didn’t even need him, but he wanted to be there for her—always.

“You’ll move in with me, we’ll buy you a car—you can pay for it yourself because I know how you are about these things—and we’ll fly back to Michigan and tell your parents together. Hell, Maria can come too if you want her to.”

“Maybe she’ll want to bring Matt,” Morgan said, sounding more enthusiastic by the minute.

“The more, the merrier.” Merry. Marry. Hmm…

“It all sounds so wonderful, kind of like a dream come true.”

“This is going to sound cheesy, but that’s what you are to me, a dream come true.”

She flung her arms around his neck, went up on her knees, and kissed him long and deep.