He laughed aloud and pulled her tightly against him. “You’re the one for me, Maura. The only one.”
“And you for me, Jefferson. I will love you always.”
“I’m counting on it,” he told her, and gave her a soul-searing kiss that promised a lifetime of love more powerful than either of them had ever imagined.
And when that kiss ended, they parted to the sound of hearty applause and sharp whistles. Looking toward the barn, Jefferson grinned, took Maura’s hand in his and said, “Come with me. I want you to meet my family.”
“Our family,” she corrected and laid her head against his shoulder.
Then together, they walked away from the past and into the future.