"And you?"


    Hawthorne grinned. "Of course, I rushed back just to see you. Tomorrow, I want to take you to Greenvale. My brother and sister-inw are eager to meet you."


    He didn''t mention that Mr. and Mrs. Everhart actually had something to tell her, or that they were nning to give her gifts-especially Leonie, who was practically beside herself with excitement.


    Gwh hesitated. "I haven''t told Mom and the others yet."


    Hawthorne looked at her and asked, "What if I hadn''te back?"


    The Langford family would probably be worried sick by now.


    Gwh wasn''t about to say that out loud. Instead, she shot back, "Would you really note?"


    Hawthorne ruffled her hair with fond affection. "No chance. After all the trouble I went through with the engagement gifts, I''m not about to let that go to waste." Gwh''s heart warmed for half a second before indignation bubbled up in her chest.


    "So it''s not me you''re attached to, just the gifts? Fine, take them all back—I don''t care."


    She couldn''t tell if he was joking or not, and the uncertainty just made her more annoyed.


    Watching her puff up in anger, Hawthorne couldn''t help butugh, his chest shaking with the effort to hold it in. When Gwh looked up and realized he was barely suppressing hisughter, she red at him.


    "What''s so funny?"


    He hooked a finger under her chin, teasing, "If a few gifts can win me a beautiful woman like you, I''d say it''s a fair trade."


    Gwh had thought their conversation was going perfectly well-Hawthorne seemed perfectly normal-until he looked at her with that mischievous glint, like a thief eyeing his prize.


    "If you''re nervous about telling them, I''ll go with you."


    He changed the subject so quickly it saved Gwh from her own embarrassment and uncertainty.


    "No need," she cut him off quickly. "I''ll handle it. Mom and the rest won''t stop me."


    If Hawthorne hadn''te back, Chris, Celia, and even her great-grandfather


    would probably have marched her to Greenvale themselves—or dragged Hawthorne back to Starfall City for an exnation.


    They talked a while longer, until the sky outside deepened into night. Hawthorne, finally said, "It''s gettingte. You should get some rest.. want to leave early tomorrow flying to Greenvale will take three hours, even by private jet. And there''ll be a lot to do once we arrive."


    Gwh nodded. She was still a bundle of nerves when she went to her room.


    But as soon as Hawthorne stepped into the shower, the sound of water somehow made her feel safe, and before long, she drifted off.


    Hawthorne didn''te out for half an hour. By the time he did, Gwh was already fast asleep.


    f.ne


    He''d half expected this oue, but a tiny pang of disappointment still hit him. After traveling thousands of miles and spending all this time talking with her, he''d hoped maybe they''d grow a little closer. Sighing, he slipped under the covers and gently pulled her into his arms. Gwh instinctively nuzzled closer, then wrapped her arms around his waist in her sleep.


    Hawthorne immediately tensed, while Gwh just kept breathing deeply, sound asleep.


    He gazed down at her peaceful, innocent face and pressed a kiss to her forehead.


    Still just a child, he thought. For a moment, guilt washed over him for letting his thoughts stray. Lying there, he decided he couldn''t bring himself to do anything that might hurt her purity. If he gave in to temptation, what kind of man would that make him?


    The night stretched on. Hawthorne


    held her without moving, waiting until he was sure she was deeply asleep before carefully slipping out of bed and heading back to the bathroom. This time, he took a cold shower, letting the icy water cool the restlessness inside him. Only when he felt like himself again did he return to bed and gather her gently into his arms.


    He heard her mumble, "Daddy-"


    She said something else, too soft to catch. In the moonlight, he noticed a glimmer of tears at the corners of her eyes.


    "Sweet girl," Hawthorne whispered, kissing away her tears and holding her close.


    That''s how they spent the night-together, yet worlds apart. By the time Gwh woke, the other side of the bed was empty. She had no idea when she''d fallen asleep, or when Hawthorne had gotten up. She reached out and felt the faint warmth lingering on the sheets.