The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [135]
“Did you teach him to say that?”
Taylor shook his head. “Not me. We were just playing.”
Kyle turned from Taylor back to his mother again, the same joyous expression on his face.
“Kenk you, Money,” he said simply. “Tayer’s home.”
Taylor’s home. . . .
As soon as he said it, Denise wiped the tears from her cheeks, her hand shaking slightly, and it was quiet for a moment. Neither Denise nor Taylor knew what to say. Though Denise’s shock was evident, to Taylor she looked absolutely wondrous, as beautiful as anyone he’d ever seen. Taylor dropped his eyes and reached for a twig on the ground, then twirled it absently in his fingers. He looked up at her, back to the twig, then over to Kyle before meeting and holding her gaze with steady determination.
“I hope he’s right,” Taylor said, his voice cracking slightly. “Because I love you, too.”
It was the first time he’d ever said the words to her, or to anyone. Though he’d imagined they would be hard to say, they weren’t. He’d never been so sure about anything.
Denise could almost feel Taylor’s emotion as he reached for her hand. In a daze, she took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet, drawing her close. He tilted his head, slowly moving it closer, and before she knew it, she felt his lips against hers, mingling with the warmth of his body. The tenderness of the kiss seemed to last forever until he finally buried his face in her neck.
“I love you, Denise,” he whispered again. “I love you so much. I’ll do anything for another chance, and if you give it to me, I promise I’ll never leave you again.”
Denise closed her eyes, letting him hold her, before finally, reluctantly, pulling back. With a little space between them, she turned away, and for a moment Taylor didn’t know what to think. He squeezed her hand, listening as she took a breath. Still, she didn’t speak.
Above them, the autumn sun was bearing down. Cumulus clouds, rolling white and gray, were drifting steadily, moving with the wind. On the horizon, dark clouds loomed black and thick. In an hour the rain would come, full and heavy. But by then they would be in the kitchen, listening as raindrops pelted the tin roof, watching as the steam from their plates curled toward the ceiling.
Denise sighed and faced Taylor again. He loved her. It was as simple as that. And she loved him. She moved into his arms, knowing that the coming storm had nothing to do with them.
Epilogue
Earlier that morning Taylor had taken Kyle fishing. Denise opted to stay behind; she had a few things to do around the house before Judy came over for lunch, and besides, she needed a bit of a break. Kyle was in kindergarten now, and though he’d come a long way in the past year, he was still having a little trouble adjusting to school for the first time. She continued to work with him on his speech every day, but she was also doing her best to help him with other skills so that he’d be able to keep up with his peers. Fortunately the recent move to their new house hadn’t seemed to bother him at all. He loved his new room, which was much bigger than it had been in their first house in Edenton, and delighted in the fact that it overlooked the water. She had to admit, she loved it, too. From where she was sitting on the porch, she could see Taylor and Kyle perched on the seawall, fishing poles in hand. She smiled wistfully, thinking how natural they looked together. Like father and son, which of course they were.
After the wedding Taylor had legally adopted Kyle. Kyle had served as the ring bearer in a small, private service held at the Episcopal church. A few friends had come in from Atlanta, and Taylor had invited a dozen others from around town. Melissa served as maid of honor, and Judy dabbed at her tears from her seat in the front row as the rings were exchanged. After the ceremony Taylor and Denise drove to Ocracoke and honeymooned in