| Chapter Twenty Three days later, Billy called Heidi to his room and told her that she had been called in for another assignment. “I’m not ready for another assignment. Ask them to give it to someone else,” she said. “Are you sure?” he asked in disbelief. She nodded her head. She had done a lot of thinking over the last few days and had come to realize that Nick was just as scared as she was. “I’m positive Billy. There are things here that I have to straighten out first.” Billy nodded and Heidi went back to hers and Nick’s room. “What did Billy want?” Nick asked as she came through the door. “He informed me that I have another assignment,” she reported, keeping her eyes averted. “Do you have to take it?” he asked, seeing his dreams walking out the door if he didn’t say something now. She shook her head and replied, “I told him I wasn’t taking it.” Nick’s mouth dropped open as he starred at her. “Why?” “Why what?” “Why aren’t you taking it? Don’t you want to?” “Honestly, no I don’t. Not right now. Things need to be settled here before I can consider moving on.” Nick swallowed and asked, “What things?” Heidi was learning to read his expressions and right now she knew he was worried. “Things like, where things stand between you and me. Where do we stand?” she asked, meeting his gaze. Nick stood and crossed the distance to her. He knew he was going to have to lay his heart on the line if he expected her to stay. Taking a deep breath for courage he reached for her hand and said, “What if I told you I didn’t want you to leave… Ever?” Heidi’s heart flipped over and she felt like shouting. Tempering her emotions, she said, “What if I told you I don’t want to leave... Ever?” A slow smile parted his lips and the smile reached his eyes. “Are you saying you want to stay here, with me?” “Are you saying you want me to stay here, with you?” she returned. The silly bantering lifted Nick’s sadness and his heart soared. “Yes. That’s what I want,” he answered as his lips closed over hers. THE END Main Page SNC Index My Stories |