I clutched at the fabric of his shirt, burying my face in his shoulder. Some tears spilled out and I refused to show my face. Soft yet firm hands stroked my back, warm lips kissing my hair. He rocked us back and forth, trying to calm my crying. "This isn't forever, sweetheart," he said combing his fingers through my hair. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I know," I sniffled, still hiding my face from his sight. "I still hate it."

He pulled me up to sit on his lap as he rested his head against mine. His suitcase sat on the bed, packed and ready to go. His guitar case lay on top of it along with his grumpy teddy bear. My necklace lay against my chest over my heart. "Thanks for invitin' me over," he said. "I had fun." We both glanced over at the pile of sheets sitting by the door I had yet to wash. "Maybe a little too much fun..."

Composing myself a little I pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. His lovely eyes that I loved so much. This man that I loved so much. Tour started up again in a couple of days and he had to head to his parents' house where Malcolm was waiting. My family was coming home today and Angus needed to make himself scarce. He helped me with dishes and whatnot but I told him I'd do the rest. I needed something to work on; to distract me after he left. Angus never explicitly said this, but there was a good chance I wouldn't see him until next Christmas. 

I poked him in the chest. "You're Angus McKinnon," I said. 

He batted his eyelashes and touched his nose to mine. "An' you're Hannah Ruth," he said. He helped me to stand. "Come on, I gotta get goin'."

**********

Clouds gathered above us. It looked like a summer thunderstorm. Angus set his cargo down and pulled me in for another hug. I held my breath, hoping the tears wouldn't start up again. "You take care of yourself," he said. "And your cats."

"I will," I said as my voice cracked. 

He lowered his voice. "Don't let your family get ya' down," he said. "I'll find a steady place to live an' I'll take ya' with me. Alright?" I didn't answer. My heart had been broken so many times I wasn't sure if I wanted to accept his promise. But this was Angus. He said he'd come back after the tour and he did. Why should he keep one promise and not the other? He held his pinkie finger out to me. 

After a minute of debating with myself I finally gave him mine. 

"An' if ya' ever want to join me on a tour..." He shrugged. "We can give it a try, ya' know? An' if ya' want to take it easy you can stay at home an' play with our dogs." I smiled. "An'...ya' know...if ya' ever decide you're ready...we can....get married or somethin'."

I tackled him. 

He caught me as he stumbled backward. I took in everything about him that I could. The way his hair smelled, the way his strong arms felt wrapped around me, the sound of his voice, the gleam of his eyes. If I wasn't going to see him again for another year I wanted as much as I could take. Then I remembered something.

"What about your jumper?" I asked. He frowned.

"What jumper?"

"The one you lent me." His eyes lit up.

"Oh, that one! You keep that one, I've got others lyin' around," he said. "Looks better on you anyway."

I blushed. "Thanks, Ang."

The sky darkened considerably. A light wind picked up. Angus zipped up his jacket and rested his forehead against mine. "I love you."

"I love you too." My breathing hitched. To keep my tears from spilling Angus held me in his arms and kissed me. I drank his lips, wanting to remember every inch of them. When we separated the world came back into focus. Angus picked up his things, ever a smile on his face.

"You'll see me again," he said. "You can count on that." Slugging the teddy bear under his arm he walked down the path. "I love you!" 

"I love you too!" I watched him disappear. My body crumpled and I sat on the front porch, the wind rustling through my hair. A bird landed at my feet, pecking the ground before taking off again. 

Right then I knew he'd keep his promise. 

Because he's Angus McKinnon. 

To Be Continued....