Aiden woke up finding the love of his life sprawled across him. It was the best feeling in the world. The fever had finally broken after several days. She had the covers pulled up to her shoulders. "Thank God," he whispered. Aiden was so excited that he couldn't let her sleep. He needed to see his Jas back. He tapped her on the shoulder. "Babe."

She stretched, her eyes blinked open. Then she smiled. Aiden's heart nearly stopped from joy. "You're okay."

"I'm fine. Thank you and Anna for being here."

He couldn't stop kissing her face enough. He drew her into his arms and held on as if tomorrow wasn't coming. She rested contentedly with him, pondering what she'd gone through over the last two weeks. With detox, everyone's experience was different. Unfortunately, she'd had the worst end of the spectrum. "It's over, Aiden."

"Yes, it is. You're going to need to take it easy. I don't want you doing anything."

"You're right. Did you tell Nanna?"

"Yes. Nanna has been praying for you and is proud of your decision."

Jas squeezed Aiden's hand. "Good. You know what I'd like right now?"

"Anything."

"Take a hot bath."

Aiden smiled. "That, we can do."

***

"We did it!" Nanna shouted, startling Major. She and Major had just come back from lunch. She walked passed the reception desk and the clerk had handed her the mail. The first royalty check from The Apple Blossom Inn Pies had come in.

"What is it, Arabella."

"It's $175,000 from the pies. That Aiden is a genius. Look at this."

She slipped the report into Major's hand. His eyes widened as he saw the list of stores that were now servicing the pies. Aiden's company had successfully gotten The Apple Blossom Inn Pies in major grocery store chains and boutique shops across the country. "Unbelievable," he said. "This is a runaway hit, darling."

Nanna was so overwhelmed that she leaned against Major and started crying. He gently rubbed her shoulders. Nanna was so choked up. "I've always worried about how I was going to take care of Jas and this inn if anything had happened to me. Now her future is secure, whether we keep the inn or not."

It was very unfortunate that Bruce walked in just as Nanna said, "whether we keep the inn or not." He hadn't heard anything else. His blood pressure soared to the heavens when he saw her leaning against that man...

"Crying! You have her crying." Bruce stomped across the room inches from Major's face. "You better have an explanation for Nanna crying, Beauregard. Hell will freeze over before this inn is sold."

Nanna was slack jawed. "Bruce!"

"I knew that I should have come over here today. I just knew it." Bruce pushed Major away from Nanna.

"Now, see here young man," Major bellowed.

"Bruce, wait Bruce. It's not what you think. You've got everything all wrong." Nanna quickly stepped between them. She had never seen Bruce that angry. She was frantic. "Stop it, Bruce!"

"I promised Jas that I'd look out for you. I've done the best that I can. If something happens to this inn while their gone I can never forgive myself."

"Young man you need to listen."

"Beauregard, I'm inches from ending your life. You need to stay out of this."

Major was a cowboy and this man had just crossed the line. He might be older, but he'd been in enough brawls in his day to know how to throw a good punch. He pulled his arm back and hit Bruce in the jaw so hard that it sent him sprawling on the floor.

Nanna nearly passed out. She held herself up by leaning against the front desk. She was hyperventilating.

Major stepped over Bruce. "You stay right there until I have my say." Bruce was seething. "I'm Major. Major Beauregard Stallworth. I'm one of the wealthiest men in the states. I am not interested in this inn. That fine lady over there is about to become my wife. She's moving to Dallas. We're trying to get things ready for Jas. It will be her choice to keep or sell this inn."

Nanna burst out crying. This was not the way that she planned for things to go. She looked over at Bruce and he looked horrified. His face was ghostly. Bruce was so distressed that he couldn't say anything. He just stared at Nanna.

Major walked over to Nanna, scooping her in his arms. "Everything is going to be all right, sunshine." Then he turned to Bruce. "I suggest we all take a walk to the solarium and get this whole matter straightened out." Bruce was like a zombie as he followed them down the hall.

***

The soaking tub in Aiden's bath suite was filled to the rim with bubbles. She relaxed against him. "As soon as I get my strength back I want us to get the wedding licenses."

Aiden's heart went to his throat. "Jas – really. That would please me so much."

"When I was laying in the bed and saw how you stayed with me day and night, I said to myself that I couldn't make you wait any longer. We've been apart long enough. I don't know how everything is going to work out with the inn and Nanna. I just know we need to be together."

"Oh, Jas," he whispered kissing her on the shoulder.

"We'll have to go back to Ellijay to get the licenses because I want to be married at the inn."

***

"I'm so upset, Kathy."

"Calm down, Deanna. How could either of you control a blizzard?"

Deanna flung herself against the bed. She pouted like a child. She closed her eyes and didn't say anything for a few minutes.

"Deanna, you know that part of the country has huge snowstorms. I am certain that the doctor will be able to get a flight out tomorrow. You waited this long for Troy. What's another day going to hurt?"

She huffed, "I know you're right. It's just that I was counting on this happening today."

"You can do it. Think about something else. Maybe go to a play or something."

"I've done everything you could possibly do in Atlanta. I just want to get this over with so that I can move on. I'm ready to go home. I miss Troy. I miss my life."

Kathy shifted the conversation. "So, you really think that Aiden must be back in Ellijay with that lady?"

"Yes. I've been keeping up with his receptionist and he still hasn't come back to work. His company is strong enough to function without him at the helm. She said that she asked around and a few people have seen him, but he doesn't stay. He takes care of simple matters, then leaves."

"You believe that he's travelling between Ellijay and New York."

"Yes."

"Well, I hope so for your sake. I hope that everything concerning your past in Ellijay and Aiden can be taken care of in one big sweep."

Deanna stuffed a pillow under her head, reached for the remote and flicked off the TV. "I'm scared, the closer it gets, Kathy."

"That's to be expected. You may be afraid of the unknown, but you're not afraid to face the past. Be proud of yourself. You're doing the right thing, Deanna."

***

Aiden knew he should listen to his mind, the thoughts that told him to pull away. But tonight, the passion between them left him feeling as if he was pushing hot lava back into a volcano. Aiden was feverish. Fervent kisses dulled his wrecked senses. Everything had changed when Jas got her strength back. She longed for him, not near as badly as the way Aiden wanted her.

Aiden, reluctantly dragged his mouth away. His heart pounded heavily. "Babe," he whispered, "I want to do more to you, than I should. I need you to help me be strong."

The moon cast a peaceful glow upon her. Jas smiled up at him, gently stroking his face, "This is really different from the first time, isn't it?"

He nodded.

"I feel like I'm getting to know you in a deeper way. Your touch is like being in a love song that never ends."

Her words stoked the embers he was trying to douse. Aiden's mind drifted back, thinking about what she meant to his entire life. Jas was the one place he could hide. She was the person that always believed in him. Jas was the person that could see the best in him, when he was at his worst. He'd been so naïve thinking that things he could give her, proved his love. That is why these moments were so important.

Aiden had learned that giving Jas his time with nothing expected in return was the greatest expression of his love. He'd spend all night bonding her with blazing kisses – securing her with his touch. Aiden had watched her love bloom under his unyielding attention. His heart was so full. Aiden gazed into eyes filled with as much want as his own. He rested his forehead against hers. "Killing me, babe."

Jas's lips curved up. He traced them with the tip of his finger. Then his eyes dropped to her lips. Should he kiss them? Would the firestorm start again, burning away what was left of his resolve? Jas must have notice the struggle in his eyes.

"I'll help you. I'll be able to stop."

"I don't know, Jas," he breathed. Fire raged through him again.

"I know what you want and I know why you want it."

She leaned up gently kissing his face. "You felt that the last time you took all of my body and soul, then walked away."

He nodded, remnants of grief stabbed him.

"Marriage is a symbol that you can't walk away from me. I get that. As much as I want you. I will keep us safe."

"God, I love you," Aiden whispered.

"As do I."

Jas closed the distance between their lips. Aiden deepened the kiss. It wasn't long before they were pulled into loves gravity.

***

Troy sat in the doctor's lounge with Keith. He was troubled again. Troy's chair faced the window. He stared out, blankly.

"She hasn't answered the phone all day, Keith. I know that she's already gone."

"It was nothing that you could do. The flights were backed up from the blizzard. It's unfortunate that Dr. Thorsby couldn't get a flight out until the morning. You know Deanna, it's commendable how long she waited, anyway."

"I know," Troy said shaking his head.

Keith felt so bad for his friend. Pain radiated off of him. He scoured his mind trying to think of something comforting to say. "This is going to work. You've got to believe that."

"I just can't imagine what she's going to do. Things are not like when she left. Her parents are dead. She has no relationship with her sibling. The man that destroyed her life, what if he's a nut case? I'm worried, Keith. Going back might be more traumatic than either of us anticipated."

Keith got up, walked across the room and brought them both cups of coffee. He slipped the cup in front of Troy. "Sugar?"

"No."

"Listen, Troy, the way things are, Deanna is stuck. It's pain in her past and without Aiden, it's pain now. Sometimes dealing with what you've run from gets you unstuck. Deanna is strong, you're going to be okay."

"I want to believe that so badly."

"It's a choice to believe or not to believe. You're going to believe something. Why not believe for the best outcome?"

"You're right, Keith."

***

The temperature had dropped. There was a threat of snow up in the mountains. Heavy snow clouds tracked across the purplish evening sky. Deanna had passed a sign reading Canton, GA. She knew that she was only 40 miles away from Ellijay. The black town car hugged the swirling roads as it snaked higher north.

The trip had been a tearful one, as movies played out in her head. There was a pile of wet tissues on the passenger side floor. She turned the defroster on, clearing the windshield from the effects of changed elevations.

Occasionally, she took comfort in the dazzling trees as they zipped past. Autumn didn't look this amazing in Chicago. The split between her inner and outer vision often blurred. Somehow, she managed to stay focused on the road, while seeing her life drift by. Deanna lifted a tissue dabbing away the tear that clung to her nose.

"Didn't I tell you not to come back here." Billy Bob's voice was deliberating low, yet filled with venom.

"I don't have anywhere to go, Billy Bob, please. They threw me out."

"Why the hell didn't you take the pill. Pregnant – damn it, Deanna."

Deanna insides balled in confusion. Was this the same man that over and over had declared his love? Was this the same man that consumed her body and whispered that she was the only woman in his life? The man that was fused into her being. Her love for him was as strong as the devastating blow she felt now. Deanna's body was trembling from the cold and from his callousness.

"Billy, you love me, right?" Her eyes pleaded for any sign of compassion or warmth. But his eyes were dead. "I don't have anywhere to go. He was coming to shoot you, Billy."

Even now Deanna could see the rage in her father's eyes. It made her shiver. She saw the gun drop from his hand as she had plowed into him. Her mother grabbed her by the hair – get out – the words caused her blood to freeze again.

"Shit!" said Billy.

"Who's at the door, Billy?"

The next thought caused Deanna to pull the car to the side of the road. Memories she'd repressed surfaced like a turbulent sea. She leaned against the steering well and wept.

Deanna's eyes widened when she saw the swell in the woman's belly. She felt bile rise in her throat. Billy Bob's eyes sliced across Deanna. His lips thinned. He glared at her as if to say - you'd better not say a word.

"Myrna, this is my cousin, Trina. She got herself in the family way. Her parents kicked her out."

Deanna shook uncontrollably. Her body was racked with pain, but she knew she couldn't cry. Billy Bob's glare had silenced her.

"She can't stay here. We've got our own baby's coming."

"You need to go on back in the house. She's staying."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah, just like that."

Deanna's eyes bounced between them. She didn't recognize Billy Bob. This was not the same caring man that had controlled her body. This man was dark with violence seething just beneath the surface. Myrna cursed and huffed off.

Billy Bob held the door open. Deanna was shattered. She turned to run. He grabbed her arm. "You ain't got nowhere else to go. Get in here."

Deanna remembered shaking her head in disgust. Billy Bob took her suitcase and put it in the room across from his bedroom, the one she'd lain with him in. "You'll sleep in there."

"I can't stay there with you across the hall with her," she pleaded in a whisper. "I'll sleep on the sofa."

"You'll sleep in here so I can close the door and not see you."

The words had choked her. Deanna's knees buckled. Billy picked her up and dumped her on the bed. As he closed the door she could see Myrna about to crawl into Billy's bed.

When Deanna looked up, the inky purple sky had blackened. Soft drifts of snow covered her windshield. She turned on the wipers. "Am I ready for this?" She thought a few moments. He's taken enough from me. Deanna wiped her tears and headed to Ellijay.

***

It was late by the time Deanna reached Ellijay. The were no street lights, but Deanna knew those roads like a GPS. The longer she drove, the stronger she felt. Suddenly her tears turned into rage. She'd keep that feeling to deal with the scum that defecated on her life. "God if he's dead, I'll unbury him!"

She was determined to be as close to Billy as possible. So, she headed toward the Apple Blossom Inn. She'd never gone inside the inn and didn't know Nanna or Jas. It was a placed that she passed by on the way to be with Billy. The only other time it came to mind is when the P.I. told her that Aiden had been there.

As she drove through downtown Ellijay she was surprised to see it teaming with life. Banners hung in the town square – The Apple Blossom Festival. She smiled. It was incredible that they were still having the fair. Her eyes trailed the streets. Ellijay had grown. This is beautiful.

A spark of her life before Billy complicated it, flared. She used to have fun at the festival. The fresh aroma of funnel cakes and cotton candy flooded the air. The warm memories made her stop the car. She parked in the first spot she could find.

Deanna stepped out and stretched her legs from the long drive. She bundled up in her coat and made her way through town. Country music spilled from café's and honky-tonk bars. People were line dancing in the public square. Everyone was enjoying the apple harvest. Deanna stepped into a shop and ordered a glass of hot apple cider. As she sat down at the table, her cell phone dinged. It was Troy.

No need in asking where you are. I'll be in Ellijay in the morning. Where will you be staying?

She smiled and allowed love for her husband to well in her heart. Deanna was going to make everything up to him for the rest of her life. God had given her the right man to mend her broken pieces and patiently walk through hardships she'd caused in her own life.

I love you. Deanna kissed the phone as she sent the message.

I know.

I just arrived. I will be at the Apple Blossom Inn.

Rest well, darling. Can't wait to see you.

Me too.

The thought of Troy's support added more strength to Deanna. It was enough to make her want to cast off her shadows and dance. She drank the last bit of cider. Sunlight spilled into her soul as she gave in to the festivities. Deanna stepped in the street and started line dancing with the happy crowd.

***

"So, you're not going to tell me what happened when you confronted Beauregard?"

"I don't want to talk about it, Michelle."

She slammed the pot lid down on the chili.

Bruce turned to his wife and gave a stern look. "Don't get upset with me about this."

"Why can't you tell me? It bothers me to see you this way."

"Now, you understand how I felt."

Michelle crossed her arms and glared at Bruce. She walked over to the pantry and pulled out a package of cornbread mix. "Then you should know how I feel."

Bruce didn't respond.

"Do you want jalapenos and cheese in the cornbread?" She stirred the ingredients in a large bowl. "Did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry. I'm distracted."

Michelle stopped stirring and sat down at the table next to Bruce. "Nanna's not sick, is she?

Bruce smirked. "Far from that."

"Then what?"

"Michelle, give me some time to process things. But I will try to put your mind at ease, Beauregard is not trying to buy the inn."

***

Deanna's brows knit together. She stood with her arms crossed. "Certainly, you must have one room available?"

"Sorry ma'am but I've been trying to tell you for the last ten minutes that we are book solid."

"Won't someone be checking out in the morning? I can wait in the lobby tonight."

The front desk clerk eyes softened and she smiled. "I wish that I could help you ma'am, but the inn is full because of the festival."

Deanna raised her voice. "You don't understand I absolutely must have a room here."

Nanna and Major strode in, arm in arm. A smile covered her face. They had returned from the festival in good spirits and arms stuffed with bags filled with everything apple from vendors far and near. Nanna's pies had been an absolute hit. She stopped and glanced at the distressed woman. "Is everything all right, Shawna?"

"Well, I was explaining that we have no more rooms available. I was telling her that there are other hotels..."

Nanna was pricked in her heart. She reflected that only a few months ago the inn was dead. Now all the rooms were filled. Nanna glanced at the woman. "You look troubled."

"It's very important that I be at this inn."

Nanna tried to place the woman's face but could not. She had an uncanny memory for guests that had visited the inn, nothing came to mind. Nanna gave the Deanna a once over, noting something odd. She looked familiar. "Have we ever met before?"

"No."

"I'm Arabella Stone, the owner of the inn."

"Ma'am is there any way that you can help me?"

The desperation in her voice and expression tugged on Nanna's heart. Nanna walked around the desk and flipped through the registration log. She could believe it, even the west wing was full. Nanna looked up sadly, "I was trying to see when the earliest person would be checking out, but most people are staying through the Apple Festival."

Deanna's face clouded. The exhaustion from the last few months of searching for Aiden and dealing with her past brimmed in her eyes. Nanna touched Deanna's hand. "Oh, my dear, what is the matter?" Deanna's lips were trembling. Nanna felt horrible.

"She can have my room," said Major, abruptly. He was hardly there anyway. "I'll go move my clothes out."

Deanna wiped her face. "Thank you, sir. You don't know how much this means to me."

Major shook Deanna's hand heartily. "I'm Major Stallworth. Nice to meet you and have a nice stay here."

"I'm Deanna."

"Welcome to the inn, Deanna," said Nanna. "Well that settles things. Thank you, Major." She turned to the receptionist. "Please send for someone to clean the room."

Nanna gave a sideways glance. "You're sure we've never met? You look so familiar?"

"No ma'am. I've never been in this inn."

Nanna slipped her hand in Deanna's. "Why don't you and I go to the kitchen and have a sandwich and hot cider while they get the room ready."