It’s scared me to know that my purpose in life is just love.” I wipe a hot, escaped tear. “Love.” I repeat the cofounding word. “When this is all said and done, where am I supposed to end up? Married? With children? Giving love to you and them?” “We don’t have to get married, Jane,” Thatcher says suddenly, seriously—staring down at me while I look right up at him. “I’ll never make you do anything you don’t want to do.” My heart thumps strangely. “You wouldn’t want to be married one day?” His jaw tics. “I would want that, but if the choice were marriage or you, I’d rather just be with you.”
