Sanfordâs expression softened as he gazed into her eyes.
He pulled her into his arms with a laugh.
âIâm disabled now, and your temper has escalated!â
Caught off guard, Maggie smiled faintly, her voice softening.
âNo, I havenât.â
âNo? You just scolded me.
Will you continue to do that in the future?â
Maggie blinked, her reply both playful and stern.
âDepends on how you behave.
If you upset me again, Iâll surely scold you.â
âAlas, youâre very tough on me.â
Maggie looked at him, a tender expression crossing her face, and gently kissed his lips.
âHere is a little reward for you.â
Sanfordâs smile was tender as he lifted Maggieâs chin and pressed his lips to hers in a deep, lingering kiss.
Maggieâs eyes closed tightly, her body stiffening with the worry of accidentally hurting Sanfordâs wound.
Noticing her discomfort, Sanford ended the kiss.
In a gravelly voice, he joked, âItâs only been a few days.
Why does your kiss feel so out of practice?â
Maggieâs eyes, full of affection, looked into his.
She replied softly, âSince we havenât kissed in a while.â
Sanfordâs laughter came softly.
âThen I will teach you again today.â
âHmm, watch out for your wound,â she cautioned gently.
âItâs fine,â he said with a grin.
âThe woundâs on my leg, not my mouth!â
Rosalynn and Brian returned to the Morenosâ house, where Rosalynnâs parents and Kyson were waiting anxiously on the sofa.
When they saw the pair return safely, relief washed over everyone, and they all exhaled deeply.
Gail promptly had the servants bring out water for them and then began to ask a flurry of questions.
Rosalynn recounted their experience to the three of them, and they listened intently, their hearts racing as they reflected on the perilous moments Rosalynn and Brian had endured.
Gail brought her hands together in relief and said, âThank God youâre both safe.
Itâs wonderful to see you back unharmed.â
Brendan gave a nod of approval.
âItâs great to have you back.â
Kyson spoke up.
âI knew Rosalynn would make sure Brian got back safely.â
Hearing Kysonâs words, Brian grinned and wrapped his arm around Rosalynnâs shoulders.
âYou are right.
Rosalynn is my lucky charm.
With her around, everything always turns out fine.â