Chapter 56

“Micah…I have never…” Jefferson stopped and cleared his throat, but he couldn’t smooth out the rough edges on his words. “Nobody has ever given me such a precious gift.”

Relief, scorching and fluid, surged through him. “They are but words. But their meaning is true. I would give them to you a thousandfold if you allowed me.”

“They are not just words. They’re words that I…I never thought…” Jefferson sat up now, but he didn’t quite meet Micah’s eyes. “I had hoped that you would return my feelings one day. But like so many things you have now given me, I didn’t dare expect it.”