Digging her nails into her palm, she forced herself to continue. "I’ve missed you, Joe Menotti." Her voice quavered.
Joe examined her with a faintly amused smile.
She flung out her hands in a helpless gesture. "You’ve been the one all along," she said simply. "You were constantly in my thoughts, even when I was with Shawn."
With a whimper she moved into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Why didn’t you tell me what he was like?"
Joe stroked her long hair as she nestled against his shoulder. At last he spoke. "You had to discover what Shawn was like for yourself. No one can tell you what to believe, Laura. You know that."
A hot tear coursed down her cheek. Joe was only comforting her — still the big brother. Why did she always have to ruin things? Joe had loved her once. She knew he had. She lifted her head, gazing into his face, teardrops sparkling on her eyelids.
His lean handsome face and the small smile hovering about that firm mouth was almost more than she could bear.
"I love you, Joe," she said in a voice husky with emotion.
Gently he traced her lips with his slender fingers. "I’ve waited a long time to hear you say that." Suddenly his dark head lowered and he tenderly kissed her.
"Joe," she whispered against his lips as his arms tightened around her. Once again their lips touched. How could she ever have doubted his love?
"I’m sorry I was such a fool," she admitted, sniffling.
"Laura Mitchell! Do you know what you just called yourself? A fool!" He grinned, and his even, white teeth flashed in the dim light. "I’m going to savor that phrase because I know I’ll never hear it again. Tomorrow you’ll be back to being independent Laura — just the way I love you!"
I’ve wasted all this time, she thought, reproaching herself, but now at last she knew Joe was the only one for her! He had always been here, and she had been blind to his warmth and consideration and love. I’m so lucky, she thought, for Joe actually loved her. Her heart thundered as she again nestled within the circle of his arms.
Laughter danced in his eyes, and his arms tightened around her waist. "Laura, darling," he murmured softly in her hair.
She had loved Joe in the past, she loved him now, and she would always love him. She gazed at him solemnly as if pledging this love.
Once more Joe’s dark head bent to kiss her.
"Tomorrow night I’m the one who is going to take you dancing," Joe said firmly.
Laura moved a little out of his arms. "There’s a suffragist rally tomorrow night, Joe. I want to be there. I have to," she said, worried about his reaction.
Joe threw his head back and laughed. "All right, my darling Laura. Then we’ll go together. Any objection to that?"
Laura thought she had never been happier in her whole life. "The women will welcome you with open arms, but no one more than I will."
As Joe kissed her, she knew she would love this man forever.
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Note: On August 26, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment was accepted by three-quarters of the states, giving women the right to vote.