Ivy pants and sobs. She looks beside her to see Jacob very much alive, and sound asleep. “Thank the Gods it was just a dream.” Carefully, not wanting to disturb him, she lays back down beside him so that they’re facing each other. She watches him for any sign he might be waking, then presses a gently kiss to his lips. “I love you.” With that, she falls into a peaceful sleep of good dreams. The kiss seems to have banished her nightmares.

Winter hangs up the phone and sighs. She looks upset and shakes her head. “It’s too late. If you object, then I won’t marry him, but it’s too late to call the wedding off. All of the services and the venue are prepaid for and the government office is expecting us. Apparently we get special treatment because we’re locally based celebrities.”