Later that evening, after all four of them had gone out for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, Daniel lit a fire in the fireplace.

Zoe and Martin had gone up to the guest room to bed.

Daniel and Madison sat together on the sofa, beneath a down throw, with Fluffy curled up in Madison’s lap.

“We may have to get some more firewood if this cold weather keeps up,” Daniel said.

“It reminds you of home, huh?”

“It does remind me of home. It sounds like it’s snowing outside.”

Madison laughed. “Snowing? It doesn’t snow in Houston.”

“Never?”

“Well, on rare - very rare occasions, it has.”

“Let’s look,” he said.

“You look. I’m too tired to move.”

Daniel got up, peeked out the window, then opened the blinds and stepped back. “Snow,” he said, proudly.

“No way!” Madison said, but there it was. Snow. Not a lot. But little flakes floating downward.

Daniel rejoined her on the sofa. “Just like that night we spent at the inn,” he said.

“That was nice,” she agreed.

“I knew you were a city girl even then. And, just as you intimated, you have your cell phone, your television, and your internet going.”

“I know. It turns out I’m addicted to The Weather Channel and Fox News. If I could I would have both of them up on my TV at the same time.”

“You could have two TVs.”

“No, that would take the fun out of it.”

“You’re a strange woman, Madison McKivitz.”

“Thanks,” she said sarcastically.

“That’s one of the reasons why I love you.”

“You do?”

“It hasn’t changed since the first time I told you, unless it’s gotten stronger.”

“I didn’t know if you still would now that you know who I am.”

“I’ve always known who you are. Even if you didn’t,” he held her hand in his, kissed her fingertip. “Do you still love me?”

“More than ever,” she said.

“Then it sounds like we have something special going on.”

She looked at him and smiled. “I’d say we do.”

“I was going to wait and find the right time to do this,” he said, “but with it snowing, I don’t think a better time will present itself.”

“What?”

He got on his knees in front of her, took a small box from his pocket. Madison saw in the light of the fireplace that it was a blue Tiffany’s box.

As she watched, he opened it and there was the perfect diamond ring - platinum solitaire.

“Madison McKivitz,” he asked. “Will you marry me?”

She stared at him, her mind whirling with the possibilities.

They were from two different worlds - she and he. He was from the small town of Durango, Colorado where winter snow was a commonplace thing. He spent his days riding the train track, collecting tickets, guiding tourists.

She was from the city - one of the largest in the United States. She was used to fine restaurants and shopping at the Galleria and Nordstrom’s. She was a physician with lots of patients, even if she had just recently resigned that position.

She was used to the summer heat and winter snow was almost a miracle.

A miracle just like their love. That was one thing she was certain of. She loved Daniel Beaumont and he seemed to love her, too.

“Yes,” she said.

Then before she knew what was happening, the ring was on her finger and she was in his arms.

In his arms - where she hoped to spend the rest of her life.

“Looks like someone forgot to go to bed,” Martin said.

Madison jumped. Crap. She was still curled up on the sofa in Daniel’s arms.

“We must have fallen asleep,” she said to no one in particular. The fire was out cold. They’d burned up the last of the wood before falling asleep kissing.

“Looks like it,” her father said.

They untangled themselves and Daniel wiped his hands over his face. “Sorry,” he said to Madison.

“I can’t believe we didn’t wake up all night.”

“Don’t worry,” Martin said, “I’ll make the coffee.” Fluffy followed him into the kitchen, meowing at his feet. “And feed the cat,” he added.

“I’ll do it, Dad,” she said.

“I’ll jump in the shower,” Daniel said. “In case I get kicked out later.”

Martin laughed.

“I’m glad to see you two are getting along,” he said, after Daniel had gone into the bathroom.

Madison was staring at her hand as though for the first time.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, then noticed the ring on her finger. “Oh. I see. Come here,” he said, pulling her into a hug. “Are you happy?” he asked.

She nodded against his chest.

“This is what you wanted?”

She nodded again.

“Then I’m happy for you,” he said, and released her. “Have you talked about how this changes your plans?”

“No, we haven’t gotten that far.”

“You’ll figure it out.”

“She’ll figure what out?” Zoe asked, heading for the coffee mugs.

Madison exchanged a look with her dad. Decided not to tell her yet.

Zoe studied Madison. “There’s a look on your face,” she said. “There,” she pointed. “On your hand.”

Madison held her hand out for her mother. Zoe went to her and examined the ring. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “I told you it would work.”

“What would work?”

This time Madison exchanged a knowing look with her mother.

“Oh, nothing,” Zoe said. “Just girl talk.”

“Which is what frightens me,” Martin said.

All three of them took their coffee mugs and sat down at the kitchen table.

“Whatever you decide to do,” Zoe said. “We’ll support you. If you want to move to Durango, we’ll help you. You can use the condo. If you want to stay down here, that’s ok, too. You can even stay with us. Even though you’ve said you don’t want to. It all depends on when the wedding is.”

“Mom. Take a breath,” Madison said. “We have to talk it through and decide. We don’t know yet what we’re going to do.”

“Make sure it’s what you want to do, too.”

“It will be, Mom. I promise. Daniel is nothing like Timothy.”

“Thank God,” Martin and Zoe said in unison.

Daniel opened the door and peered out of the downstairs bathroom. “Is it safe to come out?” he asked.

Madison went to him and put her arms around him, and led him back to the kitchen.

Martin stood up and went to shake his hand.

“Welcome to the family, Son.”

Zoe hugged him.

Madison looked at them, with tears in her eyes.

All was right with the world.

A little later, Daniel looked over at Madison. He wasn’t sure which one of them was glowing more. Each time they glanced at each other, which was rather often, they would smile knowingly at each other. Knowing that they were about to embark on spending the rest of their lives together. They had some things to work out, of course, like where they would live. That was kind of a big one since they were from different parts of the country. But he knew they’d figure it out. She could practice medicine if she wanted to or she could just practice being his wife and the mother of their children.

They could live in Houston and visit Durango or they could live in Durango and visit Houston. He wouldn’t even mind if they had houses in both cities and split their time between the two. None of that mattered to him. It only mattered to him that they were together.

They would discuss it, of course, and come to a decision together. She could lead and he would happily follow.

He was content. He had his little elfin princess at his side.