An unfamiliar beeping woke Janie. She opened her eyes and didn’t recognize her surroundings. It took her a few seconds to remember she’d spent the night in Evan’s apartment. She sat up and rubbed the knots from her neck. His sofa was comfortable, but not for sleeping. Although he’d offered his bed in his absence, it seemed too intimate, so she’d opted for the couch.

Last night’s events rushed to her memory. As long as she lived, she’d never forget the sheer terror that had gripped her as she listened to the tornado pass. She wasn’t sure she’d ever hear a train again and not associate it with a tornado.

By God’s grace alone, there had been no fatalities that she’d heard of. She’d checked in with the neighbors whom she personally knew. Mr. Ford had suffered a broken leg, but his was the only injury. The Gadbys, whose home had been leveled, had been at a sports banquet when the twister hit. The Laughlins, whose house had also been destroyed as well, had sheltered in place at their church after choir practice when they’d heard the warnings.

One good thing had come from the disaster—reconciliation with Jared. After Ava’s mom had picked up her daughter, Jared had driven them to Evan’s apartment where the three friends had a long conversation. He’d apologized and admitted his words and actions had been driven by his own guilt regarding Mike’s death.

Today she had to face Evan and discuss whatever had prompted his breakup yesterday evening. She hadn’t had time to absorb what he’d said before the warnings blared, and then he’d come back. He’d shielded her and little Ava with his body, and later he’d said he loved her—not the actions of a man who wanted to end a relationship.

But what did he mean by blurting out that she was a natural mother and deserved that opportunity?

Nothing in her life ever came simply. Instead of lamenting that fact, she’d decided to embrace it and accept it as an opportunity to build her character.

Her phone vibrated, and she read the text message from Evan.

—Are you awake?

—Yes. Barely, but I am.

—Jared’s taking me to get a rental, and then I’ll be over.

—I’ll be here. She added a winking emoji followed by a laughing one. Even if she’d wanted to leave, she had no vehicle here to take her anywhere.

—See you in a bit. Help yourself to anything in the fridge. The coffee pot is pretty standard to operate.

—Thanks.

She dragged herself to her feet, unconvinced she hadn’t been hit by a train. Nope. Just listened to one roar by. Whether a result of the tension or sleeping on the sofa, she didn’t know. A hot shower sounded incredible. She carried her overnight bag to the bathroom.

While she waited for the water to turn hot, she set out her outfit and brushed her teeth. Steam formed on the windows, and she stepped into the shower stall, sighing happily at the hot droplets easing the strain from her body.

She stayed in until the water ran cold, then stepped out a new person. The aching muscles disappeared and the fog lifted from her brain. Ready to face the day, she dressed and headed for the kitchen.

Rummaging in the kitchen, she found the coffee, a brand he had shipped in from home, and a half-eaten box of cereal. While the coffee brewed, she poured the honey-flavored oats into a bowl and added milk.

By the time she’d eaten and cleaned the dishes, Evan still hadn’t shown up. Knowing car rentals could be a hassle, she didn’t worry. She turned on her tablet and scanned the news and social media for stories on the tornado. The headlines read National Weather Service confirms an EF-3 tornado touched down in Jacksonville.

Shivers shot down her spine. After witnessing the damage firsthand, and then viewing the posted pictures from friends and news agencies, she thanked God again for His protection, not only for her, but for her friends and neighbors, too.

A half hour after she sat down with her tablet, the doorbell rang.

“It’s me,” Evan called.

It struck her as funny that he rang his own doorbell instead of coming straight inside. She stood up and opened the door. “You didn’t have to ring the doorbell. This is your place.”

He shrugged. “But you’re the one who spent the night here. Seemed the respectful thing to do.”

“In that case, thanks.” She pointed toward the kitchen. “There’s plenty of coffee left.”

“I could use a cup.” He kissed her cheek before heading to the coffee. “The good news is, I got the last car on the lot. The bad news is, they charged an exorbitant rate because of the demand.”

“That’s terrible of them.”

“No doubt, but I didn’t want to risk leaving and going somewhere else, then not getting a vehicle at all.” He scowled. “You can be sure I won’t use them again, though. Their greed will cost them in the long run.”

“What’s Jared doing this morning?”

“Working. The CO called everyone in. They’re going to organize cleanup crews for the damage on base, and for the Marines whose homes were damaged.”

She fixed another cup of coffee for herself and went to the sofa. The blanket and pillow rested neatly on the center cushion.

Evan sat on the far-right side. “How’d you sleep?”

“Not too bad.”

He chuckled. “Code for not good.”

“Too much on my mind, and when I did drift off I had bizarre dreams.” Nightmares—of him being ripped away by a tornado, of babies swirling in the sky. Everything from last night had combined in her head to create scenes worthy of horror movies.

“I’m sorry.” He held his cup to his mouth and inhaled before taking a sip. His lips twisted in a worried frown. “About last night…there’s something I have to tell you—something we should have discussed before we started a relationship.”

She sensed his need for support. “Nothing can change how I feel about you.”

“Hear me out first, please. You might change your mind.” He glanced down at his leg and rubbed it in an unconscious movement. Sucking air into his chest before slowly exhaling, He twisted his hands in a circular motion. “My bad leg wasn’t the only repercussion from the crash. The doctors told me—um, they said, barring some miracle…” She could see him gathering strength with another deep breath. “I’d never have children of my own making.”

She realized after a moment that she was staring at the floor. “So that’s what you meant.” She paused long enough to gather her thoughts, aware that he was freaking out inside while she did so. The news surprised her, but made no impact on her desire for a future with him. She patted his hand to calm him through her hesitation.

She’d always wanted a child of her own, but Evan meant more to her than that dream. And adoption remained an option, didn’t it? “Many couples have happy, thriving marriages without having children.”

“But you’re a natural mom. When I saw you with Ava last night, I knew I wasn’t being fair to you.” His voice filled with emotion and selflessness, however misconstrued.

That he’d broken up with her out of a sense of duty, not because he’d wanted to, helped erase the hurt she’d felt. “What about adoption? I would think with your history, you’d be open to it.”

“Of course I would be.” His eyes widened like he was surprised she’d had to ask. “My parents gave me and Kate a great life, and I never felt less than their child in any way. I’d love to give another child that same opportunity.”

She pursed her lips, confused. “If that’s how you feel, why are we having this discussion?”

“Because both partners have to be on board with adoption, and I’d be asking you to give up the experience of pregnancy.”

Reaching over the folded blanket between them, she grabbed his hand. “I love you, and if that means we build our family through adoption, then so be it. Your family is a testimony that love’s capacity exceeds biology.” She took his face in both her hands. “You keep saying I was born to be a mom, but you were also meant to be a dad. Look how you automatically shielded Ava and me last night, without a thought to your own safety.”

Hope flickered in his eyes. “Do you mean that? If you need to take time to give it more thought, I understand. It’s not a sacrifice to take lightly.”

She released his face in frustration, took a deep breath, and took his hands gently in hers. “Loving you isn’t a sacrifice. Relationships aren’t about what each individual brings or doesn’t bring, but about what we can do together. The only thing standing in the way of us being together is—well, it’s your pride.”

He flinched, then smiled. “I guess I deserved that.”

“Yes, you did, knucklehead.”

Evan laughed. “I haven’t heard that name in forever.”

“Well, it seems to fit at the moment—and it’s what your sister called you.” She shook a finger at him. “And next time you think about breaking up with me, try talking to me first.”

“I promise.” He turned his hands to entwine his fingers with hers. “But there won’t be a next time. I’m not letting you go.”

“I like the sound of that.”