Tom stopped in his tracks. Emma and Maria, the only other native English speakers, sat in the dining area, so whoever was in the kitchen was not looking to be overheard and neither person had a North American accent. He couldn't recall seeing Prae recently.

"—in the city and I am living here. It's a nice idea and a kind gesture, but you must understand it cannot work," a man said.

"I will not be there forever. But right now, it is best for my career," Prae said.

Tom paused, not recognizing the man's voice. He didn't want to intrude in case they could resolve things, and he wasn't ready to return to Maria empty-handed.

"I want a wife, a mother for my children, not a career woman. Perhaps in the city, you can be both, but I do not want that. Imagine how that would look."

"That's not fair!" Prae's voice grew firmer. "I attended school as long as you did. I have worked just as hard. Why do I have to give that up?"

"You could cozy up to one of the farang men like your friend. They are used to women like that, although many like traditional wives who tend to their homes from what I have heard." Tom's fists clenched. He was ready to deck this guy on both Prae and Maria's accounts. Who the hell did he think he was telling Prae what she could do with her life?

"But you have lived abroad and in the city; you understand there is more than just a simple village life. How can you still feel this way? We've been close for many years."

"Then what I am looking for should not surprise you."

The man rounded the corner quickly, dismissing Tom with a glance and returning to his parents. Tom found Prae gripping the counter and wiping away a few tears. She stiffened as the floorboards creaked beneath his steps. Her shoulders relaxed when their eyes met.

"Sorry, the onions are still very strong." She fanned her face.

"He's an asshole, Prae. I didn't have to hear the entire conversation to know that."

Her voice came out as a whisper. "Asshole or not, he is the only man who has made any romantic proposal to me in two years." She ran a trembling hand through her hair.

Tom found that hard to believe, as she was beautiful and single men filtered through staff yearly. Although, she had said romantic and enough guys shared Mitch's mentality with women. Plus, she probably wanted a man who'd stay in Thailand, not fly back home in a couple of years.

"What if he is right?" Prae's eyes were still teary.

"It's better to be alone a little longer than forced into a life you don't want."

"Many Thai men think like he does."

"Then find a man who doesn't."

Prae leaned on the counter and gazed out the window. The moonlight brightened the strands of hair she'd pulled back with a fancy silver clip to match her teardrop earrings. "What if I am old when I meet him, too old for children? When I have a family, I want my daughters to look at their mother and see a life beyond their home. My job is not more important, but it is also part of who I am."

Her words made him want to search the country for a man with enough sense to realize that this was a woman worth holding onto. A driven, compassionate role model with strong values.

"That's very admirable. You'll find that, and sooner than later. You've got plenty of time." Prae gave him a forced smile then turned back to the window. Her sad eyes made his skin prickle. "Any man who doesn't appreciate your amazing passion and drive is an idiot." Her smile grew more sincere.

"Thank you, Tom. I hope to meet someone half as kind and generous as you are, one day."

His chest blossomed with a warmth he needed to share. "You look stunning tonight."

Prae's lips twisted into a frown, sending his stomach to his feet. She turned away for a second before wrapping her arms around Tom. He rocked her back and forth slowly until she stopped shaking. With her warm body on his, he couldn't even remember why he'd come into the kitchen. Prae pulled away and hugged her sweater to her torso.

"Thank you for coming for New Year. I don't know what I would have done without you. I didn't think you would be the one I keep bothering with my problems."

The way she fiddled with her sleeves made him want to hold her again until her nerves vanished. "I'm always around, even in Bangkok, if you need someone to bother."

Prae laughed. "Usually Maria or Aom are..."

Tom's eyes widened. Maria and her wine and fish! How could he forget about her?

"Sorry, is there any fish left?" Tom asked.

Prae helped make him up a plate and find another stash of the popular rice wine. She assured him she'd be alright and that he should get back to Maria. Tom worried about Maria's reaction, but she sat on the floor next to Emma and one of Prae's adult cousins chatting away. She smiled when Tom approached.

"Did you catch one in the pond and prepare it yourself?" Maria joked as she took the plate and cup.

"Lost track of time speaking with Prae."

Maria's eyes drifted over to her friend's downcast face as she said her goodbyes to the asshole and his family, who had decided to leave. Maria frowned. "She alright?"

"She will be." His eyes darted around the table of relatives. "I'll tell you about it later when it's quieter or she might."

By the time most of Prae's extended family had left or retired to the overcrowded guest bedrooms, Maria was sleeping on Tom's right shoulder, and Emma had curled up against his left side. It was one way to beat the mountain's chill, but his bladder was complaining. He sneaked away without waking them.

When he returned, Maria stood by a big, partially open window, gazing at the stars. He wondered if they were a good sign for romance or a painful memory for her.

"Isn't it spectacular?" she asked. "A reward for the country insomniacs."

Tom grabbed a blanket off the corner of the couch without waking the middle-aged man sleeping there.

"The best views are from outside." He wrapped the blanket around her bare shoulders, and they exited the back door.

"You must know a lot about the stars, being a science teacher."

"Be careful, if I let my inner geek out, there's no telling when I'll stop."

"Geek is the new sexy."

He wanted to kiss her, but if he acted too hastily, she'd think that was the only reason he brought her outside. She leaned her head against his shoulder as he spewed out facts he'd learned from watching far too many documentaries at all hours of the night. The births, life spans and epic deaths of the stars; their impact on the planet and other stars; and even a bit on the recent space missions.

"You are well-informed," she said with a cheeky grin.

Damn, he should have tried to kiss her before he'd embarrassed himself. Tom laughed. "Code for you've spent a lot of time alone, and I regret what I said earlier."

"It's cute how into it you are, and a passionate man is attractive. I'd much rather you care about stars than trying to get the world to stop eating meat one rant at a time."

"So I'm a better fit for you than your ex." It unsettled him that she thought about him so often, but he was guilty of the same about Mackenzie.

Maria chuckled enough that the blanket slipped off her shoulder. He replaced it with his arm. "Rabies-infected rats are a better fit for me than my ex."

"I see the bar is high."

She entwined her hand with his, rubbing her thumb over the back of his hand. "I'm excited I gave this a shot. I wasn't sure in the beginning, but you're a great guy, much better than the rats."

Tom chuckled. "I can only hope."

Maria smiled and leaned closer, eyes closing. Was this it? A little banter and they'd have their first kiss, chatting about rabies and rats? She'd stopped coming toward him and waited, eyes still closed. What was wrong with him? He'd wanted this since he'd first met in that 7-11, and he'd boldly yet awkwardly given her his number. The rice wine must have been slowing his responses.

He reached out to cradle her jaw in his hand and leaned in. His heart raced as he pressed his lips to hers. The kisses were slow, almost hesitant as if either might not come back for a second, but she kept returning with more intensity. The memory of her body pressed against his at the falls crossed his mind, as did the wonder if they could recreate something similar. He accidentally nipped at her lip, and she smiled during the next kiss. He tried it again until she moaned his name in a husky voice his memories would never do justice. After he tucked her hair behind her ear, he switched to kissing the smooth skin on her neck. Maria ran her fingers through his hair, guiding him back to her lips after a minute. He kissed her until they came up for air, both flushed and out of breath.

"That was... wow," he breathed.

Her dark hair shined in the moon's light and her lips wore a smile that was a hundred times as attractive as the last one, knowing he'd put it there.

"It was pretty wow. Want to watch the stars?" Maria asked, fanning the blanket she clutched out like bat wings.

"That sounds perfect."

He grinned and helped her lay the blanket out on the grass. As she snuggled into his chest, a content feeling settled through him. He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head.

"How about I take you on a proper date when we get back? Not that this hasn't been great," Tom said.

Maria cuddled closer. "I'd love that. I like eating, especially soups and curries or at markets, exploring new places, and will freak out if you take me somewhere expensive and try to pay. Don't tell sober Maria, I told you this."

Tom laughed. He knew most of that already, but the food part could be handy. "What else can you tell me about sober Maria?"

"She needs to lighten up."

He chuckled, "I think I can help with that." He threaded his fingers through hers and brought her hand to his lips. She pulled her hand away to press her lips to his once more. A long, lingering kiss. Clearly, she didn't regret what had gone on between them, which reassured him, especially as she mentioned not being sober.

"Sweet dreams, Tom." Maria's eyes fluttered closed.

He didn't need dreams tonight; he already had everything he wanted in his arms. "Sweet dreams, Maria."