Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Finn looked stunned. “I don’t know what to say, Roman.”
“Say yes. We’ll agree on dates and move forward. I assume all is peaceful again in your territories?”
“Yes.”
“Great. Your men can handle things, and we’ll only step in if needed. Aldo will be here in case your management requires him, and you can take Una and Anna to Ireland. Whisk them to a castle or some other place. Indulge them. Indulge yourself. We’ll handle things here.”
“We’ll return the favor if ever needed.”
“It’s a gift, not a favor, but we’ll keep it in mind.” He stood, extending his hand. “Agreed?”
We took turns shaking hands. “Agreed.”
Una and Anna were baking cookies when we returned to the suite. I inhaled the scent of sugar and chocolate as we walked in. I bent and kissed Anna. “You look better,” I murmured.
Every day, she got a little stronger. Less pale and tense-looking. I was hoping the news we were about to share would make her smile.
“This is a treat,” I added, taking a cookie. “Delicious too.” I bit into the warm dough.
Finn hummed around his mouthful, as pleased as I was to see them looking happy and relaxed.
“I have some good news,” he announced.
“Do tell,” Una said, sliding the cookies into a canister.
He explained Roman’s offer, and I watched Anna carefully to see her reaction.
“I’ve never been to Ireland,” she said, clasping her hands. “Really?” She turned to me. “We could see your mum? I could meet her?”
They had spoken on the phone. FaceTimed as well. Mum already loved her, and I knew she’d be thrilled to meet her and welcome her to the family officially.
I nodded. “The best part is she could come back with us to be here for Finn’s wedding.”
Una clapped her hands in glee. “That is perfect!”
“We’ll spend time with Roisin and do a little traveling alone,” Finn said. “Roman is giving us three weeks.”
“Can we see London? I’ve always wanted to see London,” Una asked, her eyes bright with excitement.
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close and kissing her. “Yes.”
I looked at Anna, already knowing she wouldn’t want to be in a big city. “What about you?” I asked quietly. I had an idea, and I made a suggestion. “Would a quiet place in the country suit you?”
“Yes,” she sighed. “I’d prefer that.”
“I’ll make the arrangements.”
“When do we leave?”
“A week.”
Una grabbed Finn’s hand. “We have so much to do! We need to start planning.”
He grabbed another cookie on the way out. I turned to Anna, opening my arms, smiling as she nestled into my chest, her head pressed into her favorite spot.
“We’ll go and find some quiet spot to relax in,” I promised, already knowing the place. “You can recover, and I’ll be right beside you.”
She looked up, her eyes bright. “Loving me.”
I bent and kissed her.
“Always.”
THE FINAL CHAPTER
NIALL
I woke, my hand searching for Anna. Her side of the bed was empty, and I sat up, listening. She wasn’t in the bathroom. I shrugged on my robe and headed to the living room. She was standing in front of the window, looking outside, her forehead pressed against the glass.
I walked up behind her, pulling her into my arms. “You were gone.”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Nervous about flying?” She had never been on a plane. Never left the province.
“A little.”
“It’s private. No strangers. Only us.”
“I know.” She smiled softly. “And the newlyweds.”
Finn hadn’t been able to wait. He’d married Una in a private ceremony on his terrace, with Anna and me as witnesses. He insisted he’d waited for too long already, and Una didn’t object. They still planned a party in Ireland and another when we came home. But that moment, that day, was for them. They married at dawn, then disappeared for the next thirty-six hours. Finn appeared at his desk after lunch, looking like Finn, except with a contented, happy expression. And a wide gold band on his left hand.
We had put the trip off for two more weeks, wanting Anna healed and to make sure everything was covered here. I had been counting the days.
I searched my brain. “What is making you so nervous, then?”
She sighed, and I held her tighter. “Tell me. Let me fix it.”
She met my eyes in the glass. “You always want to fix it.”
“Yes.”
“What if, once she meets me, your mum doesn’t like me?”
I barked out a laugh. “Impossible. She was so happy about Finn and Una. When I told her about you, she was beside herself. You’ve talked to her. Several times. FaceTimed her. She is crazy about you already.” I bent and kissed her neck. “You love her son. You make him so happy, she couldn’t help but love you.”
“It’s so fast. What if she…” Anna shrugged. “Once she meets me, she might change her mind.”
“Impossible,” I repeated. “She will love you even more. She is so excited. Finn and Una married, me bringing home the woman I love—” I stopped speaking. “No, wait.”