Tara had had the hardest time dealing with Caleb’s actions thirty-three years ago. She had to know that it was only because of her arrival that Caleb and Bobbie had stayed together back then. Mac suspected that she had idolized her father, placed him on a pedestal that no mere human was worthy of, and it hadn’t been easy for her to learn that Caleb had flaws just like everyone else. But Mac believed the wounds would heal, again with time. Already Tara was making friendly overtures toward him, letting him know she held no grudges against him for what had been done to all of them so long ago. She was a strong and gracious woman, and she had a heart big enough to accept another brother once the bruises faded.
It was a strong family with
very close ties. They would survive this scandal, just as they had weathered so many other trials in the past.
“Did you notice how happy Annie looked that her mother came to her wedding?” Sharon asked, running a fingertip along the mantel as if looking for dust. “She wasn’t sure her mother would have the courage to defy her father, who disapproves so strongly of Annie’s marriage, but I could tell she was thrilled to see her there. Maybe that family is healing, as well. It’s important for families to learn to forgive and move on. To be together. I know I was glad to have my mother and Brad with me today, our family all together again to celebrate our friends’ good fortune.”
She wasn’t just talking about Annie Stewart’s family, of course, or her own. She was referring to the McBrides, as well—letting Mac know, as she had so many times before, that she believed it would all work out for the best. Her unflagging optimism was one of the things he admired most about her.
Changing the subject, she glanced up at the slowly turning ceiling fan. “They’ve done a wonderful job in here, haven’t they? And the rest of the house is really shaping up fast. It will be ready to put on the market in no time.”
“Do you think I would have any trouble selling it?” he asked, watching her closely.
“No.” She sighed wistfully. “I’m sure it will sell very quickly. It’s such a beautiful home.”
“Still lusting after it for yourself?”
She wrinkled her nose as he reminded her of that early conversation between them. “Don’t I wish.”
“Do you wish that, Sharon? Would you be happy living in this house?”
Her smile faded as she turned to him. “I’m not quite sure what you’re asking.”
He cleared his throat, oddly nervous now. “I’m asking if you’d like to live here. With me. In this house. As my wife.”
It wasn’t the most coherent proposal in history. Definitely not the most poetic. He’d probably just confirmed her earlier declaration that he had no appreciation for romance. But if sincerity carried any weight with her, it had come directly from his heart.
Apparently, earnestness was as touching to her as frills and flowers. Her eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t cry,” he ordered with quick male panic. And then added uncertainly, “Unless that’s a good thing, of course.”
She dashed at her cheek with one hand, smiling shakily. “That depends.”
“What do you mean? I just proposed to you.”
She stayed where she was, watching him with a puzzling air of expectancy.
“Well? Are you accepting or not?”
“I don’t know.”
He frowned at her. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Why don’t you know?”
“You haven’t told me yet why you’re asking.”
He sighed. Apparently, she was going to insist on the frills, after all. Once again, he spoke from his soul. “I’m asking you to marry me because I love you. I fell in love with you when I pulled you out of that river and I’ve fallen more in love with you every day since. I expect I’ll continue to fall harder every day I’m fortunate enough to spend with you in the future. I want you to be my friend, my partner, my lover, and the mother of my children. I will give you my absolute loyalty and undying affection in return. I will be a good son-in-law to your nice, ditzy mother, and a big brother and role model for Brad. I believe I have a lot to offer you, Sharon—but so much more to gain if you say yes.”
He’d started her tears flowing again, but he didn’t try to stop them this time. He’d figured out that they were, indeed, a good thing.
“You had me when you told me you love me,” she whispered. And then she threw herself into his arms.
“Is this a yes?” he asked, just to make sure.
“Yes. Definitely yes.”
He covered her mouth with his before she could change her mind.