Epilogue
Seven months later
“IS MY TIE STRAIGHT?” Mac asked Katie. She turned to check it for him.
The woman, his woman, was resplendent in a frothy cornflower-blue dress that fit her body perfectly. She looked good enough to eat and he wasn’t sure he should let her go out in public. She was nothing short of a wild distraction.
After fiddling with his tie, she touched his cheek. “You’re so handsome.”
Mac wrapped his arms lightly around her, careful to keep from wrinkling her dress. “And you are a gorgeous creature who is sure to upstage the bride today.” He kissed her gently.
She gave him a sweet smile. “Trust me, when you see Mar in her wedding dress you’ll change your mind. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and I swear she’s almost glowing with happiness.” She glanced at the bedside clock in their hotel suite. “I need to get back to Mar’s room—it’s almost time. I just wanted to tell you I loved you.”
“Love you, too,” he said as he followed her out the door. He had to be down the hallway where the other groomsmen were waiting. He’d been honored when Jackson asked him to join the wedding party. The men had become great friends several months ago when he was helping Katie with one of her cases.
Mar had joined him the last two weeks of his stay, and in between their work they’d all spent a great deal of time together. Mac smiled as he entered the room where all the groomsmen had gathered. There were cigars and whiskey being passed around.
Yes, he’d fit in with her friends, and his friends thought she was just as amazing as he did. Their lives had blended quite easily.
He worried Katie had sacrificed too much and she’d eventually regret her decision, but it had been seven months, and, if anything, she was happier than she’d ever been. That made him happier than any man had a right to be.
He noticed Jackson wasn’t smoking or drinking.
Mac patted Jackson’s shoulder. “You doing okay? Nerves?”
Jackson smiled. “Nah, man. I’m just ready to marry the woman of my dreams.”
“All right, then, let’s do this thing,” Mac told him as he guided him out the door.
KATIE AND MAC STOOD in a large circle of guests as they watched the happy couple during their first dance. The moment made tears brim.
“Your eyes are about to leak again,” Mac warned, handing her a tissue. He’d kept a steady supply for her throughout the day.
She cleared her throat. “Allergies. I told you that.”
“Uh-huh.” He winked at her.
Mac knew her too well.
“They’re so happy. And you know the best part?”
“What’s that?” He took her in his arms.
“We have that, Mac. I didn’t think I’d ever find it, but I have it with you.”
Mac kissed her long and hard. He didn’t care what the other guests might think.
They parted and he lifted her left hand. “So has all this corny wedding stuff changed your mind? Can we finally set a date?”
The man never gave up. “You and my mother. I swear the two of you are conspiring together.” That wasn’t far from the truth. Her family had loved Mac as soon as they’d met him. They loved him even more when they heard he’d proposed to her.
Her mind drifted to that moment. He’d taken her to the greenhouse with her rosebush, and proposed to her there. It had been so meaningful. Her eyes had leaked profusely that day, too.
“Hey, we don’t have to talk about it tonight, hon. You know I’m just having some fun with you.”
She smiled at him and glanced at the ring on her hand. The sapphire was surrounded by two rows of diamonds. He’d picked a ring that suited her perfectly. “I’ll marry you tomorrow if you want.”
Confusion swarmed Mac’s face. “Really? That’s not just the wedding talking?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m serious, Mac. I’m ready. I’ve been ready, but you know me. I don’t like being pushed into things.”
Mac closed his eyes and squeezed her tightly. “My Katie.”
She loved it when he called her that.
“I want a winter wedding,” she said. “Simple, at my family’s church in the Bronx. Maybe we could even do it over Christmas break?”
Mac let out a whoop and twirled her around. The people around them laughed.
“So I guess that’s okay with you?”
He kissed her. “Yes. It’s your day, Katie. We’ll do it any way you want. As long as you become my wife, I don’t care about anything else.”
His wife. Those words sounded lovely to her.
And Mac would be her husband. Those words were even lovelier. He’d taught her how to love, and she owed him so much. She couldn’t imagine her life without him.
“There’s just one thing, though,” she murmured close to his lips.
He pulled back and eyed her cautiously. “What’s that?”
“You have to call my mom and tell her.”
Mac started laughing, and before long she had to pat his back.
“It’s not funny. I’m her only daughter and the woman loves weddings. You’re going to have to keep her in check.”
Mac caught his breath. “I think between your father, grandfather and me we can keep her in check. If that’s your only concern, I can handle it.”
Katie wasn’t sure he had any idea what he was in for, but she smiled at him.
Mac kissed her again. “I love you, Katie McClure.”
She sighed happily in his arms.
“I love you, too, Professor Douglas.”
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor, for what would be the first in a lifetime of dances.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8905-9
SHE WHO DARES, WINS
Copyright © 2011 by Candace Havens
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She Who Dares, Wins Page 17
