by Day Leclaire
"On top of which, you were exhausted."
She didn't deny it. "I couldn't handle any more emotional upsets. I had the energy to fight for Nick—"
"But not for yourself?"
"No," she admitted.
"Dammit, Meg. What I don't understand is why you left."
Her hands fisted in his shirt. "It was the hardest thing I've ever done. After we made love, I had to get away. I'd done exactly what I'd sworn I wouldn't."
"Fallen in love again?"
She bowed her head. "Yes."
"Didn't it occur to you that I'd fallen in love, as well?" A hint of an accent betrayed the depth of his emotions. "Don't you understand, bella mia? What we have is eternal, enduring. Even when I didn't remember falling in love with you that March, even when every bit of logic and reason told me I was making a mistake because it was your sister I must love and that my feelings for you were a reflection of what I felt for her, I still couldn't resist you. Doesn't that tell you anything?"
"It took me a while longer than you to reach that same conclusion. All I knew was that I'd lied to you and when you found out who I really was and how I'd put Nick in harm's way, it would kill your feelings for me. And then there was the cabin." She glanced around, a hint of sadness darkening her expression. “There were loose ends I had to tie up here."
"What sort of loose ends?"
"Half of it belonged to Lauren. She died owing a stack of medical bills."
Alessandro winced. "The bill collectors are forcing a sale?"
"Yes." She shrugged. "It doesn't come as a surprise. I knew before I left that it was only a matter of time before they took it away from me."
"What about all your critters?"
"I'll bring the ones I can and leave the rest. Someone else will have the joy of them."
He let it go for now. Next week, he'd make a few phone calls. Removing the chain from around his neck, he freed his mother's ring. "I've always wondered why I never offered this to Rhonda. After I met you I understood. Deep down I knew she wasn't the woman destined to wear it." He slid the band onto Meg's finger. "I gave this to you once before. This time I'm hoping it'll find a permanent home. Will you many me, Meg? For real?"
She smiled tremulously. "Beneath an oak tree on a balmy spring day?"
"Not a chance. This is New Year's Eve and as I recall, North Carolina doesn't have a waiting period. What do you say to starting this next year off the right way? The only way. With you as my wife."
She flung her arms around him, smothering his face with kisses. "Yes, yes, yes. I'll marry you. Today, if it's possible."
He pulled back, frowning. "What? No tears?"
"Why in the world would I cry?" she asked in utter bewilderment. "I'm happy not sad."
"I haven't noticed that minor detail stopping you before." He smiled in sheer contentment. "You have to be the cryingest woman I've ever known.”
"Don't be ridiculous, Alessandro," she retorted, wiping her cheeks. "If there's one thing you can count on, it's that I never cry."
EPILOGUE
The first day of spring...
"I’M NOT sure I want to come here.” Meg fussed. "It will make me too sad."
“It won't make you sad. You'll be happy to see the old place."
"No. I think I'll be sad." She slanted him a quick, warning look. "It may even make me cry."
"I don't doubt that for a minute."
Alessandro pulled up outside the Williams's cabin and breathed a sigh of relief. So far, so good. In the months since he'd saved the place from the auction block, it had been a hive of activity, though keeping Meg blissfully unaware of that fact had proven something of a challenge, particularly considering the number of long-distance phone calls she'd intercepted from various contractors.
All in all, they'd done an excellent job, replacing the roof, restaining the shake siding, as well as updating the electrical and plumbing. The work had given the cabin a much-needed facelift without destroying the rustic charm. From where he sat, he could see the addition they'd made to the bathroom, expanding it to include a whirlpool tub. He couldn't wait to see Meg's face when she discovered it.
And then there was one final surprise he'd planned for his wife. A small one. One he hoped she'd like.
Spending each spring at the cabin would be the start of a new tradition, he decided, one he and Meg would continue for the rest of their lives. She emerged from the back of the car having freed Nick from his car seat, her silver-blond hair attractively rumpled. It was a bit longer now, drifting in silky layers over her ears.
"Do you think the owners will mind if we just drop in out of the blue?" she asked nervously.
He emerged from the car and joined her. "They won't mind in the least."
"I don't know how you can say that."
"I can say it because of this." He dangled a set of keys in front of her nose. "Consider it a belated wedding gift.”
It took a minute for her to understand. And then it took her three starts to get the question out. "You bought the cabin?" Her voice broke on the last word. "For me?"
He cupped her hand and placed the keys safe and secure in the hollow of her palm. So much of his life resided there, held safely within her tender hold. “For us, my love. For our children and our grandchildren." He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "It's important that they're familiar with their roots, don't you think?"
Her powder-blue eyes glittered with tears and a tremulous smile spread across her face. Before she could say anything, he turned her toward the cabin and gave her a gentle nudge. He waited for her to spot the change, waited with keen anticipation for her reaction.
And then she saw it.
Spread in a dense carpet as far as the eye could see were thousands of purple crocuses, all blooming as though in anticipation of Meg's arrival. It was a fitting tribute to Lauren, he decided, quietly satisfied. If it hadn't been for the promise she'd extracted, he might never have known his current joy. Slowly, Meg set Nick on the ground and for a minute he thought her knees would buckle. He started for her at the same instant she whirled to face him. Then she was running, leaping into his arms and covering his face with kisses.
"Thank you, oh, thank you, Alessandro." She burst into tears. "You've made me the happiest woman on earth."
He took the tears in stride. After all, when you were married to the happiest—not to mention the cryingest—woman on earth, you got used to them. "You're welcome, bella mia."
Home is where the heart is, she'd told him repeatedly. Never had the words held such a ring of truth. Emotions filled him, strong, healthy, ungoverned emotions. Emotions he'd never again have trouble expressing.
He laughed out loud. "You know I'm always happy to give you something to cry about."
