Chapter 28

WE walk outof the study and Dean escorts me through to the back stairs and up to his room so that Martha won’t see us and engage in conversation. All we want is to be alone.

I’m still shocked after discovering Rose is still alive, having been living all these years as Eliza.

“Mack, come and lie down. You look drained.”

I move over to Dean and wrap my arms around his waist. “Don’t let go.”

He picks me up in his arms and carries me to his bed. “I don’t intend to.”

He lays down on the bed with me cradled in his arms. “I love you, Dean,” I whisper before falling asleep.

* * *

As I start to wake,I forgot where I am and why, but I certainly recognize the body holding me.

I smile, feeling full of joy, knowing that Rose hasn’t died and has lived a long life. Seventy years with the love of her life, Jacob. I don’t know how to break the news to Thomas, but hopefully, he won’t be that upset, now that he has his beloved sister back and her husband. He’s gained a large family as well from what Dean has already told me about his relations.

I wrap my arms around a sleeping Dean and kiss his chest. “I’m so thankful that you took the trip to meet me in Cape Elizabeth the day that I spoke with Martha, rather than ignoring the call,” I whisper.

“So am I.”

I lift my head and meet Dean’s eyes. “I didn’t know you were awake.”

“Been lying here awhile, thinking about everything that’s happened today, and since I met you. I wouldn’t change any of it.” He gently squeezes me.

He slides slightly down so his face is level with mine, then smooths my hair back from my eyes. He uses his finger to trace my eyebrows, down my lightly freckled nose, and to my lips before he caresses them. I open my mouth slightly.

“Marry me, Mack,” he blurts.

I freeze.

“I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that,” he admits, sheepishly, before he continues, “I love you. Right from the first day, Mack. I don’t want to lose you.” He sees the tears swimming in my eyes. “I know we haven’t known each other long. We can even have a long engagement. I just want to know you’re mine.”

I give a tear-filled laugh. “Yes.”

He smiles and gently caresses my face as I watch the nerves from a few minutes ago starts to dwindle, and are replaced with a deep yearning.

Reaching into his pocket, he produces a very special ring, and taking hold of my left hand, he slides it slowly down my finger while he holds my gaze. “My grandmother took me out of the room to give me this ring. She said it was the ring my grandfather gave her seventy years ago. It had belonged to my great-grandmother.”

He takes a minute to get his emotions in check before he continues, “She took it off her finger, Mack, to give it to me. She said it had never once left her finger, and that she wanted me to give it to you because she saw the love we have for each other. She also thought it was fitting for the woman who returned her brother to her to wear it.” He leans in and kisses my lips ever so gently.

I have no idea what to say. I’m touched beyond words that Eliza gave her engagement ring to Dean for me. No wonder Dean had been all choked up telling me what his grandmother said.

“Let me look.” He raises my hand so we both can admire his grandmother’s ring. The square cut diamond is set in platinum and surrounded with small sapphires. He kisses my finger. “It looks amazing, and it’s a perfect fit.”

“Yes, it does, and I think it’s a good omen that it fits perfectly. Hopefully, we’ll have seventy plus years together as well.”

“I hope so. I think we need to celebrate.”

I feel much better as I move from the bed and stand to the side. I smile at a surprised Dean. I start to unfasten my blouse and place it on the chair to the side, and then I remove my skirt, all the time holding Dean’s gaze.

I give him my back and slide my panties down my legs, kicking them toward the chair, followed by my bra. I can hear Dean’s breathing change, as the bed moves slightly, I turn toward him, only to discover Dean yanking his clothes off, and letting them fly any which way.

I laugh and give him a wicked grin. “Mmm, you look good enough to eat.”

He groans with laughter. “You’re going to kill me, Mack.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” I reply, and crawling across the bed on my hands and knees toward a very aroused Dean.