“If this new, fledgling family of yours is looking for extra members, I thought I might apply. I can give you my résumé if you like, but you’ll find I’m well qualified in certain aspects of child care including, but not limited to, rescuing soft toys from dangerous circumstances.”

In all her life she’d never known a feeling like this one. She didn’t know how to express everything in her head and her heart.

“I—Ryan—I don’t know what to say.”

“I want you to say yes to my question.”

“Did you ask me a question?”

“Not yet, but I’m about to.” He pulled his hand out of his pocket and handed her a box. “Will you marry me?”

Emotion swelled inside her, and her eyes filled. She opened the box and stared down at the sparkling diamond through eyes misted with tears.

“Ryan—”

“Will you trust me with Lizzy? Will you trust me with your heart? Can you do that?”

The cliff gave way beneath her feet, but instead of falling she was flying. “Yes.” The word was almost inaudible, so she said it again. “Yes. Oh, yes.”

And then he was kissing her, his mouth hard and demanding, his hands possessive and protective. Somewhere through the mists of passion, she heard the door opening, and she pulled away to see Lizzy peeping around the door with Agnes behind her.

“Can we come in, Ryan? Have you done it?”

Her hand still locked in the front of his shirt, Emily glanced up at him. “You told her to stay away?”

“I told her I had something important to ask you.”

“He said it was private.” Lizzy skipped across the room, and he scooped her up.

Watching the two of them together, Emily felt her heart flutter.

“Lizzy, we have something to tell you.”

“I already know.” She leaned her head against Ryan’s shoulder, blond curls brushing against dark. “Ryan loves us. I told you that in the hospital, but you didn’t believe me. Can we go and see the puffins again soon? Can we go sailing and eat waffles?”

“Yes.” Emily’s voice was muffled as Ryan pulled her close with his other arm. “Yes, we can do all those things.”

Agnes walked into the room, a smile on her face. “Tilly is on the phone. You called her about a rental, but I told her it was a mistake.”

Emily eased away from Ryan’s grip, wondering how she was supposed to focus on the practical when her head was spinning. “But Brittany is coming home, and I still need to find somewhere to live.”

She saw Ryan exchange a look with Agnes and smile.