Trapped by kindness, Shannon did what she was told. “It’s very generous. Thank you. I guess I’ll have that tea now, and gloat, before I finish the tour.”

“I’ll take you down. Maggie, Murphy?”

“We’ll be right along.” Maggie sent him a quick, silent signal, then waited until their footsteps faded away. She thought it best to say nothing for the moment and simply wrapped her arms around Murphy.

“She didn’t realize what she was saying,” Maggie began, “about having it shipped to New York.”

That was the worst of it, he thought, closing his eyes and absorbing the dull, dragging ache. “Because it’s automatic to her. The leaving.”

“You want her to stay. You have to fight.”

His hands fisted on her back. He could fight with those if the foe was flesh and blood. But it was intangible, as elusive as ghosts. A place, a mindset, a life he couldn’t grasp even with his brain.

“I haven’t finished.” He said it quietly, with a fire underneath that gave Maggie hope. “And neither, by Jesus, has she.”

He didn’t ask if she’d come back to the farm with him, but simply drove there. When they got out of the truck, he didn’t lead her into the house, but around it.

“Do you have to do something with the animals?” She glanced down at his feet. He wasn’t wearing his boots, but the shoes she knew he kept for church and town.

“Later.”

He was distracted. She’d sensed that all along the drive back from Ennistymon. It worried her that he was still brooding about what they said to each other at Loop Head. There was a stubborn streak under all those quiet waters, just as there was a flaming wave of passion always stirring under the surface. Already the panic was creeping up at the idea he might insist they talk about the dreams again.

“Murphy, I can tell you’re upset. Can’t we just put all this aside?”

“I’ve put it aside too long already.” He could see his horses grazing. He had a client for the bay colt, the one that was standing so proud just now. And he knew he’d have to give him up.

But there was some things a man never gave up.

He could feel the nerves in her hand, the tension in it that held the rest of her rigid as he drew her into the circle of stones. Then he let her go and faced her without touching.

“It had to be here. You know that.”

Though there was a trembling around her heart, she kept her eyes level. “I don’t know what you mean.”

He didn’t have a ring. He knew what he wanted for her—the claddaugh with its heart and hands and crown. But for now, he had only himself.

“I love you, Shannon, as much as a man can love. I tell you that here, on holy ground while the sun beams between the stones.”

Now her heart thudded, as much with love as with nerves. She could see what was in his eyes and shook her head, already knowing nothing would stop him.