“We will.” She laughed into his eyes. “We’re both blunt and cantankerous. You don’t want me for my money, do you?”

“It’s the only strike against you.”

“But can you live with it?”

He laughed. “I can handle it.”

She held his hands and stood back from him, just looking at him and smiling. “Well. I think I’m going to like San Diego.”

“I’d come to Boston.”

“I know you would. But I’m looking forward to the change. It’ll be good. No one really knows me here, and with the new foundation...there’s so much work to be done.”

There wasn’t even the slightest question in her eyes that he would—or should—mind that she was a compulsive worker. He liked that. He grinned at her. “Do you suppose you can break for Christmas?”

“Oh, longer than that. It’ll take months to work out all the details for the foundation. I’m just thinking and planning.”

“Does that mean you’re free for dinner?” he asked, pulling her toward him.

“Yes, but if you already have plans—”

“I can include you in them.” His arms encircled her waist, and he smelled the light scent of her. “You’re wonderful. I love you.”

She kissed him lightly. “Good.”

“I’m supposed to be at the annual family Christmas Eve dinner in thirty minutes. Think you can be ready?”

“Jeremy—”

“It’s all right.” He held her tightly and was unable to understand how he had tolerated the bleak weeks without her. “My father’s dying to meet you, and you’ll love my mother. I’ll call and have them set an extra place.”

“You’re sure they won’t mind?”

“Of course not.”

“It’ll be just family?”

“Us and the Stevenses. We get together every year.” He saw the cloud come over her face. “Ashley, it’s all right. Mac wants to see you.”

She looked pained. “But after everything that’s happened...I wouldn’t want to spoil his Christmas. And Elaine—”

“Ashley—good God. Every day Mac asks if I’ve heard from you. Every day I see the pain in him, the longing just to know you. And Elaine—she knows you and David are a part of Mac, and she’s too secure in her love for him and too sure of herself to be threatened by you.” Jeremy sighed, wanting desperately to make her understand. “Ashley...they want to know you.”

The cloud vanished, and she couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “Give me a few minutes to get ready.”

On Christmas morning, Mac stopped by the little house in Coronado. Ashley had put away her maps and her charts and her papers and was having a late brunch with Jeremy on the deck. They hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. It was a wonderful Christmas, she thought. She had never been so happy.

When he saw Mac, Jeremy made an excuse to go inside, leaving them alone. Mac sat across from Ashley.

For a man so strong and intelligent and handsome, he seemed awkward and ill at ease.

“Good morning,” she said with a smile. “Merry Christmas.”