“You saw her jump on me and kiss me. I had no idea she was coming. I didn’t want her there, and I certainly didn’t want to kiss her.” Mac took hold of Maddie’s arm to keep her from walking away. “The only one I want to kiss is you, and you know that. I told her I’m involved with someone else and sent her back to Miami on the first boat.”

Maddie’s beautiful eyes widened with surprise. “You said that even though we broke up?”

“That hasn’t changed how I feel about you. Nothing could.” He skimmed his fingers over her arm, gratified when she shivered. “I miss you. I miss everything about you.”

Her eyes fluttered closed.

He caressed her cheek, reveling in the soft skin he’d yearned for, and rested his forehead against hers. “You’re the only one I want, Maddie,” he whispered. “The only one I’ll ever want. I’m sorry I hurt you. I never meant for that to happen.”

She leaned into him. “I know that now.”

“Marry me, Maddie. I can’t live without you and Thomas.”

“Mac. . .”

“Just say yes.”

She studied him just long enough for Mac to realize his whole life had led to her and this moment.

“Yes.”

Shocked, he stared at her. “Really?”

“I have conditions.”

“Whatever you want.”

“You don’t want to hear them?”

“Later.” Even though he was dying to kiss her, he only held her, drowning in the scent of summer flowers and the feel of silky hair. Overwhelmed with relief, he swallowed the huge lump in his throat. “There’s something I need to show you. Can you and Thomas come with me? Is he asleep?”

“Not yet. He’s still chattering in his crib.”

“So will you come?”

“Okay.”

Mac loaded them into the truck and headed to the south end of the island, past Dominic’s and the Hydrangea House Bed & Breakfast, taking a right onto Sweet Meadow Farm Road.

Sitting between them in his backward-facing car seat, Thomas gripped Mac’s finger so tightly that Mac wondered if the baby was afraid to let go.

“Where are we going?” Maddie asked.

“You’ll see.” The paved road changed to gravel about halfway down. I’ll need to get a plow for the truck before it snows, Mac thought. He took the final turn, and the house came into view. “What do you think?”

“Oh, it’s beautiful! Whose is it?”

“Ours.”

She gasped. “It is not! Don’t make jokes like that, Mac!”

“Who’s joking?” He laughed at her as he parked. “Come check it out.” Before he got out, he reached under the seat for an envelope that he stashed in his back pocket.

Maddie got Thomas out of his car seat and met Mac in front of the truck.

As he wrapped his hand around hers, he felt a tremble go through her.

“What do you think?”