And didn’t that sound peachy? “Is she in danger?”

“Not to my knowledge. Tomorrow?”

“Send me a time and place. I’ll be there.”

“Thanks. Now I’m going to get some cake.”

Rafe watched Tom amble back to the table and give Mercy a kiss on the cheek. Irina took the cake knife and shooed Mercy away from the table to “keep Raphael company.”

“I’ve been dismissed,” Mercy said with a chuckle. “What was that about? You and Tom?”

“I don’t know,” Rafe answered honestly. “I asked him about Liza and he kind of blew me off.”

Her brow lifted. “I think we’re done with blowing things off and out.”

Rafe snorted. “Off, yes. Out, yes. Other blowing? Not a chance that we’re done.”

She lifted on her toes to peck his lips. “Cake’s good.”

“Did you get any?”

“I licked my fingers.” She demonstrated, sucking on all of her fingers, and he groaned.

“You’re killing me here, Mercy.”

“Good. You deserve it.”

She was looking up at him with unfettered . . . something. More than fondness. More than affection. It was time.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Her mouth fell open, then curved in a smile that was both wicked and sweet. “And I love you. I was wondering when I could tell you.”

“I kind of figured it out myself.” He set the plate on a countertop and cupped her cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here, Mercy Callahan. In this house and in my life.”

“I’m happy to be here. With you.”

They just smiled at each other, with no passionate kisses, no clawing at clothes. Just joy.

“Thank you,” he said. “For being willing to leave everything behind for me.”

She kissed him then, slow but chaste. “I left nothing behind. I added on, like your father said. But if it came down to either everything or you, I would have left it all behind.”

He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close, so that they leaned against the wall watching their families merge.

Mercy rested her head on his shoulder. “We are going to need to start Christmas cards soon.”

He looked down at her. “It’s June.”

She waved a hand at all the people. “Look at this list. I hope you have good penmanship, because I’m not writing all those cards myself.”

He wasn’t going to complain. “Together. We’ll do it together.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Sarah Hafer and Beth Miller for all the editing. Thank you for keeping track of all the cars, weapons, injuries, etc. You allow me to create accurate mayhem.

The Starfish for the plotting. Thank you!

Claire Zion, Jen Doyle, and Robin Rue for all your support, every step of the way. Thank you for loving my books and believing in me.

Martin Hafer for making sure I remember to eat and sleep while my brain is busily churning out the words, and for always reminding me that I “freak out every time, yet still manage to finish the book,” so I should “stop freaking out now.”