“Oh.” She shut her eyes. “I like hearing that.”

“Then tell me you will.” He took her arms until she opened her eyes again. “It’s my last swing, Zoe. Marry me.”

“I—” Yes. She wanted to say yes. “It’s not just me, Coop.”

“You think I don’t want the kid? God, open your eyes. I’m crazy about him. I fell for him before I fell for you. I want to marry both of you, then maybe have another kid or two so I can start out on the ground floor. We already worked that out.”

“You— Who did what?”

He swore, stepped back and shrugged. “I kind of ran it by the kid. I figured I should smooth the way a little, and find out where he stood.” When she just stared, he jammed his hands in his pockets. “It didn’t seem fair not to bring him into it, since he’d be mine.”

“Yours,” she murmured, staring blindly into her wine.

“Since you two are a team, it would be sort of like an expansion. Anyway, he’s for it. So it’s two against one.”

“I see.”

“Maybe I don’t know a lot about the daddy stuff, but I love him. That’s a good start.”

She looked at him again, looked into his eyes. Her heart opened, flooded. “It’s a good one, all right.”

“I love you.” His hands relaxed in his pockets. “That’s the first time I’ve said that to any woman—except my mother. I love you, Zoe. So why don’t you marry me and give me and the kid a break?”

“It looks like I’m outvoted.” She lifted a hand to his cheek.

“Is that a yes?”

“That’s definitely a yes.” She laughed as he swung her into his arms. “Daddy.”

“I like the sound of that.” He crushed his lips down on hers. “I like it a lot.”

Also by Nora Roberts

Hot Ice • Sacred Sins • Brazen Virtue • Sweet Revenge • Public Secrets • Genuine Lies • Carnal Innocence • Divine Evil • Honest Illusions • Private Scandals • Hidden Riches • True Betrayals • Montana Sky • Sanctuary • Homeport • The Reef • River’s End • Carolina Moon • The Villa • Midnight Bayou • Three Fates • Birthright • Northern Lights • Blue Smoke • Angels Fall • High Noon • Tribute • Black Hills • The Search • Chasing Fire • The Witness • Whiskey Beach • The Collector • Tonight and Always • The Liar • The Obsession • Come Sundown • Shelter in Place • Under Currents • Hideaway

Series

Irish Born Trilogy

Born in Fire • Born in Ice • Born in Shame

Dream Trilogy

Daring to Dream • Holding the Dream • Finding the Dream

Chesapeake Bay Saga

Sea Swept • Rising Tides • Inner Harbor • Chesapeake Blue

Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

Jewels of the Sun • Tears of the Moon • Heart of the Sea