“I’m glad you think so. Will you marry me?”

“I—” Her mouth dropped open as tears burned in her eyes. “You want to marry me?”

“More than anything.”

“No one’s ever wanted to marry me before.” Tears fell. “Why am I crying? This is happy. Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” She kissed him, unable to stop crying. “What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re having a moment. I kind of like it.”

“I’m being ridiculous.”

“It’s sweet, but if it’s okay with you, I’m going to assume that us being engaged means these are happy tears and I can ignore them.”

She nodded, still sniffing and wiping her face.

“Good.”

He took her hand and led her back to his bedroom. When they got there, he closed and locked the door, then pulled off his T-shirt. The sight of his bare chest and that big bed was just enough of a distraction to stop her tears. A different kind of happy swept through her as wanting burst to life in all her girl parts.

This, she thought stepping into his embrace. This was how it was going to be for the rest of their lives. And she couldn’t wait to get started on loving every second of it.

Dagmar had on a caftan in a paisley print. The swirling shades of purple matched the streaks in her hair. Bangles jangled on her wrist and bell-shaped earrings hung from her ears.

Unity studied the other woman, admiring her style, her strength and her ability to accept what life had to offer. She wasn’t there yet, but she was getting closer.

“You’ve been in hiding, little one,” Dagmar said without judgment. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too. I’m sorry to have disappeared but I needed time to think and plan.”

Dagmar poured them each tea, then offered a plate of scones. There was a bowl of clotted cream and several types of jam on the tray in front of them.

“You know I rented office space,” she said.

“Yes, Howard does love to gossip. I also know you’ve hired two men to work for you and from what I hear, they are both very nice-looking. The ladies of Silver Pines will be so pleased.”

Unity grinned. “I hired them for their skills, not their looks.”

“Two birds and all that. What else?”

“I’m selling the house.”

Dagmar’s eyebrows rose. “That is a surprise. Are you sure?”

“It’s not a comfortable decision, but it’s the right one for me. It’s time. I can’t live with his ghost anymore.”

“How does that feel?”

“Hard. Uncomfortable. Necessary. I’ve moved into a little condo I’m renting for a few months. It came furnished, so in a way it’s like living in a hotel, but I think I need that for now. I’ve packed away all the important things like pictures and a few things that belonged to Stuart. Everything else I either sold or donated.”

“I’m very proud of you,” Dagmar said with a smile.