Tilly gasped. “On your mum’s birthday! That’s lovely! Beccy’s okay? And the baby?”

Kate nodded. “Beccy’s fine. And Madison is very cute.” A rush of emotion welled inside her as Tilly repeated her newborn niece’s name, so softly it was barely a whisper. “She’s perfect,” Kate rasped. “You should see her little nose.”

As Tilly turned and settled against the railing, the bare skin of their arms brushed and sent a charge through Kate. She licked her lips. “I think I might even get one of my own.”

Tilly grinned. “And how exactly do you plan on going about that?”

The urge to kiss Tilly was acute. “Not sure yet. Think you could give me a few ideas?”

Tilly’s breath was hot against the shell of her ear, and Kate could hear the smile in her voice. “Did you miss that lesson where they taught you how babies were made?”

Kate chuckled softly. As Tilly turned, the heat of her arm pressed against Kate’s. Smoothly, Kate took Tilly’s hand in hers.

Together they listened to the rush of the waves, relished in the warm breeze as the ferry crossed the bay. Softly, Kate traced her thumb over the spot where Declan’s sapphire once trapped sunlight tauntingly.

“That feels nice,” Tilly whispered.

Kate swallowed over the emotion that welled high in her throat. “How are things with Sister Ruth?”

Tilly sighed. “It’s getting better. We ignored it for a while but I just couldn’t live like that. We had a chat and I told her that I couldn’t accept the position, that I wanted St. Matthew’s. That I wanted to be with you.”

Kate’s eyes snapped up. “You did?”

Tilly nodded. “And I told Sister Mary Monica about us as well.”

Sister Mary Monica’s parting words replayed in her mind. Oh.

“I don’t want to keep this from people. I’m trying, Kate.”

She couldn’t help it—her eyes dropped to Tilly’s mouth. “I know you are.”

Tilly’s stare bore into her own. “Were you on your way to see me?”

“No, I’m on my way to East Island actually—Bob asked me to dinner and I couldn’t resist.”

Tilly’s sweet laugh tugged loose a knot in her chest. Shifting, Tilly pulled her hand from Kate’s and playfully pushed on her shoulder, but Kate was too quick, seizing the opportunity to slip her arm around Tilly’s waist and pull the heat of her body against her own.

She lowered her forehead to Tilly’s. “I missed you.” The truth spilled from her lips, effortless, unguarded. “Every day.”

Tilly hummed a sound and hunger hit Kate like a blow to the stomach. “I missed you too,” Tilly said, her breath hot against Kate’s lips. “Kiss me. Please.”

She did—long and slow. Satisfaction curled hot in her belly as Tilly’s hand smoothed over Kate’s shoulder and up her neck. When Tilly moaned into the kiss, Kate cradled her face in her hands.

“I bought it,” Tilly whispered against her lips.

Kate grinned. It had been a good kiss. “Good. I meant it.”