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“He’s in the process of drawing up a document that I’m going to sign tomorrow. I’m going to promise to drop all charges and not take out a restraining order, so Blue won’t get a police record. I’m also going to pay him a large sum of money.”
I stare at him, shocked. “Seriously?”
“In return,” he says softly, “Blue will agree to relinquish any attempt to name himself Leia’s guardian, and he’ll drop his application for custody and adoption.” He smiles. “Leia’s ours.”
My jaw drops.
We stare at each other for a long, long time.
My heart is soaring. Blue has obviously realized he’s blown any chance of adopting Leia. This way he’ll get the money, which is what he wanted, and we get Leia.
“I’m so sorry he attacked you today,” James says. “I’d do anything if I could rewind time and make it so that hadn’t happened. The only comfort I can give you is that because you were so brave, you’ve made it so that Blue will never have a claim on her.”
My bottom lip trembles, and I look down at Leia, who stares back up at me with big, trusting eyes so like her uncle’s.
No, her father’s. Her eyes are just like her father’s.
“Did you hear what I said?” James adds. “Leia’s ours.” He emphasizes the last word.
Ours. Not mine.
“I’ve been an idiot,” he murmurs. “I’ve done everything back to front, and made a complete hash of things. I should have asked you out and dated you properly. And I should have asked you to marry me for love, not for money. In my defense, I did it for Leia. But it’s affected me in ways I never imagined.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
He lifts his left hand up and examines it thoughtfully. “It’s just a metal ring. A symbol of a contract. That’s what I thought.” He looks at my hand then where I’m holding Leia, and he reaches out and touches the gold band on my finger. “Today, when I was crossing the lobby and I saw you on the floor and Blue standing over you, all I could think was that you were my wife. And I felt this incredible surge of protectiveness for you and Leia.”
I can barely breathe. Around me, the summer day continues—fantails twittering in the lemon trees, the sound of a lawnmower in the distance, music playing faintly where Nick is cleaning the pool. But here, on the deck, with James, it feels as if time has stopped.
He takes a deep breath. “I’ve fallen in love with you.” He stops, then gives a short laugh and murmurs, “Turns out it was that simple.”
“Sorry?”
“Nothing.” He smiles. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Aroha Rutherford.” His smile broadens at the use of my married name. “I know when I asked you to marry me, I said it would be in name only. And I’ll understand if you want it to stay that way. I know I’ve been an arsehole, and that I have no idea how women’s hearts work. But I want to say that I’d like to be married properly.”
I finally remember to breathe, and I inhale deeply, then exhale. My head is spinning. “What do you mean?”
He tips his head to the side and reaches out to remove a thread from my robe. “When you feel better… when you’re ready…” He lifts his gaze to mine again. “I’d like us to be married for real.”
“You mean…”
His gaze drops to my mouth.
My lips part. “Oh…”
He looks back up. “Only when you’re ready,” he says sternly. “If you want, we can start all over again. Begin dating for real. Go out for dinner, to the theater. Get to know one another first. And then, when it’s time… We can consummate the marriage.” He chuckles.
I swallow hard. “I don’t think I’m a bad nanny, but I know I’m not the sort of woman you’d choose for a wife, James. Are you only saying this because you’re stuck with me?”
He looks startled. “What? No!”
“I’m not a businesswoman. I don’t wear expensive, fashionable clothes. I don’t have thousands of followers on Instagram.”
“If you’re trying to say that you’re not Cassie, I’m very much relieved. I’ve fallen for you because of who you are. You’re kind and gentle. And really, really hot.”
That takes me by surprise and makes me laugh, and he grins.
I press my fingers to my lips as tears spill over my lashes. “Do you mean it?”
