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“Why?” I choked out the word, suddenly overwhelmed by my emotions.
She shot me a nervous smile. “Because I love you. And I know you say that you don’t need it, that you’re happy without fighting, but—”
I pulled Anna into my arms and kissed her, pressing my lips hard against hers as my hand cupped the back of her head. I didn’t give a damn who was watching. I loved this woman so damn much that I couldn’t breathe.
After a minute I stepped back and stared at her. Anna was panting a little, her eyes shimmering. “Thank you.”
Those two words could not begin to capture how appreciative I was of her.
“So you’re okay with this? Not mad?” She bit her lip and fidgeted with her hands in front of her.
My gaze slid across the room and over at the fifteen or so people around us. No one was saying a word, which was highly unusual for this group.
“I could never be mad at you.” I smiled at her as I reached for her hand. “But there is one thing.” My heart tapped inside my chest like a hard-clenched fist, pounding and pounding. I dropped to one knee, still holding her hand.
I barely heard the gasps from those surrounding us as I looked up at her. All I could focus on was the courageous woman before me. Her hand was trembling, and I brought my other one over it to warm her.
I bowed my head for a moment before looking back up at her with a smile. “I’m completely screwing this up,” I muttered. “I had this whole thing planned for next weekend—I was going to take you to the Ha’Penny Bridge. I got a ring and one of those lover locks . . . of course I left those at home.” I exhaled a deep breath as I noticed Anna’s free hand cover her mouth.
“But I’m a bloody idiot—I can’t wait another week. Or even a day. Marry me, Anna. Marry me. You talk about how I’ve made your dreams come true, love. Please, Anna, make mine come true, too.”
Tears streaked down her cheeks as she nodded. “Yes,” she whispered.
I stood back up, staring into her emerald-green eyes. I held her forearms, bracing myself—not sure if I could remain upright.
“Kiss her! Kiss her!” the kids chanted, and I think even Ma was, too.
“Well?” Anna smiled through her tears. “You gonna kiss me or what?”
My throat constricted, and I couldn’t speak.
I was so utterly happy.
Gloves on, gloves off—it didn’t matter anymore. If Anna was by my side, I’d be the luckiest Irishman on God’s green earth.
“Anna McGregor,” I murmured. “I love the sound of that.” She gasped as I swept her off her feet and pulled her tight against me, holding her in my arms. Our lips locked . . . and Anna stole my breath, just as she’d done the first time I laid eyes upon her.
