“But you didn’t tell me. What were you doing all day when you said you were working?”
He winced. “About ten minutes after I quit, I realized I’d have no chance with you without a way to provide for you. I spent the days researching methods for making investments more accessible to the masses, ways I could help people who needed it.”
What a beautiful, clever man. “And you’ve done it?”
“Well, few people want to work with a person looking to give money away, but I’ve finally found someone who’ll pay me for it.” His eyes sparkled as he grinned. “This morning, in fact.”
Pride volleyed about in her chest. “Who?”
He raised one brow. “Not whom?”
She swatted his shoulder. “For goodness’ sake—”
“Ben. He’s told the firm that holds his inherited trust they can only keep the account if I manage it, and they’ve agreed.”
She gave a long, low whistle. “Ben is that wealthy?”
“He doesn’t want anyone to know it, but yes.” Garrett pulled in a deep breath. “I won’t make much, Sadie, nothing like I had before. But I’ll be happy doing it. I own my apartment, and it’s small but—”
“Are you trying to convince me of something? Because you’re doing a terrible job of it.”
His eyes closed, and when he opened them, they were glistening. “I desperately want to be a part of your life, more than a colleague or friend. I want to love you, to care for you until you’re tired of me. I want to bring you blankets and cheese and warm socks. I want to make you smile and laugh until your face hurts.” He paused, his eyes searching hers. “I want to marry you, to father your children, but if you don’t want that, I’ll understand. Whatever you want—”
“I want that.” Her laugh ached as her chest heaved, her heart aching for him. “I want the cheese and socks and children and laughter—andyou.” She kissed him as tears fell. “I want you.”
He caught her lips and kissed her hard, then pulled her tight against his chest. “My sweetness, my sunshine, will you be my wife?”
She nodded against his chest and held tight, unwilling to let him go for even a moment. “Yes, of course, yes.”
He kissed her then, the dance of his tongue against hers making her knees tremble. After several long moments, he pulled away and gave her a concerned look. “I’ve heard another storm is coming tonight.”
She glanced out the window towards the perfectly clear starry sky. “I agree. What a shame it would be if we were to be stuck here overnight.”
He gave a grim nod but could only hold it for a moment before breaking into a grin. “A shame indeed.”
Epilogue
One year later
Sadiepausedinfrontof the firehouse and stuck out her tongue, catching a snowflake on the tip. The shock of cold diffused until only the ghost of sensation remained, and she smiled. Taking time from her day to indulge in such childish antics was unheard of for the Sadie of a year ago, as her husband was fond of reminding her.
Her husband.Her thumb pressed against the hard band on her ring finger, still discernible through the heavy wool of her mittens. She’d only carried the title of Mrs. MacInness for two months, as her cautious self had insisted on waiting until they were certain their match would survive when not snowbound.
Not only had it survived, but the love between them thrived, swelling and expanding, swimming from his veins to hers and back again until they seemed one person, one soul carried in two bodies.
She tugged at the door to the firehouse and slipped inside, grateful to have arrived before the sun set and made the falling snow freeze over. Ben had sent a note asking her to review the most recent pamphlet once more before tomorrow’s print run. Her annoyance at his oddly timed request diminished somewhat, knowing Garrett would most likely stop by with supper and—
Thump.
She lifted her head and listened keenly, waiting for the sound to repeat. When it didn’t, she finished removing her mittens, hat, and scarf, and tossed them beside the other three sets Garrett kept for her. He was insistent that she stay warm at all times, bundling her up whenever she so much as shivered.
Thump.
Her ears perked, and she abandoned the task of taking off her coat. The sound seemed to come from within the building, but it’d been locked when she arrived. Perhaps Ben had stopped by, but he would have left the door unlocked. Garrett carried a key, but he wouldn’t be by for hours because of his work.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart thundered in her ears. She knew what to do in this situation; she began her retreat through the door to seek help when she noticed the pamphlet set alongside her hat and mittens.
