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“How in the world could it be your fault?”
“If I had believed you, trusted in you, I would have known you had nothing to do with publishing The Ruby. You swore you didn’t, yet I didn’t believe you.”
“It’s still not your fault. My actions these past few weeks haven’t inspired a lot of trust.”
“But if I had trusted you, you wouldn’t have gone there.”
Ally’s heart warmed. “I might have anyway, to find out who was behind this. After all, Sophie was kidnapped and you were shot. You didn’t expect me to just sit idly by and let that happen.”
Evan let out a chuckle. “No. I do know you better than that.”
Ally smiled, and then grimaced. “Ouch.”
“My love?”
“Sorry, it just hurts to smile.”
“You poor thing. And your smile is so beautiful too.”
She tried again…and failed.
“Alexandra…”
“Yes?”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness, and I’m completely unworthy of you, but if you’ll forgive me…”
“I forgive you, Evan, if you’ll forgive me.”
“For what?”
“For being such a pain. I was truly horrible. And then insisting upon marrying Mr. Landon when I was in love with you. I was a ninny. A true idiot. Can you forgive me that?”
“I’ll forgive you anything, love. And if you’ll have me, I promise to spend the rest of my life making you and our children happy.”
Warmth bubbled through Alexandra. “Then you mean…?”
“Yes, my beautiful love. Will you marry me, Alexandra MacIntyre?”
“Oh, Evan”—she blinked back tears—“I would be proud and honored to be your wife.”
Evan leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. A tiny firecracker exploded inside her.
“Mmm,” she said. “I wish…”
“What, sweet?”
She smiled again…and winced. “I wish we could do more.”
Evan laughed. “In a few weeks, we’ll be able to do everything we want to do.”
Ally spied the book Evan had set on the bed table. “You came in carrying a book. What is it?”
“Oh, I almost forgot. I just had this published. The printers had to rush to keep deadlines on other projects, but I’m the boss.” He smiled and handed her the book.
It was covered in embossed leather. She opened it.
Leaves in the Wind, A Collection of Poetry by Evan Xavier
