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“Morgan Drake.”
He paused at the angry tone he knew so well. Turning around, he saw Serenity headed straight for him with the look on her face that always preceded a lecture.
And deep inside he admitted he loved that look. Had missed it greatly.
“How dare you walk away.” She stopped directly in front of him. “I don’t care if you leave me. I’m a grown woman and that’s fine. But how dare you turn your back on your own son. You could have at least held him. Asked about him.”
“I didn’t know what to say,” he said, his own anger rising at her accusations. “I was expecting you, not you and…and a baby!”
He softened his tone and reached out to touch her cheek. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You and I had an understanding.”
Morgan ground his teeth at her obstinacy. “But you went through all this on your own. If you had only told me…”
“I didn’t want you here because you felt obligated, Morgan. I knew if I told you about Nicholas, then your sense of honor would force you to marry me. I told you on Santa Maria that I would never force you to give up your life.”
Morgan pressed his lips together as emotions washed over him. He didn’t deserve her. He knew that. She was so strong and brave.
He’d left her to face a nightmare and now he’d returned like some self-righteous Sir Lancelot trying to make things right.
If he’d possessed half her courage, he would never have allowed her to board that colonial ship in the first place.
He would have seen her grow round with his child.
Been there as she struggled to give Nicholas his life.
“Please don’t send me away, Serenity,” he whispered. “I came back because I need you. I want us…you, me, and Nicholas…to have a life together. To build a house…and…and farm like Jake, or maybe buy a business.”
He took her hand into his. “I no longer care where I live. I just want to be with you, Serenity. With you and with Nicholas forever.” He tightened his grip, afraid she would yet send him away. “Please say yes.”
Serenity took a deep breath and looked up at the sky as if imploring heaven for help. When she gazed back at him, her eyes showed a mixture of deep vexation and mirth. “Of course I’ll say yes, you surly pirate. How could I not?”
