“Of course. Come on, sweetheart.” She paused at the door, glancing back with a tired but sincere expression. “I’m sorry, Olive. Truly. We’ll be back in a while.”
She nodded. Once the door clicked shut, she gestured to the kitchenette. There, at least, Emil wouldn’t worry that her mother was listening. He followed without a word, filling up nearly half the narrow space with his broad shoulders. She leaned against the opposite counter and looked up at him.
“Go ahead. I’m listening.”
“I don’t want you to move into Longfellow House,” he blurted out, his words edged with frustration.
He hesitated, throat working, but she didn’t rush him. He had always waited patiently for her to find the right words. This time, she would return the gift. Besides, she had a feeling where he was headed. She dared not say it aloud, dared not influence his decision one way or the other. He already knew how she felt, knew what she wanted. The rest was up to him.
“I made up with my father,” he said finally.
She blinked, caught off guard. “You did?”
“Yes. Turns out I’m a selfish bastard. Thank you for ever-so-sweetly pointing that out to me.” He cut her a wry look, and she let out a hysterical giggle. “But it was exactly what I needed to hear. I woke up, Olive. I’m no longer afraid of the future. No, that isn’t exactly true. I’m afraid of a future that doesn’t have you in it. That doesn’t have my family in it. And I’ll do anything to make sure I never have to be without. While my mother was cleaning Robbie up, I spoke with my father. His business is in trouble, and I’m going to help him. Which is good, considering I turned down Harvey Gunn’s favor?—”
She straightened. “You did what?”
He winced. “Oh. Right. There’s a lot I haven’t been able to tell you. I went to Gunn yesterday and asked him for a different favor. But I was too late. Your landlord had already made her move.”
“You traded in your favor…for me? Even before you knew if I would forgive you?”
“It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be,” he said. “In fact, it was the first decision I’d made in a long time that made sense. You come first, Olive. Always.”
She raised a hand to her trembling lips.
“I’m going to work with my father. I’m going to ensure our families are safe and cared for. And that begins by moving all of you into the floating house. That’s the second thing I talked to my father about. We all agree it’s the best choice. My mother and sister are already there, airing out the upstairs rooms, preparing things.”
Her jaw fell slightly open as her heart swelled. “They all…they all want us there?”
“Everyone wants you there,” he said, stepping a little closer, his expression intensifying. “Your mother, Robbie, you. We want you. I know you’d thrive at Longfellow House. Of course you would. Clem is a good woman. Despite what I said earlier, I admire her. I know you would be supported there.”
He paused, dragging a hand through his hair. “But the floating house is quieter. Your mother needs peace. Robbie needs freedom, a place to run without worrying about disturbing elderly women or knocking over teacups. And I…” He looked at her helplessly. “I’m selfish, Olive. Goddammit, I am. I don’t want you over there. I want you with me.”
A slow, tremulous smile stole across her cheeks. “Wanting someone in your life isn’t selfish, darling. I think it’s rather sweet.” She paused, remembering Clem’s words despite how much she wished they weren’t true. “But Clem raised a fair point. If I?—”
“Marry me,” he interrupted.
Her breath hitched.
“Marry me tomorrow. I don’t want to wait any longer,” he said. “One night away from you is all I can stand. After that, I need to wake up beside you. I need your sweet voice filling my home, your brother’s laughter in the hallway. I need your mother at my table. I need you. And I think—I hope—you still need me. Still want me.” He stepped close enough for her to feel his heat, to see the hope flickering in his deep blue eyes. “So will you marry me?
“Tomorrow?” she repeated slowly.
“Yes. Tomorrow.”
“But how would we even…?”
“I’ve already thought it through.” He reached for her hand, wrapping his calloused fingers around hers. “We’ll move you into the house tonight. When you’re rested, we’ll go to the courthouse and get the license. Then I’ll fetch Judge Wilson—he owes me a favor. We’ll gather your mother and brother, and when we’re all together…we’ll get married.”
Joy rose through her chest, bright and sudden, as if the world had broken into song. This wasn’t desperation. This wasn’t an escape. He had chosen this. He had chosen her. Meeting his fervent gaze was the easiest thing she’d ever done. And as she did so, she realized courage wasn’t always about taking action. Sometimes, it was about accepting the good into her life. Knowing she deserved it. That she’d always deserved it.
“Then I say yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Thank Christ.” He let out a shaky laugh and swept her into his arms, holding her tight. She wrapped herself around him, tucking her nose into the curve of his neck, inhaling his virile scent, feeling the pounding of his heart against her chest.
The front door flew open with another loud bang.
“Robbie,” Olive groaned, pulling from Emil’s embrace and peering around the kitchenette doorway. “Stop slamming the?—”
