“But all that’s changed,” said Ava. “You can go anywhere.”
“We can go,” said Mac.
Ava nodded, placing her hand on his. “We can go. We can live anywhere we choose.”
“I’m still getting used to that concept. Somehow it was easier when I couldn’t choose.”
“I understand,” said Ava. “But listen, Mac, darling, we can spend Christmas there, visit every summer.”
Mac read the excitement in her eyes and knew that their time in the mountains had come to an end. The last twelve months had passed quickly. There was Ava’s operation. Weeks spent in the hospital. Oncehome, she had dedicated herself to her recovery. Daily walks. Sessions with her physical therapist. Visits to St. Moritz for stem cell therapy.
Mac studied her. This woman he loved. Of course she was right. He couldn’t expect her to live in a town of a thousand souls tucked away at the end of an alpine valley. He tried to picture her on the alp, caring for the cows, cleaning out the barn. He laughed at the thought. Not going to happen.
“What about you?” he asked. “Plans?”
She smiled. “Somehow it was easier when I couldn’t choose.”
“And now?”
“We’ll see,” said Ava, lightly, almost dismissively, but Mac read something behind her eyes. He knew the look. She was up to something. Whether that meant returning to Mossad or engaging in other, less opaque work on her country’s behalf, he didn’t know. He wasn’t sure how he felt about either prospect.
Mac’s hand brushed the box. He had a sudden and terrifying thought. What if marriage wasn’t something she had in mind? They’d never really discussed the future. What if she said no?
Hell, he thought, taking a breath. Get it over with. It wasn’t going to get any easier just thinking about it.
“Before we go any further,” said Mac. “I need to ask you something.”
“That sounds ominous,” said Ava. “Should I be frightened?”
“I hope not,” said Mac. “Then again ...” He fished in his pocket for the box.
“You’re not going to ask if you can get out of going to Versailles tomorrow?”
“No. You don’t have to worry about that. I want to see Versailles.”
“Good,” said Ava. “Go ahead. I’m all ears.”
Mac smiled. Suddenly, his throat felt tight, his mouth dry. “It’s been a tough year,” he began. “The operation. All the work to get better. Both of us taking care of a little girl. On top of that, wondering if and when they were going to come after us ... well, me, at least. I think we managed pretty well.”
“Very well,” said Ava.
“What I mean to say is that I enjoy being with you.”
“I enjoy being with you,” said Ava.
“We make a good team,” said Mac.
“We do.”
“And we both agree we have to find a new place to live,” he said.
“I’m glad we do,” said Ava.
“What I want to say is that I love you very much.”
“I love you too.”
Mac’s hand tightened on the box. “So, I wanted to ask you ...”
