They stood in complete silence for a full minute, watching one another. Lyndal’s heart was drumming in her throat.
‘I used to believe you don’t get securityandlove,’ she said. ‘You have to choose. My mother chose love, and it almost killed her—several times. So at some point while growing up in this place, I chose security.’ She flicked a piece of mud off her dress. ‘I’ve since realised that the two aren’t separate. With love comes security. There’s no security without it. So when you’re ready to ask, when the time is right, I’ll be here waiting to tell you yes.’ She swallowed. ‘I’ve loved you for longer than I care to admit. I’m already yours. I can wait for the formal part.’
Astin wet his lips, glimpses of sun breaking through those stormy eyes of his. ‘I’m not sure I can walk away after hearing that, so if it’s all the same to you, I’ll just ask you now.’
She could feel warm light rising inside her, heat filling her cheeks.
‘Marry me,’ he said. Two words. Nothing more.
A smile spread across her face, and she flung herself at him. He caught her with a laugh.
‘Can I bring Pig and the babies to live with us?’ she asked him.
‘Yes.’ He kissed her deeply, seemingly inhaling her.
Lyndal’s sisters and mother came rushing over, faces lit with excitement, having clearly eavesdropped on the conversation. Astin lowered Lyndal to the ground, and her family descended on her. Presley wandered over also.
‘I’m going to have to teach you how to tie a proper knot,’ Presley said.
Lyndal pulled her in for a hug.
‘Oh. Is this going to be a regular thing?’ Presley asked, awkwardly patting Lyndal’s back.
‘Yes,’ all the Suttone women said at once.
Astin grabbed Lyndal around the waist and tugged her back to him, kissing her again. Apparently he did not care about the audience standing a few feet away.
‘What’s all this?’ Harlan called to them. He was shaking his head as he approached.
‘Guess who’s finally joining the family?’ Blake said.
Harlan kissed Blake’s head and hooked an arm around her, looking at Astin. ‘Really? You might want to hold on to your armour, farmer.’
Blake threw an elbow into his ribs, and he chuckled.
‘I think he knows what he’s getting himself into by now,’ Lyndal said.
The shop door opened again, and Birtle came wandering out. He looked between Astin and Lyndal. ‘I’ve got a bottle of wine I’ve been saving for when we finally got some good news.’ He waved everyone over to the veranda.
Candace, Blake, and Eda were already walking in that direction.
Astin turned to his sister. ‘We don’t have to stay.’
‘I think we could all do with a bit of wine right now. Besides, Lyndal wore the bull out, so he’ll need to rest for a while.’ Presley signalled for Rose to join them, then looked at Astin. ‘I know it probably doesn’t mean much to you, but Mother would have loved all of this—especially seeing you happy.’ She gave him a tight smile before walking off ahead.
Astin took hold of Lyndal’s hand and brought it to his lips. A familiar sensation of invincibility ran through her.
‘You’re limited to one cup of wine,’ Astin said. ‘I’ve seen you drunk.’
Lyndal’s head fell back with laughter, and he bent to kiss her again.
When she finally stopped, she asked. ‘Does this match come with a title? I was quite fond of “Lady Lyndal the third”.’
‘That’s fine, but only if you continue to address me as Your Superiorship.’
Smiling, she pressed her lips to his arm. ‘Done.’
Epilogue
