“Alannah?” came a womanly voice outside the bedroom door. “’Tis me, Zaira.”
Alannah raced to the door and threw it open, not caring that Zaira might discover Torin was alive and staying in Kiernan’s bedroom just down the hallway. Alannah needed a friend, and Zaira had become one in spite of their social differences.
Zaira, as usual, looked windblown and flushed but radiant. In a riding gown of pale green, she had her hair tucked away under a matching bonnet with a wide brim and a large ribbon tied underneath her chin.
Before Alannah could brace herself, Zaira threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly.
Alannah couldn’t hold back a laugh of surprise at the enthusiasm.
The young woman smelled of sunshine and wildflowers and brought with her the warmth of the late afternoon.
“I’m so happy to see you.” Zaira pulled back, smiling widely.
“Oh aye, I’m happy to see you more.”
“You’ll be even happier when you see what I’ve brought you.” Zaira’s smile turned smug.
“What have you brought?” Another manuscript to edit perhaps?
Zaira closed the door behind her, then snapped open her reticule and dug through it. After several seconds, she pulled out a folded paper and held it out. “From Kiernan.”
From Kiernan? Alannah’s heart began to pound irregularly. A part of her wanted to grab it and rip it open. But another part was too afraid to find out that he was giving her what she’d said she wanted and was now telling her farewell.
“’Tis a good note, Alannah.” Zaira squeezed her hand gently. “He isn’t letting you go, so you may as well accept that you’re stuck with him. With all of us.”
Rapid tears stung Alannah’s eyes. “Really?” She could hardly force the word out.
“Really.” Zaira motioned toward the sheet. “Now read it.”
Alannah unfolded the note, unable to control the shaking of her fingers. As she spread it open, her eyes took in the title:Qualities Needed in a Wife.
The list was numbered from one to twelve just as it had been previously. But next to each number was the same thing:She has to be Alannah, the woman I love.
At the bottom of the sheet was another short sentence:I’m going to California with you because nothing else means as much as you.
Overwhelming relief weakened her knees, and she grasped the chest of drawers beside her to keep from crumpling.
Kiernan still loved and wanted her.
In fact, he was willing to sacrifice everything for her,including giving up his businesses and aspirations in St. Louis to travel west with her.
What kind of man would do that? It was beyond anything she’d ever believed possible, a love like she’d never known.
Kiernan Shanahan was a man worth keeping forever. He’d proven that to her already in so many small ways. Now with his willingness to sacrifice so much to be with her—his family, his wealth, his businesses, his plans—how could she doubt how much he loved her?
And how could she let him give it all up? She couldn’t. She didn’t belong in the West with Torin. She belonged here in St. Louis with Kiernan. Even if a part of her heart would always be in Tralee and Ireland, she had a new home now, and that was with Kiernan.
The pressure in her chest swelled. Torin had been right. She couldn’t push Kiernan away any longer out of her fear of losing people she loved. There would be losses and hardships because of the brokenness of their world. But she couldn’t forget that God was walking with her through them and would be with Kiernan and her no matter what they faced. They would have a wise and loving Companion for their journey ahead.
Was it possible she could find a way to show Kiernan how much she loved him, just like he’d shown her?
But what could she do? She glanced at Zaira to find the young woman was waiting expectantly. “I love him too.”
Zaira smiled. “I know.”
“Ach, I need to be showing him how much. But what can I do?”
Zaira’s smile widened. “I have an idea.” She stalked toward the closet and opened the door to reveal a dozenlovely gowns, the ones Kiernan had encouraged Alannah to wear but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to do so.
