“And there is something I need to say to you,” he continued. “I think I knew it all along, but I wouldn’t let myself acknowledge it. I gave in to fear instead of hope, and . . . I love you, Deirdre Wiley. I’ve loved you ever since you first deigned to speak to me.”
Joy lit Deirdre up from the inside. This was all she ever wanted. “I love you too.”
“You did go through an awful lot of work to get yourself married to me,” he said.
“Well, it wasn’t as if it would have happened if I’d left it up to you.”
He gave her a half grin as he lifted a hand to trace the side of her face. “I was a little slow in coming around, I admit it. I was so afraid of losing your friendship.”
“That’s impossible,” she said, drawing in a breath as his knuckles traced a path from her jaw to her neck.
“And you are right.” He gently lifted her chin until her lips were even with his.
Deirdre tightened her hold on him as he dropped his mouth to hers. She’d waited so long for this, to hold him, to let him kiss her. And it was everything she’d hoped for. He was gentle and insistent at the same time, and she held on to his arms as he wrapped one arm around her waist and one hand against the back of her neck.
“Deirdre,” he said, pulling away just slightly.
She wasn’t letting him go that easily. With a sigh, she pushed her mouth to his again, and he groaned slightly as her lips parted.
“Deirdre,” he said again, this time pressing his forehead to hers. “I believe there are people waiting on us.”
Deirdre’s face flamed as she realized the sheriff and his men were standing around, some laughing lightly. They had Morgan and Dunn on two of the stolen horses, ready to ride back to town.
“I’m happy to leave you two out here tonight, if you like,” Sheriff Hunt said, grinning at Deirdre and Jeremiah.
Jeremiah took her hand. “Thank you, but I think we’re ready.”
Then he winked at her before leading her to the other stolen horse. He helped her up, his confident hands at her waist, and held her hand a lingering moment.
“I believe this belongs to you?” The sheriff handed Jeremiah the sack of money just as Jeremiah was about to mount Robin Hood.
Jeremiah thanked him. Deirdre watched them a moment, thankful for everything that had been saved that night. Jeremiah’s dreams, her brother, her marriage, her life.
She couldn’t wait to get home to experience all of it with him.
Epilogue
