She tried to twist around, but her tender ribs really disapproved of the move, and she gasped in pain.
“Damn it, Mags. Don’t hurt yourself,” Jonathan chided.
He gingerly slipped out from where she’d been leaning against him and kneeled on the hardwood next to the couch.
“What—” she gasped as Jonathan held up a ring, and not just any ring, but a gold band set with stunning round-cut diamonds around the entire circle.
“Jon,” she breathed, stunned.
“I know you don’t like to wear rings while you’re working with your embroidery because they catch on the strands sometimes, but I had the jeweler make it so the prongs holding each diamond are smooth.
“They call this style an eternity ring, and,” he hesitated, his face burning, “I thought since I’ve always loved you, it fit. Us, I mean. Fit us.” He grimaced at his rambling but persevered. “Will you marry me, Margaret Morrow?”
She started to push herself up, but he was quicker, his hand coming to rest gently against her chest, guiding her back down before she could strain her ribs.
“Easy,” he murmured. “Yes,” she breathed at the same time.
And then he was sliding the band onto her ring finger, his touch steady despite everything, before leaning in to kiss her—soft, certain, and full of promise.
Around them, their friends erupted—shouting, laughing, hooting loud enough to shake the room—but Mags barely heard any of it, completely lost in him.
“You make me so damn happy, Mags. I could have lost you when I’d only just got you.” He kissed her again. “It’s definitely forever now,” he grinned, twisting her ring.
Mags touched her fingertips along his jaw. “Definitely forever.”
“Should I phone the Daily and let them know that their ‘Sexiest Hero’ is officially off the market?” Bébhinn asked, clapping her hands in glee.
fifty-three
BLAIR
Life wasabout family and friends, full of smiles and laughter, best friends and hard work. Life could be cold and blustery or blazing hot, soft breezes in the afternoon or misty mornings, suffocating parties or a solitary night.
Life was colorful with blue skies, orange, yellow, and purple sunsets, verdant hills and valleys, or brilliant leafy trees, their bark like braille under her fingertips, silently speaking their secrets.
But life was also quiet. At least for her.
Blair was born with no auditory nerves, so she wasn’t a candidate for cochlear implants. She didn’t mind.
Most days.
Some were excruciating, but thankfully, they were few and far between.
Blair was too fortunate to wallow in self-pity. She had loving parents, a shithead of a younger brother who also happened to be pretty amazing, and six best friends that included her cousin, Mags Morrow (soon-to-be O’Faolain), Gray MacGregor Murphy,Bébhinn O’Faolain Griffiths, Ciar Murphy, Dagr Griffiths, Daniel O’Faolain, and Jonathan O’Faolain.
The interconnected relationships would un-saint a saint to unravel. Best to leave the branchy family and friends’ tree for another day of musing.
Blair had been at a crossroads for months. Sure, she was independent and went her own way, when and where she pleased. Her life was plants…seriously, herlife.
But her friends were all paired off now, or mostly, getting married, having children, and running their own businesses. She wasn’t falling behind or dissatisfied so much as unsettled, irritable, and lonely.
Which was ridiculous. Completely outrageous. Blair was brilliant, a prodigy botanist, and highly coveted.
A university in the United States wanted her in their master's program in plant pathology. Oklahoma State University wasn’t the most prestigious university, but one of its professors, Dr. Linda Bartel, wanted her, and Blair recognized a kindred spirit in the woman.
Linda had even flown to Dublin to interview Blair, woo her to OSU so to speak, and she’d been wooed. Still, Blair hadn’t wanted to leave her family and friends. She might be brilliant with all things green and leafy, but unlike them, Blair needed more than sunlight and water to thrive. She needed to be surrounded by the familiar.
In a perfect world, Blair would work with Ulf Griffiths, Bébhinn’s father-in-law. He oversaw a reserve passion project in Wales. She’d already spent weeks there for one of her classes, and even though she’d fallen in love with Wales’ flora and it met school requirements, Blair couldn’t accept Ulf's offer. She needed to leave the country.
