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  Hannah had been overjoyed when Adam asked to court Emily. She just wished she knew how long he was going to court her before proposing, because if he hadn’t proposed within two weeks, she was going to be the one popping the question. Of course, her parents would die of a heart attack, since that was never done...at least what Emily had heard, anyway.

  Adam seemed chipper this morning, whistling as he guided the horse toward their destination—wherever that was. She enjoyed seeing him so relaxed. He smiled more, laughed almost all the time, and he stared dreamily into her eyes as if they were the only two people on earth.

  She peered up into his face and smiled. She thanked God that Adam had been kept safe during the attack, especially after Mr. Corbin had tried to kill him. She’d have to thank the sheriff personally for saving the man she loved more than life itself.

  “Adam?” she asked, breaking the silence.

  “Yes, my love?”

  “Did you find out if Father Brian was really involved with the Irish gang?”

  He shook his head. “Your cousin had already left for Ireland, so I couldn’t ask him. But if he was involved, I’m sure one of the rebels will point fingers. We’ll know eventually since the Marshall will be grilling them with questions this next week.”

  “I pray he’s not involved, but the nagging feeling in the back of my mind tells me he is. In fact, I believe he’s hiding behind his clergyman robes.”

  “I’d thought the same thing.” He patted her hand that was wrapped around his arm. “Are you going to be all right if we discover he was the Irish gang’s leader?”

  “I’ll be sad, just as my family would be, but I’m not going to hold back from turning him in to the marshal if Brian ever decides to return to Savannah.”

  “When he hears that we won and his comrades are in jail, I think he’ll stay in Ireland.”

  Sighing, she rested her head against his arm. “I hope he finds peace where he’s going.”

  Silence lasted only a few moments before Adam chuckled. “Funny you should mention peace.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  He pulled the buggy to the side of the road and stopped. They were on a street with several homes. He shifted on the seat and peered down into her face.

  “Because since we first met, you’ve been slowly introducing me to forgiveness, and to happiness. I’d been devastated for five years, and I never thought I’d feel happy, let alone fall in love again.” He cupped the side of her face. “You, my sweet Emily, are the very reason I’m happy right now. You are the very reason I have finally put the ghosts of my past to rest. And you, my darling, are the reason I’m anxious to think about the future.” He stroked her cheek gently. “I want you in my life from here on out. Emily Black, I want you to be my wife.”

  Her heart skipped wildly as delight filled her very being. “Oh, Adam. I want to be your wife more than anything in this world.”

  He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the mouth, but pulled away. “And I hope you forgive me if I want to hurry our courtship so that we can marry quickly. I’m thinking maybe two weeks?”

  Laughing, she flung her arms around him. He held her tightly as their mouths met again, this time, prolonging the kiss. She loved him so much and hoped he was able to feel it in her kiss.

  “Emily,” he muttered against her lips. “I need to show you the surprise I was telling you about last night.”

  Strange to think she’d forgotten about that once they started kissing. She giggled and pulled away. “Forgive me, but your kisses have a wonderful effect on me and I can’t seem to get enough.”

  “Me, either.” He winked. “But we have plenty of time for that later. Right now, I want you to turn and look at that house.”

  He nodded to the structure behind her, so she looked in that direction. A newly built home stood on the street of older style homes. Immediately, she could see that it was empty.

  “Do you like it?” he asked.

  “Yes, of course. It needs paint, and a new yard, but other than that, it’s lovely.”

  “That’s my house.”

  “What?” She swung around and looked at him. “When did you get a house?”

  He hopped out of the buggy and reached for her, bringing her down beside him. “This was where my first house stood—and burned. I didn’t realize it until the other night, but Jacob and some of my friends had rebuilt the house for me a few years ago.” He sighed heavily and aimed his gaze on the house. “I wish I would have known before Jacob died.”

  “How did you find out?”

  He led the way toward the house. “I stumbled upon it and was appalled that someone would build a place on my land. When I searched through the house, I found a letter that Jacob had written, telling me who all had helped him build it.”

  Adam opened the door and they walked inside. “It’ll definitely need to be painted and more work on the floors and walls before we can move in, but I can’t wait to live in the house my brother built out of love.”

  Emily hesitated to say what was on her mind, but she must. “Adam? Will you think of Mary and Phillip if we live here?” She expelled a breath. “I don’t want you to forget about her, but I want to be the main woman in your life now.”

  He took Emily into his arms again and smiled. “There’s nothing here left to remind me of Mary or Phillip. Although they will always be in the back of my mind, I want to start a new life with the woman I love. And I want to have children and live blissfully happy here.” He stroked her cheek. “What do you say? Will you want to live here with me? Because if you don’t think you can live here with me, we can live anywhere you like.” He shrugged. “I’m quite wealthy, and I’ll build you any house, in any town, you’d like. Just as long as we are together and in love.”

  Her heart melted again. She’d have to get used to this feeling because she knew he’d do this to her every time for the rest of their lives.

  “I will live anywhere with you. It doesn’t matter.” She paused, looking around the room again. “I’ll be happy here. And I really want Savannah to be my home, because this is where I fell in love with you.”

  “Our sweet Savannah home.” He nodded. “I like that.”

  “Me, too.”

  He stared into her eyes for the longest time, just smiling as he held her. She loved that they could do this without feeling awkward.

  “Thank you, Emily my love.”

  “For what?”

  “For coming into my life and showing me true happiness. I hadn’t planned on surrendering my heart to you, but I’m so glad I did.”

  “Adam Hamilton, you really are the perfect man.”

  “Then what do you say we create the perfect life together.”

  She nodded as her attention dropped to his mouth, feeling the urge to kiss him again. “I just have one question.”

  “And what is that, my love?”

  “What do you say we start sooner than two weeks? I can’t wait that long.”

  He whooped a loud laugh as he lifted her in his arms and swung her around. Tilting her head back, she laughed with him.

  This was exactly how love should be—two people who had fun together, loved unconditionally, and supported each other through thick and thin. Indeed, they would make a perfect couple.

  THE END

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  Watch for other books in this series coming soon...

  The Reluctant Widow

  Destinies Unite

  Love Heals All

  Author’s Bio

  Marie Higgins is a best-selling author of Christian and sweet romance novels; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. She’s has 50 heartwarming on-the-edge-of-your-seat stories, and broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, parano
rmal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her "Queen of Tease", because of all her twists and unexpected endings.

  Visit her website to discover more about her – https://authormariehiggins.wixsite.com/romance

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