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“I was just thinking that when we’re ready, we should find a house here on Brookwell.” It was a testing query. For so long, she hadn’t felt secure enough to live away from the properties she managed. But with Gallo no longer a threat and happily married to him, a man she’d chosen, her confidence to live more fully grew day by day.

“Oh. What a good idea. I would love to raise our family here.” Her teeth nipped into her lip. “You really don’t mind commuting to Key West?”

“Not as long as you don’t mind me traveling so frequently?”

Another smile. “We’re making it work.”

No one here could possibly understand what a miracle it was that she was dancing with him. To have her completely at ease with his touch, even in public. He was overwhelmed with gratitude that he was the only person privileged with those secrets.

“Rhett, I need a breather,” she said. “Let’s go outside for a minute.”

“Of course.” The crowd didn’t bother him, but he wouldn’t mind a little extra space between him and her parents. Wasn’t much point in worrying, thankfully, since her parents had no plans to relocated from Italy.

Trina took his hand as they wandered out toward the dunes, the breeze off the ocean stirring her hair. “So about those kids we didn’t discuss.”

He tripped. “Are you… Are you making an announcement?”

“Well, I’d rather not make our big announcement today. My mother has had her way far too much this week.” She squeezed his hand and leaned into his arm. “I don’t want to tell them until they’re back in Italy. But I thoughtyoushould know I won’t be drinking prosecco for a while.”

He picked her up and spun her in a circle and when he set her back on her feet he kissed her tenderly. “We’ll be parents.” One more miracle to add to the growing pile.

With the ocean pulsing behind them, he couldn’t help comparing this night on the beach to the night he’d found her so upset. “I love you,” he said.

“I love you too.” She rested her cheek on his chest, snuggling in. “I never thought I could get over myself or find anyone to trust enough to become a mother.” Her arms came around his waist. “Thank you for being my hero.”

For a moment all the emotions and words tangled up in his chest. Overcome, he could only whisper, “I love you,” over and over.

“You aren’t upset?”

“No! Why would I be?”

“It’s all so fast.” She took a deep breath and tilted her head up to the stars twinkling overhead. “Everything between us has come in a rush.”

“Who cares about timing? Neither one of us wants to waste any more time.”

“True.”

“You’ve changed my entire life. Adjusted my course, permanently. You make every day so wonderful,” he said. “Being parents is only going to give us more of the good stuff.”

“Parents?”

They turned as one to see her motherstanding there.

“Mama—” Trina began, only to be interrupted by a tidal wave of Italian. The only phrases Rhett could pick out were those involving love.

No matter how Trina tried to quiet her mother, the woman only grew more animated. Shouting for her husband, tears tracking down her cheeks. At least this time she was joyful instead of furious.

Rhett soon found himself in the midst of a crushing family hug. He’d thought the aunts were demonstrative, but they were practically antisocial compared to Marco and Talia Bollani.

Of course, the commotion drew a crowd and despite Trina’s hope to keep it quiet, news of her pregnancy raced through the party.

There were toasts and more dancing. More hugs and well-wishes. Every moment, quiet or loud, was a gift to be cherished.

They faced it together with laughter and happy resignation in the face of the loving chaos their families created. Together, they were stronger. And he knew that strength would grow with them. The same way he knew they’d joyfully and boldly face all the years to come.

Extend your stay on Brookwell Island with IN THE SPOTLIGHT a short-story peek into Nina’s life before Boone turned it upside down:

On a blustery winter evening, the Pelican Pub is packed to capacity. Nina Billings is eager to hear which bands are invited to the annual summer music festival. But her happy evening is turned upside down when a special honor turns intoa bar fight.