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Her doubts evaporated, leaving her twenty pounds lighter. Of course she forgave him, but after everything he put her through, she wouldn’t make this easy. “I need a job.”
He blinked. “That’s not the response I was expecting.”
“I’m not finished. I want to be part of your new company.”
She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the confused look on his face. “Of course. People would much rather deal with you than me any—”
“And an ownership stake.”
Lachlan’s brows winged upward. “My rose grew thorns whilst I was away.”
“Do you want me or not?” Her mouth went dry when his expression turned grave. Had she pushed too hard, too soon?
“On one condition. We seal our business arrangement with a marital one.”
“A—a what?” Now that she hadn’t been expecting. She had to blink rapidly to clear her vision.
“Please don’t cry,leannan. Tell me you love me—that it’s not too late for us.” His words were issued as a command, tinged with desperation.
She gave a watery laugh as a burst of happiness flooded her. “That sounded like an order, Captain Mackay.”
The corners of his mouth lifted. His eyes glistened, which did her in. “I love you, Sophia.”
“I love you, too. And I accept. Both offers.” She kissed her Highland warrior.
He wouldn’t be an easy man to love, but hesawher.
She didn’t have to prove she was worth loving, that she deserved respect.
And she saw him. Hewasthe man in the painting.
She would make sure he never doubted it and that the ghosts from his past stayed banished forever.
Epilogue
OneYearLater
Lachlan crouched, running his palm over white limestone. Memories and the scent of freshly mowed grass filled the air. His fingers traced the engraved winged dagger insignia of the SAS. Beneath it,25068743TroopStaff Sergeant Thomas Barnwell, 22 Special Air Service Regiment, Age 34.
His fiancée’s hand rested on his shoulder, her gentle touch grounding him. In a week, Sophia would be his wife. First, however, he was here in Herefordshire to say goodbye to an old friend.
“Mo charaid, it’s been a long time.“ His throat closed up.I’m sorry.He glanced at the woman next to him before returning his gaze to the stone. “You should see her, Thom. She makes life worth living.”
He looked to the clouds, the religion of his youth telling him his friend was more likely to be found in that direction than beneath the cold earth at his feet.
“I have my own company now. Dìleas. It means faithful. And I will be.”
Lachlan dug beneath his shirt and lifted the metal ID disc over his head. He draped the tag over the grave marker. “This belongs to you, pal. I’ve kept it long enough.”
Rising to his feet, he rendered a crisp salute.
He and Sophia stood for a moment in silence. The row of markers glistened against the backdrop of the green manicured lawn. Beams of sunlight fought through the overcast sky above them, dappling the gravestones.
The sound of a child’s laughter drew their gazes to the path on their right. A young mother pushed a pram while the man with her chased down a giggling toddler.
Life amid death.
“You deserve happiness.” Sophia twined her fingers in his.
“I have it.” He raised their joined hands to kiss her knuckles. “I have you.”
THE END