Page 22

She pulled out her phone. “I was hoping you’d ask. Just for fun, I got a bridal magazine the other day, and we went through it. Lots of ads for rings. Anna kept looking at one style in particular. I looked up the site for you.” She handed me her phone.

I scrolled through the pictures. “They’re, ah, small.”

“No, the setting is delicate, but the diamond is still a nice size. The craftsmanship is exquisite.” She tapped one picture. “Look at that pink diamond. And the rose gold setting. The intricate band. So romantic.”

It was pretty. And Anna loved pink. “Um, so I order online?”

She huffed. “No, we’ll go to a jeweler, and you can have it made.”

“Probably a size six?” I guessed.

She sighed. “I wear a six and a half. She is a four.”

“Ah.”

“And she likes refined. Pretty. You get the best diamond you can. The very best.”

I looked at her. “And you’ll help.”

She tapped something on her phone, waiting briefly. Then she squeezed my arm. “We’ll go tomorrow. Finn will have lunch with her.”

“So, he knows now?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Tomorrow it is.”

Downstairs, I found Finn, Roman, and Aldo waiting for me. They had glasses of whiskey, and I helped myself to one.

“Please tell me this is a social visit,” I said. “I can’t take much more.”

Roman chuckled. “In a way, yes. Everything is fine. Done. The official report was arson. No known suspects. The case is closed.” He took a sip of his drink. “And the other is not an issue. It is as if they never existed, so we don’t have to speak of it again.”

“Good.”

He cleared his throat. “Now, on to happy things. First off, I hear congratulations are in order.”

I glared at Finn. “I haven’t asked her yet.”

“She’ll say yes. It’s just a formality,” Finn replied with a wave of his hand.

Roman grinned, exchanging a glance with Aldo.

“I’m here to offer a wedding gift—well, to you both now.”

Finn smiled. “Not necessary, but the thought is appreciated.”

“Hear me out.”

Finn nodded, waiting for Roman to speak.

“I know you’re headed to Ireland and you’re putting your official wedding off a bit.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re going to cover while he is gone,” he said to me.

“That’s correct.”

“I am offering you gentlemen Aldo.”

Finn and I looked at each other.

“As a houseboy or something?” I asked, teasing.

He laughed and Aldo grinned. “No. I am going to run the Niagara hotel. Aldo will come here and run this one, and you both go to Ireland. Vi will come with him, and you’ll provide a suite for them.

You go see Roisin and leave the bad memories behind you.

I think it would do you all a world of good.

Give Anna a chance to heal. Have some alone time away from all this. ”

Finn cleared his throat. “That is very generous of you, but?—”

Roman interrupted. “I want to do this.” He indicated Aldo. “ We want to do this.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Because we’re family now. Our women are friends.

Effie understands what Anna and Una have been through.

Her loving heart is breaking for Anna, and she wanted to do something.

She reminded me of the gift of time I gave Luca when he got married.

And Aldo. That gift was returned by them when Effie and I went away for a while. We needed it. I would say you need it.”

Finn looked stunned. “I don’t know what to say, Roman.”

“Say yes. We’ll agree on dates and move forward. I assume all is peaceful again in your territories?”

“Yes.”

“Great. Your men can handle things, and we’ll only step in if needed. Aldo will be here in case your management requires him, and you can take Una and Anna to Ireland. Whisk them to a castle or some other place. Indulge them. Indulge yourself. We’ll handle things here.”

“We’ll return the favor if ever needed.”

“It’s a gift, not a favor, but we’ll keep it in mind.” He stood, extending his hand. “Agreed?”

We took turns shaking hands. “Agreed.”

Una and Anna were baking cookies when we returned to the suite. I inhaled the scent of sugar and chocolate as we walked in. I bent and kissed Anna. “You look better,” I murmured.

Every day, she got a little stronger. Less pale and tense-looking. I was hoping the news we were about to share would make her smile.

“This is a treat,” I added, taking a cookie. “Delicious too.” I bit into the warm dough.

Finn hummed around his mouthful, as pleased as I was to see them looking happy and relaxed.

“I have some good news,” he announced.

“Do tell,” Una said, sliding the cookies into a canister.

He explained Roman’s offer, and I watched Anna carefully to see her reaction.

“I’ve never been to Ireland,” she said, clasping her hands. “Really?” She turned to me. “We could see your mum? I could meet her?”

They had spoken on the phone. FaceTimed as well. Mum already loved her, and I knew she’d be thrilled to meet her and welcome her to the family officially.

I nodded. “The best part is she could come back with us to be here for Finn’s wedding.”

Una clapped her hands in glee. “That is perfect!”

“We’ll spend time with Roisin and do a little traveling alone,” Finn said. “Roman is giving us three weeks.”

“Can we see London? I’ve always wanted to see London,” Una asked, her eyes bright with excitement.

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close and kissing her. “Yes.”

I looked at Anna, already knowing she wouldn’t want to be in a big city. “What about you?” I asked quietly. I had an idea, and I made a suggestion. “Would a quiet place in the country suit you?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “I’d prefer that.”

“I’ll make the arrangements.”

“When do we leave?”

“A week.”

Una grabbed Finn’s hand. “We have so much to do! We need to start planning.”

He grabbed another cookie on the way out. I turned to Anna, opening my arms, smiling as she nestled into my chest, her head pressed into her favorite spot.

“We’ll go and find some quiet spot to relax in,” I promised, already knowing the place. “You can recover, and I’ll be right beside you.”

She looked up, her eyes bright. “Loving me.”

I bent and kissed her.

“Always.”