Page 138 of The Girl Who Knew Too Much

“Yes,” she said. “I like it here. It’s not as though there is any place else that feels like home.”

“Does Burning Cove feel like home?”

“I think,” she said, choosing her words with care, “that under the right circumstances, Burning Cove could definitely feel like home.”

“Let me be more specific. Do you think that Casa del Mar could feel like home?”

The weight of caution descended on her. Her future was hanging in the balance. She had to be certain that she understood exactly what Oliver was offering.

“Are you inviting me to move in as a permanent houseguest?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“No,” she said. “It’s not what I want.”

His eyes turned bleak. “I see.”

“Was it what you wanted?” she asked.

“No.” His voice hardened with pain. “What I want is for you to move in as my wife. But I figured it was too soon to ask you to marry me.”

“It’s not,” she said.

He looked startled. “It’s not too soon to ask you to marry me?”

“Not if you love me.”

“Why in hell would I ask you to marry me if I didn’t love you?”

“I have no idea. But I need to be sure. Because I love you.”

“Irene—”

She gave him a tremulous smile. “Actually, it’s Anna. Anna Harris.”

“Irene—Anna—call yourself whatever you want. I love you and I will keep on loving you, whether you move in with me or not.”

Joy blossomed deep inside her. A moment ago she had been feeling giddy with success and the promise of a job that gave her an excuse to stay in Burning Cove. But now she was beyond delighted. She was thrilled. Intoxicated with happiness. Lighter than air.

She tightened her arms around his neck. “I would like very much to marry you and move in with you on a permanent basis.”

He tightened his hold on her. “It will be permanent. Forever.”

“That sounds very good. Perfect, in fact.”

“Just one question.”

“Yes?”

“Do I call you Anna or Irene?”

She smiled. “I found a new life here in California as Irene. I’ll stick with her.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Besides, it’s the name on my byline.”

Oliver laughed. He sounded like the happiest man on earth. He kissed her there in the golden light of a California day, and for the first time since she was fourteen years old, she knew she could plan a future filled with love and a family of her own.