together would be anything but beautiful."
She framed his face with her hands, took that picture into her heart.
"Before I answer, I need to know that this is what you want, not just
for me but for yourself."
"I want a family. I want to build what my parents built, and I need to
build it with you."
Her lips curved slowly. "I'll marry you, Ethan. I'll give you my
daughter. I'll make children with you. And we'll take care of each
other."
He drew her close, just to hold, while the sun slipped away and the
light shimmered into evening. Her heart beat quick and light against
his. Her single quiet sigh echoed seconds before the whippoorwill began
to sing in the plum tree next door.
"I was afraid you weren't going to be able to forgive me."
"So was I."
"Then I figured, hell, she loves me too much. I can get around her." The
laugh rumbled out as he nuzzled her throat. "You're not the only one who
can reel somebody in like a damn rockfish."
"Took you long enough to bait the hook."
"If you take your time about things, you end up with the best at the end
of the day." He buried his face in her hair, wanting the scent and the
texture. "Now, I've got the best. Good, solid stoneware."
Laughing, she leaned back so she could see his eyes. The humor there,
she thought, was aimed at both of them. "You're a smart man, Ethan."
"Few hours ago you said I was stupid."
"You were." She pressed a noisy kiss on his cheek. "Now you're smart."
"I missed you, Grace."
She closed her eyes and held tight, thinking it was a day for
forgiveness. And hope. And beginnings. "I missed you, Ethan." She
sighed, then gave the air a puzzled sniff. "Peanuts," she said and
snuggled against him. "That's funny. I could swear I smell peanuts."
"I'll explain it to you." He tilted her head up for one soft kiss. "In a
little while."
Turn the page for a preview of
INNER HARBOR
Nora Roberts's trilogy about the lives and loves of three brothers
continues with a captivating new novela
Phillip Quinn would always remember the generosity of the couple who
took him in and gave him a second chance at life. And he vowed to keep
his promise to his father by helping to raise young Seth. Even through
the difficult times, the Quinn family had never been so strong. Until
Phillip falls in love with a beautiful woman who holds a secret that
could destroy everythinga
phillip quinn died at the age of thirteen. Since the overworked and
underpaid staff at the Baltimore City Hospital emergency room zapped him
back in less than ninety seconds, he wasn't dead very long.
As far as he was concerned, it was plenty long enough.
What had killed him--briefly--was two .25-caliber bullets pumped out of