Page 86 of Dangerous Obsession

Viking started back toward her but was waylaid by Beck and Gwen’s little girl, Alice. She had her chubby little hand up, asking him to dance. He reached down, scooped her up, and spun her around the dance floor.

Alice was five years old and fearless. And Marigold was pretty sure she had a crush on Viking. Not that she could blame her—he was pretty darn special.

She wasn’t sure music and dancing after a baptism was part of the tradition, but the pastor thought it would be a fun way to entertain the little ones. He was right. At some point during the day, most of them had been out there spinning around and doing their best version of breakdancing.

Watching Viking dance with little Alice brought Marigold so much joy—and made her ovaries do their own little happy dance. She looked forward to the day when their children would be out there bustin’ a move. They both definitely wanted kids, but there was no rush. Right now, they were enjoying each other and being cat parents.

Jonathan and Andi’s little three-year-old daughter, Ashling, sat next to her grandmother, sneaking bites of her cake when she wasn’t watching. Though Marigold was pretty sure Molly knew what her granddaughter was up to and didn’t mind one bit. After all, wasn’t it the grandparents’ prerogative to spoil their grandchildren?

Ashling was quite the handful on her own. You put her and her cousin together and watch out, world.

There were three O’Halleran grandsons. Ryan, two, who belonged to Beck and Gwen—who was preggers with her third. Caleb and Dawn’s son, Cade, who was ten months old. And Jonathan and Andi’s little one, Declan, was the youngest at only three months old.

After Cliff’s trial, Viking convinced her to get in touch with her brothers. At first, it had been like they were strangers, because they were. After a few minutes, they’d all relaxed and shared what was going on in their lives. She’d told them about Cliff, and they were angry and full of remorse for not being there for her. They agreed to speak often and said they would be at her wedding, no matter what. Talking to them again had been exactly what she needed, and it was all because of Viking.

Shortly after that, he’d taken her away for a long weekend and introduced her to his grandmother. Marigold fell in love with Eudoria instantly and could see how Viking became the noble, honorable man he was. She was gracious, kind, and had a sharp wit that kept everyone on their toes. And, boy, did she adore her grandson.

Marigold had also gone with him to the cemetery where his parents’ ashes were inurned. It had been an honor to be able to share something so personal with him.

Their last night there, they spent time at a little Irish pub near where he grew up, hanging out with some older men who’d been a huge part of Viking’s childhood. They’d all served in various branches of the military during World War II, Korea, or Vietnam. He credited them for making him appreciate the credo of sacrifice in service to others.

The pints had kept coming, and they’d happily shared hilariously embarrassing stories of the antics Viking got up to as a little boy. Marigold had laughed so hard, she almost peed her pants.

“What’s that grin about?” Viking strolled up to her and reached out his hand.

“I was thinking about your grandma and all of her friends.” She accepted his hand and rose from the chair. “You were so lucky to have grown up with their influence.”

“I was.” He tucked her hair over her ear. “Care to dance, future Mrs. Bailey?”

“What happened to your other dance partner?” She looked around the room.

“She got a better offer.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder at the table where Alice now sat next to her cousin.

“Let me guess … cake?”

“Yep. I’ve been replaced by a baked good.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and skimmed his lips over her knuckles. “Will you take pity on me?”

“I would love to.” She let him guide her to the center of the temporary parquet dance floor that had been installed.

He kissed her on the forehead—one of her most favorite things that he did—and she rested her cheek against his chest. They swayed to the slow song. Around them, the O’Hallerans and their partners did the same.

“Can you believe all of these amazing people are here?” Some of them flew in from Washington and California just to be there for Cole and Dulce on Carter’s special day.

“It’s simple—family is a priority. Speaking of family.” He tilted her chin up and repeated the beautiful words he’d said when he proposed. “I love you, Marigold Hartnett, and can’t wait to spend the rest of my life making you feel happy, safe, and loved.”

“I love you, too, and will spend the rest of my life makingyoufeel happy, safe, and loved.” And then she kissed her fiancé.

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