Page 79 of Refuge for Ailsa

“Why?”

“I heard you tell the doctor that you were gonna marry me. I figured I might as well go ahead and get everything set up, seeing as how you ruined my proposal with that little announcement.”

“No. I didn’t. I still want you to propose.”

He chuckled. “Okay, then. I will.”

“The sign by the gate.” She tipped her head downward and looked up at him from under her brows. “Did you already change the sign to say MacDougal’s Marina and Resort?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re gonna have to change it.”

“Why?”

“Because,” she said as she stepped up to him and took his face in her hands. “It needs to say Stewart-MacDougal Marina and Resort.”

“Don’t you think that’s a very long name?”

“Yeah. So let’s shorten it to Stewart Marina and Resort.”

“You sure about that?”

Ailsa leaned in and whispered against his lips, “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

The kiss she gave him erased any doubts he’d had. She was back, better than ever. And that kiss…

That kiss sealed the deal, and he knew he’d spend the rest of his life protecting her from the storms of life. He’d be her refuge. And she’d be his home.

* * *

“Come in!Come in! Welcome to our home.” Ailsa was beaming, and Tavish loved it. They’d finished the renovations downstairs in record time, and she’d insisted on having an open house, even though he wanted to wait until the whole thing was done. Somehow a huge hole in the wall that led to nothing, also known as the “future laundry room,” didn’t make a big splash, but she’d only invited family and a few friends. Harley and his wife, Rachel, were there, as were Josh and his wife, Brooke. Maureen had helped her for two days with the food, and Maeve had insisted on helping. Everyone laughed and ate, and he couldn’t be prouder. Ailsa was glowing, and she was proud of their semi-finished home. He couldn’t ask for better.

Then the door opened and he wondered what the hell was going on. Bonnie and Pete stepped inside, and Ailsa strode straight up to them. “Come on in! Drinks and food. Help yourselves.” Tavish didn’t see what they did next. He retreated to the kitchen as fast as he could, fuming.

His thoughts ground to a halt with Ailsa’s voice. “Tav, you need to get out there and greet our guests.”

“They’re not my guests. Did you invite them?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Why would you do that?”

“Why wouldn’t I do that? They’re your parents.”

“You know how it?”

“Sweetheart?” She stopped him with that one word. “Look, you need to make peace with them. You won’t ever be close, but you should at least be able to get along for Maureen’s sake.”

“Did Maureen put you up to this?”

“No, she absolutely did not. It was me?all me. And besides,” she said, grinning from ear to ear, “don’t you think it’ll be fun seeing their faces when they look around this hovel?”

Tavish leaned back against the big farmhouse sink and pulled her into his arms. “Now that you mention it?”

“Tavish?” He peered around Ailsa’s shoulder to see his mother standing there. “Son, I just wanted to tell you that this looks very nice. You’ve done a good job.”

He leaned until Ailsa’s head was between him and his mother and stared into his fiancée’s eyes. “I think I’m hallucinating.”

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