Page 95 of Taming Irish

Epilogue I

Makena

Six MonthsLater

“Wow,”Quinn says, tears in her eyes as she grips my hand. “You look beautiful. That dress is absolutelystunning.”

I designed it myself. Along with the bridesmaid dresses that Quinn, Emer, Delaney, and Bree arewearing.

“It’s not too much?” I ask, glancing in the full-length mirror and taking in the pale satin dress that hugs my waist and hips, flaring out around myknees.

“It’s perfect,” Emer says beside me, holding out a bouquet of white lilies for me totake.

We’re having a small ceremony. Just Shane’s family, and my mom and a few of my cousins. I didn’t want anything extravagant, which disappointed Agnus. But she seemed happy enough that Shane was finally settling down that she didn’t put up too much of afuss.

Standing in the master bedroom of the house Shane had built overlooking the lough, I can see the guests taking their places in the rows of chairs below me. The windows are one-way, giving us privacy, and allowing me a chance to observe the beautiful man who paces nervously in front of the makeshiftaltar.

I smile as I watch him, his fingers beating out a silent melody like they always do when he’s thinking. As if sensing me, he glances up, and a grin tugs at his lips. He can’t see me, but somehow, he knows I’m watchinghim.

My stomach does the little flip-flop thing it always does when that grin is directed at me, and I sigh, my heartfull.

“You look happy,” Emer says, standing beside me, her hands resting over the almost unperceivable babybump.

I thought Shane would have a slight fit when she announced she was expecting again, knowing his dreams of touring would be delayed further. But he’d been good about it, surprising me by teasing Owen and Bree about when they were going to join the ankle-biterclub.

Which I doubt will be anytimesoon.

Bree’s career is soaring right now, her newest single sitting at the top of the charts, and she’ll be gone with Owen for a few months on tour. I have a feeling they’ll wait until after it’s over before even thinking about starting afamily.

I glance over at the women in the room, and I know how lucky I am to have them all in mylife.

Agnus and my mom sit chatting away conspiratorially. In true Irish fashion, Agnus invited my mom to stay with her while she’s here. And I’m surprised by how much Agnus has been able to get her out of her shell. Shane told me that they had a night out at a pubrecently.

“I think my mom’s trying to convince yers to move in with her?” Emer had told me a couple of daysago.

“You’rekidding.”

“It would be good for both of them.” There’s something almost devious in the way she says it. “Mom needs someone around to help remind her to take her heart medication. And she’s really enjoying the company. And from what ye’ve told me, yer mom could use a little Irishhospitality.”

Emer wasn’t wrong. The two of them had grown close, and it would be nice to have her on the same side of the ocean asme.

I watch them now, heads together, laughing, and a grin pulls at my lips. I’m glad she’s finally found somehappiness.

“Here,” Bree says, approaching and handing me a small green box tied with a white ribbon. “I had this made foryou.”

“What is it?” I untie the ribbon and open the box, pulling out the small, sterling silver bracelet with a small charm onit.

“It’s the Dara Knot,” Bree says, taking it from me, then helping me place it around my wrist. “It’s represents family. Roots. Home. You’re part of our family now. I thought it wasappropriate.”

“Thank you.” I hug her, tears gathering in my eyes. “But I’ll never forgive you if you make me cry and ruin my make-up.”

Breelaughs.

“Neither will I,” Quinn says, looking terrified that I’ll spill a tear and ruin herhandiwork.

Both Emer and Ichuckle.

“I just got a text from Cillian,” Delaney says, handing Axel over to Agnus. “They’re ready. It’sstarting.”

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