Page 96 of The Moonstone Major
The night was dazzlingly clear, the stars in their diamond colors shimmering overhead while the moonstones glowed beneath the surface of the waves.
This was what the sea captain must have seen when he looked out into the starry expanse whenever he was home from his travels.
Fionn would never tire of this view, or of knowing he had only to turn his head to find the woman who was his happiness, his sanctuary, asleep in his bed. Chloe made all his years of pain simply melt away. They would find happiness here, no matter what happened between him and the Brennans.
He was ready to build a life here at Moonstone Cottage, a life and a family with Chloe beside him.
He did not think he had ever been happier than in this moment.
A movement at the top of the stairs leading down to the beach caught his eyes. Could it be? He saw two wisps of white that resembled a man and a woman, holding hands with each other.
Brioc and Henleigh.
The Moonstone ghosts.
He could not take his eyes off them.
Was he asleep and still dreaming?
He knew he was not. “Blessed saints, you are real.”
Indeed, Chloe had believed in them all along. They truly existed.
Chloe noticed he was not sleeping beside her and came out of their bed to stand with him. “Lost in your thoughts, my husband?”
She looked adorably sleepy and irresistibly tempting in the night rail she’d hastily donned that was falling off her shoulders. He wanted to sweep her up in his arms and make love to her again.
Lord, he was pathetically besotted.
He shook his head and smiled. “Look toward the beach stairs. We have some visitors.”
She followed his gaze, then grabbed his hand and gasped. “Fionn, it’s them!”
“I know, love. I can see them.”
“You can? How perfect!” She stared once more at their wispy forms. “They must be here to wish us well. Brioc looks happy…so happy. He has not only found the love of his life in my aunt, but has now rescued his nephew. This must give him the greatest joy.”
She waved to them.
He thought it was ridiculous to wave to ghosts as though they were friendly neighbors. But this was a Chloe thing to do, and he loved this about her. She accepted everyone, his ragtag friends, the Moonstone ghosts, and most of all him.
A gust of wind blew across the expansive lawn toward the water, and the wisps disappeared.
Chloe looked up at him in utter disappointment. “Oh, Fionn. They’ve gone.”
“It may only be for tonight.”
“No, I think it is forever.”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “But I am still here, and I fear we have not been nearly diligent enough in creating our offspring.”
She laughed. “Dear heaven, you are a naughty fellow.”
“Not at all, just trying to be a diligent husband,” he said with a chuckle, undoing the ties of her night rail.
She smiled and took his hand to lead him back to bed.
He needed no further encouragement. “Chloe, have you ever seen those moonstones shining so brightly?”
