“I’m so sorry, Angie. I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. I tried to convince myself that a verbal commitment wasn’t necessary, that we both knew we would always be together, but that was wrong. A relationship needs a firm foundation in order to last and that requires clearly stating what that foundation is.”
He squeezed her hand. “I want this relationship to have the strongest foundation possible and that includes marriage.”
He brushed another kiss against her lips. “Marry me, Angie. Do me the honor of being my wife.”
“Yes…oh, yes! I’ll marry you.” She flung her arms around his neck. “I love you.” She had never been happier in her life and the future had never looked brighter.
“There’s only one thing left to do.”
She looked at him quizzically. “What’s that?”
“We have to tell Mac right away so he can get this entire thing settled in his mind and stop jumping down my throat in that over-protective big brother way of his.”
“You’re right. Let’s turn around and take the ferry back.”
He flashed a teasing grin. “And maybe get my car out of the restaurant parking lot before they have it towed away.” The grin slowly disappeared to be replaced by a look of total adoration. “I love you so much.”
She placed her hand against his cheek. “Forever.”
“Yes, forever.”
Epilogue
Angie replaced the phone receiver in the cradle, then turned toward Ty and Mac. “Well, Mom cried, then said we had to start immediately on wedding plans even though we haven’t set a date yet. She’s envisioning a large ceremony with the invited guest list equaling the population of Portland.”
Mac scrunched up his face. “Ouch! That sounds expensive.”
“Yes, and much too elaborate for my tastes. Ty and I have discussed it and we both want a small, simple wedding—”
Ty quickly added his thoughts. “And a month-long honeymoon.” He turned his attention to Mac. “That’s going to leave you solely in charge of everything until we get back.” He flashed a teasing grin. “You know, all those people things that you always try to avoid.”
“I’ll manage to muddle through.” Mac paused as if a thought had just occurred to him “—but you can’t be gone any longer than a month.”
“I hate to interrupt the wedding and honeymoon discussion,” Angie said, her gaze darting between Mac and Ty, “but I’d like to change the topic.”
She adopted a very businesslike persona. “We have company expansion plans to deal with, decisions that need to be made so that we can go forward smoothly with as little disruption to the work flow as possible.”
A soft chuckle escaped Mac’s throat. “I knew you were going to be a tough taskmaster. You haven’t been a partner in this for even a week yet and already you’re calling the shots.” His expression turned all business. “All right, boss. What do you suggest we do first?”
Angie shot a teasing grin toward her brother. “My first executive decision is to declare it lunchtime. I’m hungry and you’re buying!”
Mac beamed at his sister. “It will be my pleasure.”
Ty pulled her into his arms. “That was an excellent decision, Mrs. Farrell.”
“I’m not Mrs. Farrell yet.”
“I know, but I like the way it sounds.” Ty brushed a soft kiss against her lips.
Angie’s whispered words were for Ty’s ears only. “So do I.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7685-1
IN FORBIDDEN TERRITORY
Copyright © 2005 by SKDENNISON, INC.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
Visit Silhouette Books at www.eHarlequin.com
In Forbidden Territory Page 16