by Niki Turner
Toulouse caught up with him. “She took off, didn’t she?”
He nodded, a lump in his throat.
“She thinks she doesn’t deserve you, can’t have a place in your world, with all your money and fancy things.”
Sebastian faced Toulouse. “That’s ridiculous.”
“That’s what I told her, but...” She shrugged. “I guess you’re going to have to prove it.”
Sebastian jerked the box out of his pocket and flipped it open. “Will this do?”
Toulouse’s eyes widened. “Oh, yes. Nicely done.”
“I’m glad it passes inspection. Now, where would she go? In fact, how did she get in? I saw you come through the front...”
Toulouse looked guilty. “She was afraid your grandfather would see the walking stick, so she went around the back and through the kitchen. She may have left the same way.”
Sebastian jogged down the steps without another word, plunging around the corner of the villa and into the long shadows of early evening. There. The faint light from an open door reflected off her dress as she made her way cautiously down one of the paths between the house and the garage. He heaved a sigh. She wasn’t gone yet. He could still talk to her, touch her, convince her that she was the right woman for him, no matter their differences.
He followed her, and when he touched her arm, she gasped and spun. The last rays of the setting sun framed her in gold and peach and rose. “You’re leaving?” He huffed like a runner after crossing the finish line.
She tossed her head with bravado, but Sebastian saw the tear tracks on her cheeks. “I did what I came to do.”
“You did, that’s true. But there are two things still unfinished.” A soft breeze rustled the garden foliage and wafted the sweet scent of white chocolate—courtesy of a nearby chinchin tree—through the air.
Her brows drew together. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“First, I have to apologize to you for telling you my last name was MacKenna. Not only did my lie put you in danger, it hurt your feelings. I’m sorry, and I’m begging you to forgive me.”
A soft breeze fluttered her hair around her face. He longed to reach out and brush it back, but held his hands steady at his sides, waiting.
“And the second?”
“You made me fall in love with you. And if you leave here now, the damage to my heart will be irreparable.” His voice broke on the last word.
Her mouth formed a perfect “O,” then softened into something that made hope flare in Sebastian's chest. His heart pounded as her lips firmed again. It seemed to take a very long time before she found her words.
“The first thing I can do something about. I forgive you, Sebastian. I didn’t tell you the truth either, and I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
He nodded quickly. “I forgive you."
“About the second thing…”
Sebastian took a step forward and interrupted her. "There’s something else...” He pulled out the small jewelry box, flipped it open, and took out the ring, holding it between his thumb and forefinger. The gems glittered in the rosy light. “This was my grandmother’s engagement ring. I’d like it to be yours, if you’ll have me.”
Tansy bit her lower lip, and Sebastian tensed.
“Our lives are so different, Sebastian, how can it work?”
He dropped to one knee and took her hand in his.
“When my mother fell in love with my father, they had even less in common than we have, but her love was strong enough to reach through time, across continents, to find justice for her husband, and to bring us together. The love that prompted my parents and grandparents to come to this country, to reach out to its citizens, is still at work here, we saw it at the church they helped found. Love, in its pure form, is invincible. You’ve proven that to me. I don’t want to spend my life resisting that love, or running from it, I want to jump into it with both feet, as you Americans say, and I’m starting now. I love you, Tansy Chastain, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Sebastian held his breath and waited. He’d never wanted anything so much as he wanted Tansy to agree to marry him.
She stretched out her hand and laid it along his jaw. “Yes. Yes, I believe I will,” she murmured.
The sun’s rays, dipping to the west behind her, turned red suddenly. Almost like the sky was filled with blood. Not the blood of past murder and heartbreak, but the blood of cleansing and forgiveness and life.
For a moment, they were both bathed in that red glow, then Sebastian slipped the ring on her finger, and twilight claimed the landscape.
Behind them, the silent semi-darkness erupted in noise. They broke apart and whirled around. Someone flipped a switch and strings of fairy lights came to life in the trees and bushes, illuminating the party guests, led by Sebastian’s grandparents and Toulouse. They applauded, faces wreathed in happy smiles, and Sebastian looked down at his bride-to-be.
“I feel like we should bow, or something.” Tansy’s face glowed with joy, brighter than the soft lights overhead.
“I have a better idea,” Sebastian replied. Without hesitation, he pulled her to him and captured her mouth in a kiss that promised a lifetime of love.
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