“I love you, Isabella.”
I hang up and pass the EMT his phone. “Thank you.”
He nods, slips the phone into his pocket, and continues monitoring my vital signs. When we reach the hospital, they take Phil and me to different rooms.
A doctor hurries in and smiles at me. “I saw that happen in real-time. Scared the hell out of me.”
“You and me both. I’m ten weeks pregnant.”
“Did you hit your head?”
How many times am I going to be asked that? “No.”
He feels around my neck. “You could have a bit of whiplash. And you have some bruising from the seatbelt.”
“I do?” I glance down and see the black and blue marks on my right shoulder. “Oh, wow.”
“That’s pretty standard for something like this. Are you cramping at all?”
“No.”
“I’m going to have you use the restroom so we know if you’re spotting. I doubt the baby is hurt at all, but we want to make sure.”
I nod and walk down the hallway to the restroom. I’m relieved that there’s no blood on the toilet paper.
When I go back to the room, Phil’s already in there.
“They let you go so soon?” I ask as I sit on the bed.
“Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with me,” he says with a smile. “Just shook up, is all. How are you feeling?”
“I’m bruised, but overall, not too bad. I’ll probably be sore tomorrow.”
“You and me both. We’re going back tonight, by the way. The station is sending the helicopter for us.”
“Oh, God, I have to ride in a helicopter in an ice storm?”
“It’s letting up now,” he says. “It’s moving south. Seattle didn’t get anything at all. This one wasn’t so bad. Aside from the whole near-death experience thing.”
“Well, good. Because I want to go home.”
“Me, too.”
They wouldn’t let me drive home. When we got back to the studio, we had to answer some questions, and then Roger gave me a ride home—even though it was two hours out of his way.
“I could have driven,” I say for the fiftieth time when he drives his Lexus SUV off the ferry.
“No,” he says. “You’re shaken up, and your commute is brutal enough as it is. We’ll get your car to you in the next day or so.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He pulls up at the front of the pub. “Here you are. If you need anything at all before we see you on Saturday, just let us know. I’m serious, Izzy.”
“I will.” I smile over at him. “Thanks for being so nice today.”
“You had a hell of a day,” he says. “And I’m responsible for you. I’m just relieved that you and Phil are safe and healthy.”
“Me, too.” I open the door and reach for my purse. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”
He waves, and I walk inside, surprised to find so many family members sitting in the pub. The mood is subdued, which isn’t unusual for a Sunday night, but it feels even more somber tonight.
It’s almost midnight. So much has happened in the past twelve hours, it boggles my mind.
“Izzy!” Maggie exclaims and runs over to hug me close. “Oh, thank God.”
I hug her back as the rest of the family descends on me, passing me around for hugs and kisses on the cheek.
Keegan pulls me close at last, and I lose it. The tears I’ve held in check all day start to tumble out of my eyes.
His strong hands rub up and down my back, and then he simply picks me up and sets me down on a chair. He doesn’t leave me. He holds me as I have a good cry. I hear people talking and moving about, but all I can do is sob.
“Ah, lass, you’re breaking my heart.”
That’s Frank’s voice. It makes me smile and cry at the same time.
These people are my family. All of them. Even Frank.
Finally, I pull back and accept an offered wad of tissues to dab at my eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”
“You had an emotional day,” Tom says kindly. “Of course, you have some tears to get out.”
“And hormones will do it, as well,” Fiona says.
I look up at Keegan in surprise.
“I didn’t tell,” Maggie says from somewhere behind Keegan. “I’m still the favorite.”
“It slipped out,” Keegan says, speaking for the first time, really. “I was freaking out a bit, love.”
“It’s okay.” I wipe another tear. “For just a moment, I thought I wouldn’t see you again. It’s why I turned the camera off as soon as we started going over. Because if I was going to die, I didn’t want you to watch it.”
“You are not going to die.” His voice is fierce as he cups my face. “I thought my heart might fall out of my chest when I saw it happening.”
“I don’t ever want to relive it.”
“You’re bruised,” he says, looking down to where my sweater has slipped to the side. “Is the baby okay?”
“We’re both fine. I’ll probably be a little sore for a couple of days, but it’s just some bruises, thank goodness. Phil is fine, too. We were lucky.”
He hugs me close again, relief radiating from him. “Thank God, you’re home.”
“I was so happy when Phil said we weren’t staying. I just wanted to see you. To see all of you.”
“Isabella,” Keegan says and clears his throat. “I want you to marry me.”
I stare up at him in shock. “Why do you always ask me these things when I least expect them?”
“I’m not asking.”
“Well, you should be,” someone calls out, making us both laugh.
“You’re right.” He lowers to one knee, and the room goes so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. “Isabella Harris, marry me. If today taught me anything at all, it’s that life is too precious, too valuable, to wait. I love you, and I know that love won’t ever go away. I want you with me always. To raise our children and build our life together.”
“Still didn’t ask,” Kane says.
“Will you marry me, then?”
I lean in and press my lips to his. “Yes. I’ll marry you, Keegan O’Callaghan.”
“We have so much to celebrate,” Fiona says as she wipes a tear from her eye. “Babies and weddings. Two of my favorite things.”
“I love you,” Keegan whispers to me. “Let’s do it next week.”
I laugh out loud and then shrug. “I’ll find us the best weather day, and we’ll go from there.”
Epilogue
~Izzy~
“How did we do this in six days?” I wonder aloud as Fiona fusses with my veil. I’m in a guest bedroom suite at Kane’s house, getting dressed for my wedding day. Soon, in just a few minutes, someone will drive me over to the ceremony site where Keegan and I plan to build our home.
“You had a fleet of women at your disposal, that’s how,” Fiona says as she steps back and looks me over with a critical eye. “You’re a beautiful bride, Izzy.”
I turn to the full-length mirror and smile. The dress is perfect. And better yet, I picked it out. Not my mother. Or even my father, for that matter.
Everything about today is exactly the way Keegan and I want it to be.
“I’m sorry that your mother isn’t here,” Fiona says and stands next to me, looking at me in the mirror.
“I’m not.” I take her hand and hold it tightly. “She and my dad were invited, and they declined. They’ve made it clear how they feel. And, honestly, Fiona, I’m okay with it. You’ve been more of a mother to me in the past few months than my mom ever was. It should be you here helping me get ready to marry your son.”
“I wasn’t going to cry,” she says and dabs at her eye. “At least, not yet. But I’m just so happy for my boy. He found the perfect young woman for him, and it makes a mother’s heart soar to see her son so happy.”
“Well, thank you for raising such a good man.”
“You guys being mushy in here?”
Maggie asks as she and Maeve walk inside. “Everyone’s over at the ceremony site, ready to go when you are, Izzy.”
“Oh, I’m ready.” I grab my bouquet and take a deep breath, relieved when I don’t feel like throwing up.
It seems I am getting past the worst of the morning sickness.
“Let’s do this, shall we?” The four of us walk down the stairs to the little ATV that’s waiting to give us a ride. When we get there, we’re laughing from how bumpy the ride was. Maeve, Maggie, and Fiona all give me hugs before they go find their seats.
“Thank you for walking me down the aisle.” I kiss Tom on the cheek and am delighted when he blushes.
“It’s an honor and a privilege, Izzy, my girl. Now, are you sure this is what you want to do? My Keegan is a fine boy, but he’s a stubborn one, as well.”
“Well, I can be stubborn myself. Yes, of course, this is what I want.”
“Good.” The music starts, and he pats my hand after I loop it through his arm.
As far as the weather goes, today was the best day. It’s partly cloudy with just the touch of a light breeze—and a one hundred percent chance of love.
As I walk down the aisle, I don’t see all of our closest friends and family around us, including the entire Montgomery family and their children. I don’t see the beautiful flowers and the arbor we managed to set up in record time. I don’t even hear the rush of the ocean behind us.
I only have eyes for one man.
Keegan’s eyes latch on to mine, and then they grow misty as he takes me in from head to toe. Every woman wants her groom to look at her just like this on their wedding day, and I’m not disappointed.
This, right here, is what I deserve. It’s what I need. And I didn’t find it in a stuffy church in Salem, Oregon, but rather on a little island in the Pacific Ocean with a handsome, wonderful Irishman.
“Okay, everybody, gather around! Single ladies!” I call out to all of the girls, and they form a half-circle behind me.
“Maeve, get a move on,” Maggie says, gesturing to her sister.
“What are we doing?” Maeve asks.
“Okay, get ready,” I say as I spin and then toss a smaller version of my bouquet over my shoulder. When I turn around again, I see that Maeve caught it.
“What in the hell?” she demands. “No. I didn’t sign up for this.”
“You came over here of your own free will,” Maggie says.
“I thought we were getting more cake. I don’t want this. I’m not getting married next. Here, Mary Margaret, you take it.”
“Nope, you caught it.”
Maeve turns to me. “Catch!”
She tosses it back to me, but I just laugh and immediately throw it back to her. “It’s yours now, whether you like it or not.”
“Well, shit.”
* * *
Are you excited for Maeve O’Callaghan’s love story! It’s coming this year, in Flirt With Me! You can read all about it, and find preorder links, here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/flirtwithme
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And don’t forget, With Me In Seattle MAFIA is just around the corner! Click here for more info: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/underboss
With Me In Seattle Character Glossary
With more than twenty stories in the With Me In Seattle Series, I figured it was time to include a who’s who in the world, listed by family. Please know this may contain spoilers for anyone who hasn’t read all of the books, but it’s a great reference for those who want to make sure they read about everyone.
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The Williams Family
Luke Williams – Hollywood movie producer. Married to Natalie Williams, a professional photographer. Parents to Olivia, Keaton, Haley and Chelsea. {Come Away With Me}
Samantha Williams Nash – Professional. Married to mega rock star Leo Nash. {Rock With Me}
Mark Williams – Works in Construction, for Isaac Montgomery. Married to professional dancer Meredith Summers. Parents to Lucy and Hudson. {Breathe With Me}
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The Montgomery Family
Steven and Gail Montgomery – Parents of Isaac, Matt, Caleb, Will and Jules. Steven is the father of Dominic.
Isaac Montgomery – Eldest sibling. Owner for Montgomery Construction. Married to stay at home mom Stacy Montgomery. Parents to Sophie and Liam. {Under the Mistletoe With Me}
Matt Montgomery – Detective with the Seattle PD. Married to Nic Dalton Montgomery, the owner and baker at Succulent Sweets. Parents to Abigail and Finn. {Tied With Me}
Caleb Montgomery – Navy SEAL. Married to Brynna Vincent Montgomery. Parents to Josie, Maddie and Michael. {Safe With Me}
Will Montgomery – Quarterback for the Seattle professional football team. Married to Meg McBride Montgomery, a nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Parents to Erin and Zoey. {Play With Me}
Julianne (Jules) Montgomery McKenna – Entrepreneur. Married to Nate McKenna, the co-owner of their joint business. Parents to Stella. {Fight With Me}
Dominic Salvatore – Illegitimate son of Steven Montgomery. Owns vineyard and winery. Married to event planner Alecia. Parents to Emma. {Forever With Me}
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Ed and Sherri Montgomery – Ed is Steven Montgomery’s brother. Parents to Amelia, Anastasia and Archer.
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Archer Montgomery – Eldest of the siblings. Real estate mogul. Married to Elena Watkins. {You Belong With Me}
Amelia Montgomery Crawford – YouTube sensation, makeup brand owner. Married to Wyatt Crawford, architect. {Stay With Me}
Anastasia Montgomery O’Callaghan – Wedding cake designer and baker. Married to Kane O’Callaghan, world-renown glass blowing artist. {Dream With Me}
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The Crawford Family
Melody and Linus Crawford – Parents of Wyatt, Levi and Jace.
Wyatt Crawford – (Mentioned above) – {Stay With Me}
Jace Crawford – Best cardiothoracic surgeon on the west coast. Married to veterinarian Joy Thompson Crawford. {Love With Me}
Levi Crawford – Detective for Seattle PD. Married to mega pop star, Starla. {Dance With Me}
The O’Callaghan Family
Tom and Fiona O’Callaghan – Parents of Kane, Keegan, Shawn, Maeve and Maggie.
Kane O’Callaghan – referenced above. {Dream With Me}
Keegan O’Callaghan – Owner of O’Callaghan’s Pub. Married to Isabella O’Callaghan, meteorologist. {Escape With Me}
Shawn O’Callaghan – Screenwriter. Married to Lexi Perry, novelist. {Imagine With Me}
Maeve O’Callaghan – Real Estate Agent {Flirt With Me}
Margaret Mary O’Callaghan – Youngest sibling. Widowed.
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The Martinelli and Watkins Family
Vinnie and Claudia Watkins – Deceased. Parents to Elena Watkins. Vinnie is the former boss of the mafia syndicate.
Carlo and Flavia Martinelli – Carlo is the current mob boss. Parents to Carmine, Shane and Rocco.
Elena Watkins – Referenced above. {You Belong With Me}
Carmine Martinelli – Eldest son. Mafioso. {Underboss}
Shane Martinelli – Middle son. Mafioso. {Headhunter}
Rocco Martinelli – Youngest son. Mafioso. {Off the Record}
* * *
Other Important People
Asher Smith – Former partner to Matt Montgomery. Now lives in New Orleans, married to Lila Bailey, a college professor. {Easy With You, a 1001 Dark Nights Novella}
Bailey Whitworth, Gray McDermitt, Kevin Welling – {Burn With Me}
Benjamin Demarco – Owner of Sound Fitness, a gym in downtown Seattle. Married to Sabrina Harrison. {Shine With Me, a 1001 Dark Nights Novella}
Noel Thompson – Interior decorator. Sister to Joy Thompson. Married to Reed Taylor, a financial advisor. Parents to Piper. {Wonder With Me, a 1001 Dark Nights Novella}
About the Author
Kristen Proby has published more than fifty titles, many of which have hit the US
A Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux and Big Sky series.
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Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats and dog.
Newsletter Sign Up
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Also by Kristen Proby:
Other Books by Kristen Proby
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The With Me In Seattle Series
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Come Away With Me
Under The Mistletoe With Me
Fight With Me
Play With Me
Rock With Me
Safe With Me
Tied With Me
Breathe With Me
Forever With Me
Stay With Me
Indulge With Me
Love With Me
Dance With Me
Dream With Me
You Belong With Me
Imagine With Me
Shine With Me
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/with-me-in-seattle
* * *
The Big Sky Universe
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Love Under the Big Sky
Loving Cara
Escape With Me Page 18