Unfortunately"-he pulled out his watch and flipped open the fob-"we have to do this quickly. The train

won't wait for us past six o'clock."

Movement turned their heads. Christopher and Brianna were standing in the doorway. "Are you two always this difficult?" Christopher asked.

Ryan's eyes darkly caressing her, he slid his hands up her arms and encased her shoulders with his palms.

"Always," they both answered together.

Rachel looked into his face. "But you gave up Ore Industries-""No, I didn't. Lord Bathwick negotiated a trade for his shares of D&B, and I sold him the rest. It's timeDonally & Bailey officially became Donally&Donally&Donally. Maybe together we can make adifference in Ireland, Rache."

"But-"

He curved his hands around her face and framed the soft tenderness of her jaw with his palms. "We cannot see into the future. We cannot know that everything will be all right and turn out as we plan. We

cannot keep questioning what we both know is right. I only know that wherever you go, I will go there, too, Rachel. I love you."

"I love you, too," she whispered.

She had always loved him.

Forever.

And in the golden glow of the setting sun, with Mary Elizabeth at his side and his family around them, they spoke their vows. Then he closed his mouth over hers, proving in more than words that there was ultimate triumph in surrender.

For no matter where they went, they were going home.

About the Author.

MELODY THOMAS is a wordsmith, a creator of dreams, and a passionate believer in happy endings. A product of thirteen schools and twenty-two moves stretching across the United States and Europe, she is a self-proclaimed gypsy. Her fascination with historical romance began when, in her teens, she visited the Tower of London and learned that Henry the Eighth had beheaded two of his wives. This was great fodder for her teenage imagination and the start of a love affair with history, intrigue, and irresistible heroes.

Melody now lives with her husband near Chicago and invites you to visit her website at www.melodythomas.com.

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