“Roman!” Christina cried, clutching at him.
He rose and ran toward Meghan. “To the cliff, hurry!” he yelled. “There’s a rope. Climb down.”
Christina raced for the bluff. She grabbed a coiled rope tethered to a spike in the ground that Meghan hadn’t seen and tossed it over the side.
Roman grabbed Meghan’s legs. He dragged her toward the edge. His fingers dug into her skin. Pebbles poked and scraped her back. She screamed, “No!”
The bindings around her wrists gave. She clawed at him.
A shot rang out.
Meghan screamed.
Roman dropped her legs. His body jerked backward, his feet coming off the ground. He landed faceup with a gaping hole in his chest.
Meghan struggled to her knees.
Strong arms lifted her to her feet.
Fresh fear jolted her system. She fought to be free.
“Meghan, honey, its me,” a familiar male voice said.
Ryan!
Relief flooded her. She sagged against him as sobs racked her body. “You’re safe.”
“I’m safe.” He hugged her tightly. “You’re safe. Roman’s dead. You don’t have to worry about him ever again.”
She pulled away from him and gazed into his eyes. “But Christina!”
“Didn’t get far,” he said, gesturing to where his brothers Douglas and Owen were hauling Christina back onto stable ground.
“Let me go,” Christina screamed.
“She killed Olivia and Burke.” Meghan hiccuped, her tears slowly drying. Ryan cut the ties at her ankles. “Roman was her brother.”
Ryan’s eyebrows rose. “Cooper was right. The family’s crazy.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” She clutched his shoulders. She could hardly believe he was real. “I was so afraid.”
“I was, too.” His hands spanned her waist. His touch was so tender, so comforting. “When I arrived at your house and saw that someone had broken in, I thought I’d lost you. I don’t ever want to lose you, Meghan. I love you.”
Delight exploded in her heart. “You do?”
“I do.” Contrition marred his brow. “Can you ever forgive me for acting like such a jerk?”
She cupped his face in her hands. She didn’t have to think about it, the answer came readily. “Yes, I can forgive you. I love you, Ryan Fitzgerald. More than I can possibly say.”
Joy spread across his handsome face. “You don’t know how happy that makes me feel.”
His lips captured hers. Hope filled her heart and love poured out as she returned the kiss with everything she had and more.
Two days later, rested and recovered from her ordeal, Meghan sat on the porch of her cottage waiting for Ryan. He’d called and told her that he was coming over. He’d sounded excited which made the waiting that much harder. They’d been inseparable for the past forty-eight hours except when he went home to sleep.
Each night Meghan dreamed of Ryan. Wonderful dreams full of what their life could be like. A house full of kids. Holidays spent together. Each morning she awoke anxious to see him.
She thanked God every moment for this second chance with Ryan. Only having Georgina in her arms would make her any happier.
Ryan’s rig rolled down the street.
Anticipation and pleasure propelled her to her feet. She bounded down the walkway as he parked.
He stepped out of the driver’s door. His expression brimmed with excitement. She flew into his arms. She would never tire of feeling his heart beat against hers.
“Come on,” he said, tugging her around to the passenger side. He opened the door and flipped up the seat. Secured in a booster seat in the rear passenger seat was Georgina. Smiling, Georgina kicked her feet and raised her arms for Meghan.
Meghan let out a cry of pure joy. She hurriedly unbuckled the toddler and scooped her into her arms. Georgina clung to her. Meghan kissed her sweet blond head and chubby cheeks as tears of happiness ran down her face. Meghan turned her teary-eyed gaze to Ryan. “How?”
“Dad. He pulled some strings.”
The hardness she had harbored toward Aiden softened. His kindness made her so happy.
“Is this just a visit?” she asked, barely daring to hope for more.
“Nope.” The tender look in his eyes curled her toes. “You’ve been awarded temporary custody until permanent and full custody can be awarded.”
Elated, Meghan held out her arm. Ryan stepped into her embrace. The three hugged in a tight clinch. They were a family. A bond that Meghan knew would never be broken.
EPILOGUE
The back room at Connolly’s Catch restaurant overflowed with excitement. Aiden Fitzgerald had been sworn in as mayor. The town had embraced Aiden, flaws and all. Just as she and Ryan had learned to do.
Ryan’s arms went around Meghan and he planted a kiss on her lips. This was an important moment for Ryan, as well. He would be sworn in as chief of police in a few days.
She knew this was his dream, everything he wanted. Now if only her dreams could come true.
Outside the first of the season’s nor’easters brought rain and wind to batter the windows. Enclosed inside the glass walls of the private room, Meghan held Ryan’s hand tightly. She was so happy for Aiden. Over the past few months, she’d gotten to know Ryan’s dad. He wasn’t a bad man, just one who’d made mistakes. Like everyone else did at times. In fact, she’d found herself liking him. He was kind, and so loving to Georgina.
Georgina ran up and hugged her legs before taking off again to chase one of the other many young cousins. Meghan watched the toddler weave her way through the crowd totally comfortable with everyone. Affection and love made Meghan feel all gooey inside. She’d been awarded full custody of Georgina.
She and Georgina were gloriously happy living in the cottage on the beach. Ryan visited every day. Her relationship with him was deepening and growing. Meghan hoped that one day they’d make their own little family unit.
“This is so exciting,” Merry said, placing her hand on her pregnant belly. “Even this little one is antsy tonight. Kicking up a storm.”
Douglas put his arm around his wife. “He’ll be a soccer player.”
Merry arched an eyebrow. “Or she.”
“Someone take these crab cakes,” Keira said, holding the plate away from her recently wedded husband. “Nick doesn’t need another one.”
“Pass them this way.” Charles reached for the plate.
“Hey, I’m not done with those,” Nick protested with a mock pout.
Keira laughed and kissed her husband. “You gotta keep your girly figure.”
“Ryan, rematch!” called Jamie Fitzgerald, setting his elbow on the edge of another table.
“Go on,” Meghan urged. “Give the guy a break.”
Ryan sauntered over, all swag and confidence, to arm wrestle his cousin. Meghan laughed.
“You’re good for him,” Fiona Fitzgerald said as she stepped up next to Meghan. Her engagement ring sparkled
