“I thought we’d settled things between us over you and Ma,” Mick said, really wishing he’d been ten minutes quicker about getting away from home this morning. An oddly meandering call from his mother had kept him here. He wondered now if that was a coincidence.
“Something’s changed,” Dillon said, looking him straight in the eye. “Since I’ve always thought the direct approach to be the best, I’ll be blunt about it. I’ve asked her to marry me, Mick, and she’s said yes. I’ve come here to tell you that I love her, that I’ve always cared for her and that I’ll be good to her. There’s no woman who’s as special as Nell, but you know that.” He kept his gaze steady. “So I’ve come to ask for your blessing.”
Mick felt as if all the air had been sucked right out of him. He wanted to be the kind of son who put his mother’s happiness first. He really did. But the thought of her marrying this man, perhaps moving to Ireland, yanked the heart right out of him, as it would from the entire family. How could they watch Nell leave and do nothing to stop it?
“I’ve left you speechless,” Dillon said, a smile on his lips. “I should probably take some pride in that.”
“Oh, I’ve quite a lot I want to say,” Mick began, then tried to calm his temper. He had to do what he knew his mother would want him to do. He had to be a better man than perhaps he was.
“Congratulations!” he said eventually, proud that he hadn’t stumbled over the word. He thought he’d even managed to put a reasonable amount of sincerity behind it.
Now it was Dillon’s turn to look stunned. “That’s it? We’ve your blessing, just like that?”
Mick smiled. “I know I’ve fought this far longer than reasonable and in ways I shouldn’t have,” he told Dillon. “But this is obviously what Ma wants, and I would never deny her anything that truly matters to her. More people should be as blessed as I’ve been to have someone like her as a mother. She was right by my side when Megan left. She looked after my children. I owe her, and goodness knows, she deserves all the happiness she can find.”
He sighed, then admitted, “My worries are more for the rest of us than for her. I know you’ll make her happy.”
“I wouldn’t be doing that if I tried to take her from here,” Dillon said. “From the moment I arrived, I could see how important not just her family, but also this community, are to her.”
Mick sat up straighter, feeling hopeful. “Are you saying that you’ll live right here in Chesapeake Shores?”
Dillon nodded without hesitation or any hint of regret. “I believe that’s what Nell wants and, like you, I can’t deny her anything. When everything’s settled, I’ll speak to Connor about any legalities that need to be managed. Nell and I will travel to Ireland when and if we can, but I have a feeling at least some of my family will be right here, so it will be reason enough for the others to come.”
“You’re referring to Moira and Luke,” Mick guessed. “That does seem to be progressing rather well.”
Dillon smiled. “Especially given the rocky start of it and a few more recent bumps in the road. Despite all that, I’m hopeful.” He regarded Mick curiously. “Has she won you over yet?”
Mick laughed. “I have to say that, surprisingly, she has. And Megan can’t sing her praises enough. I don’t know if Luke has worked his magic on that temper of hers or if she’s mellowed, but she’s a different woman now.”
“Thank the heavens for that,” Dillon said with obviously heartfelt emotion. His expression sobered. “Will you tell your mother you approve of us getting married? She’ll want to hear it directly from you before we let anyone else know.”
Mick nodded at once. “I’ll walk back to her cottage with you now. There’s no need to keep her in suspense. In fact, I’m a little surprised she’s not out in the garden hiding amid the rosebushes trying to eavesdrop.”
“She could be, for all I know,” Dillon said with a chuckle, “though we did agree I’d do this on my own.”
“You’re a brave man.”
“Not really. Your love for Nell shines through in everything you do, even when you were busy misjudging me and my intentions. How could I not admire and respect a son who has so much devotion to his mother?”
“Then let’s go and set her mind at ease,” Mick said, then grinned. “Or should we take our time and let her wonder if I’ve tossed you off the cliff?”
“I don’t think unnecessary worry is called for,” Dillon chided.
“I’ll want to throw the two of you a proper engagement party,” Mick said as they walked toward his mother’s cottage. “The diplomatic question will be if it’s to be at Jess’s inn or Luke’s pub.”
“We could always have the engagement party at one and the wedding reception at the other,” Dillon suggested.
Mick smiled at the compromise. “No wonder you and Ma get on so well. You both have a tendency to be peacemakers. In this family, someone has to do it. I’m glad to know that Ma will finally have backup. She’s had to handle the duty all on her own for too long. It hasn’t always been easy.”
“She’ll have that and more from me,” Dillon promised.
And for all his doubts and concerns, Mick finally felt reassured that this wedding truly would be a blessing.
As they continued on toward Nell’s cottage, he slanted a look toward Dillon. “I’ll not be calling you Dad, you know.”
Dillon laughed. “And if you try welcoming my Kiera as a sister, who knows what she’d be likely to do. She’s not the easiest woman, you
