The Windsprite was slipping into the harbor.
“No, Father, you cannot force her to return. You promised you’d give her to me. Well, I want her to be free. Promise you’ll emancipate her.”
“Hush, hush. It’s already done.”
“It is?”
He nodded. “Her husband is captain of the Windsprite now, and they have decided to settle here in Key West.”
“But if he’s captain of the Windsprite, what is Rour—Captain O’Malley to do?”
Sometime during the conversation, Rourke had joined them. “Command this schooner when I’m not ashore.”
She looked from the schooner to the Windsprite to her father and at last to Rourke. “But how? How did you get another ship, and why is my father with you?”
“That’s why I went to Harbour Island, to make a business proposition,” Father said.
“Charlie said you left on business, but I still don’t understand.”
Rourke took over. “I’ve wanted to leave wrecking for some time now. I had saved a good sum, and the award from the Victory added to it, but I still needed a bit more to build a warehouse and set up a shipping operation. That’s where your father stepped in.”
Her jaw dropped. “You’re partners?”
Father shook his head. “I’m only an investor. My share of the settlement for the Victory provided just the amount Captain O’Malley needed to purchase this schooner and build a warehouse.”
She looked at Rourke. “You’re the one building the new warehouse?”
He laughed. “Actually, your father hired the work crew and set things in motion.” He pointed toward shore. “Did you notice the sign?”
She squinted into the sun. Beneath the peak of the roof, large letters had been painted on the wall of the second story. “O’Malley. Then it truly is yours.”
“That’s my understanding.”
“But why, Father? You never liked Rourke. What changed your mind?”
Her father looked uncomfortable. “Now, that’s not quite right. Rourke was a good friend to your brother the last few years. I just had difficulty seeing him as a son-in-law.”
“I see.” For all his change of heart, that had not changed.
“Look at me, Lizzie.” Father lifted her chin. “I did this because he loves you and you love him. You do, don’t you?”
She had never thought to hear such words from her father. “But you refused to listen to me whenever I brought up his name.”
“I was a fool.” Father cleared his throat again. “We, uh, came to an understanding.”
“Understanding?” She realized she was echoing what he said, but this was so surprising she could not find words.
Rourke took her hand, and before she even knew what was happening, he dropped to one knee. “Miss Elizabeth Benjamin. Last month I promised to return to you. On that day I also gave you my grandmother’s wedding ring as a pledge for the future.”
She touched her throat. The ring had become a part of her these past weeks, but she had not dared to believe this could happen. “Are you—?”
Rourke grinned. “I believe I’m supposed to take the lead on this.”
Her cheeks heated, and not from the sun.
He gave her a little wink of encouragement, and the twinkle in his eye sent her insides fluttering in the most wonderful way.
“Miss Elizabeth Benjamin, will you consent to marry me following a proper courtship?”
“Yes! Oh yes.” He might have had more to say, but she would not wait one second in case he or Father changed their minds. “But must it be proper? Might we hurry it a bit?”
Rourke looked shocked, but her father chuckled.
She drew another breath. “Wait until Anabelle hears. And Caroline and Charlie and, oh, Aunt Virginia.”
“Will you at least give me time to put the ring on your finger?” Rourke said with what she hoped was exaggerated exasperation.
“Of course.” She pulled the ribbon from around her neck and handed it to him.
He held the ring and snapped the ribbon.
“In a hurry, Captain?” her father said.
“I have waited four years.” Rourke slipped the ring on her finger. “I can’t wait a day longer.”
He swept her into his arms right there on the docks, despite her tangled hair and dusty skirts. He gazed deep into her eyes, and then he kissed her with such passion and promise that it erased every heartache of the last four years. Hope unfurled far inside and blossomed outward until she could not bear the joy.
“Ahem.” Father loudly cleared his throat. “We are in public.”
Elizabeth reluctantly broke the kiss, but she would not leave Rourke’s arms. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
“Never?” But Rourke’s stern question was paired with a grin. “Do you propose to take the helm when I head to sea?”
She laughed. “Perhaps I shall.”
“She’s a lot to handle.”
Elizabeth wasn’t sure if he meant her or the ship.
He must have read her mind, for he laughed and then turned her around. “But she has a good name.”
She blinked back tears as she breathed it aloud. “Redemption.”