“Luke…” She couldn’t say anything else, her throat was so tight.
“You don’t have to ask,” he said. “You know why? Because you already know the answer. You know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You know I love you with all my heart.” He touched two fingers to her chest. “You know it here, in your own heart.”
“You’re a romantic, Luke Jackson.”
He smiled. “Worthy of a Regency hero.”
“Those thighs of yours would never fit in those slim Regency trousers.”
He eased his arms around her. “Seeing how we were nearly blown up by a crazed would-be killer, we won’t be on a flight back to Texas tonight. It’s nice here. Peaceful.”
“I can’t smell the smoke from the IED here, can you?”
“Not at all. The state police would like us to stick around for another day if we can. I like the idea of a couple of days here on our own. I talked to the owners. They’re cool with it.”
“It sounds perfect.” Ellen took in his blue eyes, his strong jaw. “You haven’t asked me if I love you with all my heart and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Do I have to ask?”
She didn’t hesitate. “No. You know the answer.”
“I’ve been meaning to get to this for the past week. I haven’t because your mind has been elsewhere—on your sister, and rightly so. I’ve loved you since you cursed at me when you found out the good-looking guy who’d just bought you a margarita was another Texas Ranger.” He tightened his hold on her. “Ellen Galway, will you marry me?”
She felt tears hot in her eyes. “Yes—yes, Luke Jackson, I will marry you.”
“Good, because when your father and uncle find out we’re spending the weekend here, they aren’t going to believe we’re staying in separate bedrooms.” He kissed her softly, slipping a simple diamond ring on her finger. “I love you, Ellen.”
“We’re forever, Luke. I knew it from the start but didn’t trust my own instincts. I tried to make a run for it. Ah, Luke. I love you so much.”
He kissed her again. “Shall we try out those kayaks and see if we can come across a loon?”
She smiled. “One with feathers.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were paddling side by side in the clear water of the Adirondack lake. The sunset glowed orange, striking Ellen’s diamond. She laughed, dipping her paddle into water and splashing Luke in his kayak. “You came up here with the ring.”
He grinned. “Just figured that out?”
“You were testing me.”
“Gauging the situation, like a good prosecutor would.”
“You knew I’d say yes before you asked me to marry you. You’re not a prosecutor.”
They paddled back to shore, jumping out their kayaks. Luke swept her into his arms and carried her to the cabin. She sank her head against his chest. She had no thoughts of the past, only of her future with this man she loved, starting with the next few hours.
About Carla Neggers Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels, including her popular Sharpe & Donovan and Swift River Valley series. While “Secret Hideaway” stands on its own, this short novella is the long-awaited sequel to The Cabin, Jack and Susanna Galway’s story, and Stonebrook Cottage, Sam Temple and Kara Galway’s story.
A frequent traveler, especially to Ireland, Carla and her husband divide their time between Boston and their home on a hilltop in Vermont, where she is at work on her next novel.
For more information, and to sign up for Carla’s newsletter, please visit her at www.CarlaNeggers.com. You can also find her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/carlaneggers and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/carlaneggers.
ENJOY A SNEEK PEEK AT KEEPER’S REACH, THE EXCITING NEW NOVEL IN THE SHARPE & DONOVAN SERIES FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR CARLA NEGGERS
When she reached her tiny apartment, Emma Sharpe heaped her coat, hat and gloves on a chair and kicked off her boots. She sat on her couch in the living room and dialed up Oliver York on her laptop on her coffee table.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said.
Oliver peered at her from across the Atlantic. A thick, dark blond curl flopped onto his forehead as he leaned closer to his screen. “What happened to your hair, Emma?”
“Hat head.” She had no intention of telling him about trying on wedding dresses.
“It’s cold in Boston?”
“Yes. Where are you?”
“My London flat.”