Page 18 of Filthy Rich

She glowed with a love that shone so brightly I had to blink. “As husband and wife, Brooke darling. Herman has asked me to marry him and I’ve accepted.”

Deep breath in. Deep breath out. “Oh. My. God. Nan! I’m so happy for you both. It’s really the most lovely news I could ever hear. Congratulations, you two.”

I hugged them both in turn, first Nan and then Herman, feeling the tears rise up violently in a surge I couldn’t tamp down. This loss of control happened to me in emotional situations, so it wasn’t a surprise to me at all. And it was totally unwelcome at a happy time such as the announcement of a marriage. Mortifying.

I was in good hands, though. Herman and Nan both seemed to understand my weakness when each of them opened an arm to me.

I fell in between them and wept until the overwhelming urge passed almost as quickly as it had come.

I’d never had this problem before my fatal mistake. I hadn’t cried at the drop of a hat or in situations where happiness ruledbeforethe accident that changed my life. Changed it for the better…and also for the worse. Duality. A situation where the line between good and bad could not exist because it was both.

And I had to live with it for the rest of my life.

I pulled myself together and gave them a huge smile that I truly felt all the way down to the depths of my heart, and said, “I suppose this means there is a wedding to plan.”

“Can you pull one together in a few weeks?” Herman had quite the twinkle in his deep blue eyes. He appeared to be one eager bridegroom, and I had to suppress a giggle at the thought. Nope. Not going there. Thoughts of my grandmother and her fiancétogethercould just go right on out of my head. Oh, my God. My nan had a fiancé!

“I’ll need some help, but I know just the person to make it happen,” I told him.

“Eduardo?” Nan asked.

I nodded. “He would be so honored and will make it magical for you, Nan, I know it.”

“Sounds wonderful, my darling. Now, please, let’s talk about you.” She reached for my hand and rubbed her thumb over the top slowly. “How does this all sit with you? I know you came back to help me when I needed it, but I want you to be honest with me now when I ask you if you’re comfortable living alone at the cottage?”

“Yes, Nan, of course. I’ve been alone in the cottage for the last five mon?—”

“Let me finish, please, my lovely girl.” She gave me that stern look of scolding I’d known for years. “I’ve discussed it with Herman and he would love to welcome you to live with us in his home if you want to.”

She was worried about me living alone in the cottage, afraid I wasn’t ready to handle the isolation. Yet. But she didn’t need to. I craved it actually. It was exactly what I needed.

“You two are so adorable, and I thank you for the kind and generous offer, though I wouldn’t dream of intruding on newlyweds who’ve waited a lifetime to be together. I will be perfect in the cottage by myself. It is perfect for me.”

“Then it is yours, darling. Herman will see to it the deed of trust is transferred into your name.”

“Already in the works, my dear.” Herman winked. “You own a piece of the island now, Brooke.”

“I do?” I felt tears welling again.

“Free and clear,” he said. “The property value has increased quite a bit from when your grandfather bought it forty years ago, obviously. The house is small, but the view is what counts and you have a beauty up there on the hill above the Fairchild Light.”

“I love the view so much,” I whispered, suddenly at a loss, and completely overwhelmed.

“It appraised at just over two million, but with some renovations that would increase nicely, depending what you want to do with it, of course.” Herman nodded his head, happy to be the bringer of good news.

“Two—two million dollars?”

Herman laughed and patted my hand. “Two point two five to be precise.”

“You’ve both shocked the hell out of me—in a good way mind you—but I had no idea about any of this. I’ve been so worried about the money I was going to ask you, Herman, about taking out a loan on the equity to pay medical bills.” I was lightheaded with relief.

“That’s not your worry anymore, my dear. Everything is paid in full, and my Ellen is going to marry me,” he said, before giving Nan another kiss to her hand, and making her blush beautifully. “It’s only about thirty-five years too late but I will take it gratefully.”

What a wise man Herman Blackstone was. Take your happiness when it comes. It was good advice I mustn’t forget. When—If…happiness graced my life again. Possibly not of the romance variety for quite some time, but that was okay. Time on my own was exactly what my heart needed.Joy instead of sadness.

I’d been so worried about Nan being alone. But I didn’t need to worry about her anymore. I could focus on getting my life back. It felt like a huge weight was lifted from me, and I barely knew what to do with such a light heart.

“Dinner is served,” Lilah announced as she rolled a cart into the room, breaking the spell of disbelief that had me wondering if I would wake up from this dream any moment and be thrust back into the cold harshness of reality.

---