Page 196 of Beat of Love
“I know,” Raff replied, meeting her gaze over Connor’s shoulders.
Connor pushed back, his hands gripping Raff’s shoulders as he stared intently. “We’re safe now?”
Rafferty nodded. “We’re safe.”
“Good.” Connor twisted in Rafferty’s arms and stretched out an arm toward the lawn. “We’re teaching Nolan to play soccer.”
At fifteen months, the toddler could barely walk. Rafferty raised a brow. “And how’s that going?”
Connor let out a dramatic sigh. “Tragically.”
Brandy swallowed back a laugh.
“He’s still a little guy,” Rafferty said dryly. “Guess you’ll just have to be patient with him.”
Connor nodded with enthusiasm. “I teached Nadie. She’s good.”
“Better get to it, then.” Rafferty let him go.
“Uh-huh!” Connor spun around and dashed back across the grass.
“The resilience of that boy amazes me,” Rafferty murmured.
“And that’s because of you,” Brandy said softly. “Kids don’t need much — just love, food, and safety. You’ve given them all three.”
His expression turned serious as he reached for her arms, mirroring Connor’s earlier gesture. Holding her gaze, he said, “I dragged you into this, Brandy-Lyn, without giving you a real chance to step back. Are you sure you’re okay taking on me, Connor, and Nadie? Yours are nearly grown. And now I’ve brought two little ones into your life.”
She smiled, quiet but sure. “I like kids. Starting over wasn’t part of the plan… but then again, life rarely asks first.”
“Marry me.”
She blinked, let out a soft laugh, and wiggled her left hand. “Pretty sure we already settled that.”
“I mean soon,” he said, voice low but certain. “Before Sullivan’s wedding.”
She knew there were a million practical reasons to wait, but for the life of her, she couldn’t think of a single one that mattered more than agreeing.
“Okay,” she said softly. “But I need at least four weeks.” She smiled, eyes glinting. “A girl’s gotta find the right dress.”
Rafferty’s grin was instant. He leaned in and kissed her, slow and sure, like a promise sealed.
Arm in arm, they made their way to where his parents and Mammy sat at the edge of the lawn; a low table with the remains of a meal behind them.
“It’s done,” Rafferty said, answering their questioning gazes.
There would be time later — Jon would press for details — but for now, those two words were enough.
Richard, with Nolan in his arms, ambled over. Brandy met him halfway, still uneasy about his presence.
“Branna invited me to lunch,” he said quickly, correctly interpreting her raised brows.
Nolan whimpered softly, and Richard rubbed a hand over his back. The little one lay his head on his father’s shoulder and closed his eyes.
Her earlier words — love, food, and safety — echoed in her mind, and her heart softened toward the man standing before her. Yes, he’d treated her badly, and karma had delivered its blow, but he was choosing to rise above it.
“He’s plain tuckered out,” she said, tipping her head toward the sleeping child.
Richard glanced down, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Yes. He loves company.” His gaze shifted to the kids ambling back to the table. “Having Nolan …” He exhaled, long and deep, then looked back at her. “It’s made me realize how much I missed by … by acting likemyfather. And for that, I’m truly sorry, Brandy.” Regret threaded through every word.
