The five days between his departure on Sunday and his return trip for Hunter’s wedding helped to clarify a few things for Mary. First and foremost, she wanted to be with Patrick, even if that meant upending her entire life to make it happen. She had always played it safe, and that had gotten her a satisfying if not overly exciting life. Patrick had changed everything, and there was no going back to who she’d been before him.

This week had dragged, every minute feeling like another hour she had to get through before she could be with him again. So when she heard the roar of his helicopter on Friday afternoon, her eyes filled with tears and her heart began to pound with excitement and anticipation.

She wanted to feel that way every day for the rest of her life, and she wanted to spend that life with Patrick. After the wedding and the holidays, she would tell him she wanted to move to New York to live with him, as long as he would agree to let her work so she could continue to support herself. That was important to her, and she hoped he understood that she couldn’t allow him to support her, no matter how wealthy he might be.

With the office emptying out for the wedding weekend, Mary and Linc were the last ones left. She gathered her belongings and went to tell Linc she’d see him later at Hunter and Megan’s rehearsal dinner at a place called The Pig’s Belly, of all things.

“I’m going to head out,” Mary said. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’ll walk you out.” He got up and shut off the lights and followed her to the stairs.

“You ready for another wedding?”

“I suppose I have to be,” he said with a smile. “Hunter is so in love with that girl, and she’s a doll. I’m thrilled for them, but my kids grew up way too fast.”

“Remember when you thought your barn would always be full of kids?”

Nodding, he said, “And now Molly and I rattle around the empty place.” Glancing over at her as they reached the bottom of the stairs, he said, “Everything okay with you, Mary? You’ve been quiet lately.”

“Everything is fine,” she said, patting his arm. Though she was tempted to tell him about Patrick, she couldn’t do that until Patrick came clean with Cameron. Lincoln would hear the news soon enough. “But thank you for asking.”

“Glad to hear it. I’ll see you in a couple of hours. Molly tells me The Pig’s Belly is an experience we won’t want to miss.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

They parted company in the parking lot, and Mary drove home wondering when she would see Patrick. Would he go to Cameron’s or come to her first? She got her answer when she pulled up to her house and found him sitting on her front steps like it was July rather than late December. His suitcase and suit bag were on the porch behind him.

He stood to greet her, smiling widely.

She couldn’t get out of the car fast enough and didn't give a single thought to nosy neighbors when she rushed into his outstretched arms and kissed him. “I thought today would never get here.”

“Same. The days without you drag endlessly.”

After a long hug, he let her go and followed her inside, bringing his bags with him. “I told Cam I’m staying at the Butler Inn, and I’d catch up to her at dinner. I’m going to talk to her about us after the wedding.”

She took his coat and hung it next to hers. “Our little secret won’t be a secret for much longer.”

“That’s fine with me. I want the whole world to know how much I love you.” His arms came around her waist, and he buried his face in her hair, drawing her close. They stayed that way for a long time, holding on tight to what they’d found in each other. “I’m so excited to have the next couple of weeks with you. I told Maggie to only call me if the building was on fire.”

“I still have to work until Christmas Eve,” she reminded him. “The store is crazy busy this week.”

“I’m sure I’ll find something to keep me busy while you’re working.”

She turned to face him, resting her hands on his chest. “After Christmas Eve, I’m all yours.”

“Best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten.”

“Tomorrow, before the wedding, we can go get a tree.”

“Whatever you want to do.”

“We’ve got a couple of hours before we have to be anywhere,” she said, smiling up at him.

“Whatever shall we do with all that time?”

Smiling, she took him by the hand and led him into her room.

“My Sweet Mary is full of surprises.”

She lifted his sweater up and over his head, baring that chest she couldn’t stop thinking about. “You’ve made me this way.”

“I have? And what way is that?”

“Sex crazy, and yes, it’s all your fault.”

“I can live with that.”

They undressed each other and slid into the cozy warmth of her flannel sheets and down comforter. His arms came around her, their legs entangling and his lips finding hers in a desperate kiss that told her just how much he’d missed her. “This is, officially, my favorite place in the whole world.”

“In my bed in Vermont?”

“In any bed with you.”

“It’s my favorite place, too.”

He caressed her cheek and pushed the hair back from her face. “I’m not going to be able to bear to let you go after having a couple of weeks with you.”

“We don’t need to think about that now.”

“No, but we need to talk about it soon. I can’t stand being away from you.”

“I can’t stand it either.”

“That’s so good to know,” he said with a rakish grin that lit up his eyes.

Mary moved so she was on top of him, registering his look of surprise with pleasure. She loved to surprise him. “Can we do it like this?”

“We can do whatever you want, my love.” He slid his hands from her hips to her breasts.

“No hands. Put them under your head.”

“Do I have to?”

“Uh-huh. You’re not in charge right now. I am.”

“I’ve never been so happy to be bossed in my entire life.”

“Have you ever actually been bossed?”

“Um, I think so. Once. When I was fifteen.”

Mary laughed and peppered his chest with kisses, working her way down to the erection that reached beyond his belly button. Wrapping one hand around the base, she bent over him, loving the gasp that escaped his lips when her hair brushed against the head of his cock. Since he loved to drive her to the point of madness before making her come, she decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. She took her own sweet time, teasing him with her hands and tongue and hair.

His hips came off the bed, silently begging her for more, but still she made him wait.

“Fuck, Mary. I thought you loved me.”

“I do.” She drew the head into her mouth and sucked lightly, pulling a deep groan from him. “I love you so much, it’s crazy. You’re all I can think about.”

“Baby, let me touch you.”

“Not yet. I’m not done.” To punctuate her words, she cupped his balls and squeezed lightly as she took him in as far as she could, using her tongue and lips to pleasure him.

“Mary!”

She heard the warning, knew she was playing with fire and didn’t retreat.

“God, Mary…” His hips came off the bed, and he grasped her hair in the second before he came.

She stayed with him until he sagged into the bed, the act so personal and intimate, she felt seared in the aftermath. She’d never done that for anyone else, had never wanted to. But with him, all her walls had fallen and nothing was off-limits because of how much she loved him.

Kissing his belly and chest, she worked her way to his neck as his arms came around her.

“You are so incredibly sexy,” he said.

“I’ve never felt sexy until you came along.”

“That’s a goddamned shame.” He kissed her until he was hard again, and Mary took him in slowly, coming down on top of him as he dragged his thumbs over her nipples.

Patrick sat up and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight against him as they moved together in perfect harmony.

She’d never experienced anything better than the exquisite pleasure she found with him, and the thought of a lifetime of such pleasure filled her with giddy joy.

His hands dropped to her ass, squeezing as she moved. Then he hit a spot deep inside her that triggered a powerful release for her and then him.

She sagged into his embrace, exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. If he asked her right now to give up everything she’d ever known for him, she’d do it. She’d do it in a New York minute. The pun made her giggle.

“It’s not polite to laugh when a man’s penis is still inside you.”

“I’m not laughing at you or your delicate penis.”

“My penis is not delicate, as he has proven many, many times.”

“Stop,” she said, laughing uncontrollably now.

“Not until you tell me what’s so funny.”

“I can’t.”

He rolled them so he was on top of her. “Tell me.”

“I had this thought.”

“I’m listening…”

“That if you asked me right now, I’d give up my whole life in a New York minute if I got to spend the rest of it with you. It was the New York minute that made me laugh.”

His expression turned fierce. “I’m asking. Right here and now. Marry me, Mary. Live with me. Travel the world with me. Sleep with me every night. Wake up with me every morning. Be my love.”

“Patrick…” Her eyes filled with tears that slid down her cheeks. “I was joking. I wasn’t asking you to propose.”

“I’m dead serious. Hang on a minute.” He withdrew from her, got up from the bed and went to root around in his bag, returning with a black velvet box that he held out to her.

“What…” She looked up at him. “You…”

“Open it.”

Mary’s hands trembled as she opened the box, gasping at the sight of the most incredible ring she’d ever seen.

“I had it made for you. I was planning to propose on our trip. You just gave me the perfect opportunity.” Dropping to his knees next to the bed, he reached for her hands. “Will you please marry me, Sweet Mary from Vermont?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Yes.”

“Really?”

She nodded and tugged on his hands to bring him back to her. “Really.”

He took the velvet box that had fallen to the bed and removed the ring to slide it onto her finger.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“It’s not too much?”

“No, it’s perfect. I love that you had it made just for me.”

“It’s one of a kind, like you.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Believe it. Believe in me and us. This is forever.”

“We can’t tell anyone. This is Hunter and Megan’s weekend. We can’t steal their thunder.”

“And I probably ought to tell my daughter we’re together before I tell her we’re engaged.”

“That, too.” She smiled at him.

He smiled back at her. “I’ll tell her tomorrow after the wedding.”

“We’re really engaged?” She’d thought she felt giddy before. Now, her heart beat so fast, she feared she might pass out.

Patrick kissed the hand that now sported his ring. “We’re as engaged as it’s possible to be.”

“And we have to act like nothing special has happened in front of everyone I know.”

“Just for a little while longer. After the New Year, we’ll come back from our trip and tell everyone the good news. The engagement part can be our secret for now.”

“It’s the best secret I’ve ever had.”

He snuggled up to her and drew the comforter over them. “Me, too, sweetheart.”

Mary floated on air that weekend, through the festivities at The Pig’s Belly, when she had to pretend that she and Patrick were just friends, and the next day when Hunter and Megan tied the knot in a touching, beautiful ceremony at Linc and Molly’s big red barn.

Mary stood with Patrick during the ceremony and the speeches that followed. Megan’s sister Nina was toasting the bride and groom when a shout from behind them had Mary and Patrick turning in time to see Cameron land in a heap on the floor.

Will cried out in distress.

Patrick ran to her, dropping down next to his son-in-law.

Cameron came to a few seconds later, asking what happened and then apologizing to Megan for stealing her thunder.

“I don’t care about that,” Megan said. “As long as you’re all right.”

Cameron looked up at Will, a small smile occupying her lips. “I’m all right, and I’m pregnant.”

While everyone else cheered the good news, Mary went cold inside, knowing what she did of Cameron’s family history.

“A baby?” Patrick asked, his voice filled with wonder.

“So it seems, although this wasn’t how I’d planned to tell you.”

Patrick hugged her, holding her for a long moment. By the time he released her, some of the color had returned to Cameron’s pale cheeks.

Will and Patrick helped her up, then Will scooped her into his arms to carry her out of the room. Mary, Patrick, Molly and Lincoln followed.

“I’m so sorry to worry you all,” Cameron said. “I stood too close to the fireplace, and the heat did me in.”

Molly brought her ice water and ushered everyone from the room, so Cam and Will could have a minute alone.

Patrick looked like he’d been electrocuted.

Mary guided him into the kitchen and encouraged him to breathe.

“Oh my God,” Patrick said, stricken. “She’s pregnant. She can’t… I can’t… I can’t lose her, Mary. I’d never survive it.”

“We’ll give them a minute, and then we’ll go talk to her. You can tell her what you’re worried about and give her all the information she needs.”

“I should’ve told her. Before they got married, but she was so happy… I couldn’t. I couldn’t do that to either of them.”

Mary took his face in her hands, not giving a flying fig if anyone came upon them in an obviously intimate moment. “Thirty years have gone by since Ali died giving birth. Everything has changed since then. Cameron is young and strong and healthy. She’s going to be just fine, and you, my friend, are going to be a grandfather.”

“A grandfather,” he whispered. “How do you feel about being married to a grandfather?”

“I may have to reconsider in light of this development. I’m still a very young woman. I ain’t nobody’s granny.”

His mouth lifted into a small smile that was a welcome change from the sheer terror of a few minutes ago. “You’re going to be the sexiest granny ever.”

“Let’s go talk to Cameron and put your mind at ease.”

They found Will and Cam still in the den. She was on his lap, and his arms were wrapped around her.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Patrick said haltingly.

Mary rested a hand on his back and sat with him on a love seat.

“You’re not,” Cameron said. “Come in. Sorry to cause such a scene.”

“It’s not your fault you fainted, babe,” Will said.

“Still, I never like to be a drama queen.”

“You’re not,” Patrick said. “You never have been.”

“The best part of being pregnant is no more skiing lessons for almost a year,” Cameron said with a grin for her husband. “Why do you look so freaked out, Dad?”

“I… Um… It’s just… Well, I’m so excited for you guys. I hope you know that. But, um… your mom and what happened—”

“That’s not going to happen to me,” Cameron said adamantly.

“How can you possibly know that?”

Cameron glanced at Will, who nodded in encouragement. “Before we started trying to get pregnant, I spent two nights at Mass General, where I had a full cardiac and obstetrical workup that found absolutely no reason for concern. I’m perfectly healthy.”

“You did? You are?”

“I had the same concerns, Patrick,” Will said. “I insisted we make absolutely sure that having babies wouldn’t be too dangerous for her. I wouldn’t hear of even trying until we were one hundred percent sure. And now we are. Of course, she took five years off my life by fainting just now, but that was only because she was too warm standing by the fire.”

“God, that’s such a relief,” Patrick said.

“I’m sorry you were worried,” Cameron said with a sweet smile for her father.

Patrick glanced fleetingly at Mary before returning his attention to Cameron. “There’s something you don’t know, sweetheart. Your grandmother…”

“Also died in childbirth, having her fifth child,” Cameron said.

“How do you know that?” he asked, sounding astounded.

“I connected years ago with Mom’s sister Cindy on Facebook. She told me.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

“I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about me being in touch with her after the way Mom’s family treated you.”

“I wouldn’t have minded. They’re your family.”

“For better or worse,” Cameron said with a wry smile. “The specialists at Mass General said that I was wise to be tested in light of my family history, but they could find no reason to believe I have anything worry about, and they were incredibly thorough.” She grimaced. “It was no fun.”

“She was a trouper,” Will said.

“Thank you for insisting that she do that,” Patrick said to Will. “I wish you guys had told me about it.”

“You were in Europe, and we didn’t want you to worry,” Cameron said. “And don’t tell me you wouldn’t have worried.”

“You’re right,” Patrick said, smiling at her. “I would have.”

“I had the same fears you do, Patrick,” Will said. “I’d rather be childless than lose Cam the way you lost her mom. I don’t know how you survived it.”

“I didn’t, really. I was a disaster for years, and Cameron paid the price for that.”

“Now that I have Will,” Cameron said, “I have a much greater understanding of what it must’ve been like for you to lose Mom so suddenly. I can’t imagine that happening to me and having to cope with a baby at the same time. I hope none of us ever knows that kind of pain. I wish you would find a way to forgive yourself for not being the perfect dad. You were perfect for me.” She got up and came over to Patrick, reaching out to him.

He stood and wrapped his arms around her.

Mary dabbed at her eyes, moved by Cameron’s loving words for her father, knowing how much they would mean to him.

“I have something to tell you, too,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“So Mary and I—”

“I just said to Will that there was something going on with you guys! Since when?”

Patrick looked at Mary, smiling. “Since your wedding.”

Cameron’s face lit up with a huge smile. “Oh my God! How could you keep this secret from me when I’m the one who introduced you?”

Patrick sat next to Mary and took her hand. “We wanted a little time to ourselves before we told people, and I was a little afraid you might not approve. After all, you told me to keep my hands and everything else away from Mary the day you introduced us.”

To Mary, Cameron said, “Does he treat you right?”

Mary looked at Patrick. “No one has ever treated me better.”

“Then I completely approve. This is so exciting!”

“I’m glad you think so,” Patrick said. “We’re really happy together. In fact…” He looked around to make sure no one else could hear him. “We’re getting married.”

“Patrick! We said we weren’t going to tell anyone yet.”

“Cameron is not anyone. She’s my little girl. I have to tell her.”

His little girl clapped her hands together with giddy excitement while Will looked on, beaming at all of them.

“You guys aren’t going to believe what just happened,” Ella said as she came into the room, looking slightly shell-shocked.

“What’s up?” Will asked his sister.

“Chloe was just here,” she said of Max’s girlfriend and Caden’s mother.

“What did she want?”

“She signed over full custody of the baby to Max. She said she’s not ready to be a mother.”

“Oh my God,” Cameron said. “He must be freaking out.”

“To say the least,” Ella said.

Poor Max, Mary thought. What an overwhelming responsibility for such a young man. He’d only just graduated from college, and now he was a single dad.

“Apparently, Mom really took control of the situation, and our cousin Grayson had already prepared custody paperwork that outlined all their options. She chose to give sole custody to Max.”

“Holy shit,” Will said. “I need to go check on him.”

“Of course.” Cam stood to let him up. When she wobbled ever so slightly, he settled her back on the sofa with a blanket over her. “Don’t move until I get back.”

“Yes, dear,” she said, smiling at him.

Ella went with Will, leaving Mary, Patrick and Cameron in the den.

“I feel for the guy,” Patrick said.

“You’ve certainly been there, done that,” Cam said.

“He’ll have the support of a big, loving family all around him,” Mary said. “He’ll be okay.”

“I want to talk about you two,” Cameron said. “I want all the PG-13 details of how this went down. Leave nothing out but the gross stuff. And I take it you’re not really staying at the Butler Inn this week.”

“Busted,” Mary said.

Laughing, Patrick told his daughter their story, leaving out the delicious details that belonged to them alone.