placed his hands on her shoulders. Even through the bulk of her down jacket she could feel their warmth. ‘You were right,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t ready to give or receive love and I’m sorry you were collateral damage along the way.’
She looked up at him into those remarkable blue eyes that were now free of the shadows that had haunted them, the handsome lean face that had lost the lines of tension around his mouth that had always been there. His mouth. That looked as kissable as ever. ‘But...’ She couldn’t remember what she was going to say next, too distracted by the thought of claiming his mouth for herself again.
Declan continued. ‘I had to come to terms with grief and loss and guilt and to stop blaming myself for what was out of my control.’
‘All...those things I couldn’t help you with. And...and I had my own trust issues to deal with.’ She’d had a very long talk with her mother before she’d flown out of Sydney that had helped immensely.
‘Maybe neither of us was ready then,’ he said. He slid his hands from her shoulders, down her arms, and pulled her closer.
‘But now?’ she breathed.
‘I’m ready to love you like you deserve to be loved, Shelley Fairhill.’
This time she didn’t hesitate. ‘I love you too, Declan. So much.’
Shelley pressed her mouth to his. His lips were cold but didn’t stay that way for long. She put all her hope and longing and love into the kiss. Until they were rudely interrupted by a loud wolf whistle from one of the other gardeners.
She pulled away, flushed. ‘Oh, my gosh, I could get fired for that.’
‘Would you care if you got fired?’
‘Yes. I like this job. It’s only a temporary contract but it’s a delight to work in this place. Even in winter the bare bones of the garden will be inspiring. Did you know about the famous white garden? It was a radical planting in its time—only white flowers. Apparently it looks amazing dusted in snow. Truly white.’
Declan put his finger on her mouth to silence her. ‘I’m sure that’s fascinating stuff. But can it wait until later?’ He stamped one foot, then the other. ‘I’m freezing here and I’d rather talk about us than gardens.’
‘Us?’ Her breath caught in her throat.
‘You. Me. Where you want to live. I can live anywhere, any country, for my work as long as there’s electricity and internet. I don’t want to live in the Bellevue Street house again—it had become a prison. I’m thinking of donating it to a heritage trust. Your professor in Melbourne is working on a proposal with me.’
‘My...my professor?’
‘Yes. With full recognition to you for having discovered the heritage garden.’
‘You did that for me?’
‘Yes,’ he said simply.
She kissed him again. ‘Thank you. That means so much.’ There was no need to elaborate further. His actions proved his love for her and it was enough.
She didn’t want to live in that house where Declan had been so unhappy either. Though she’d like him to retain control over the garden. It would be criminal for it to slide into neglect again or, worse, be ripped out.
‘What about your television career?’ he asked. ‘Have you given up on that?’
‘No way. The current presenter decided he wanted to do one more season before he bowed out so that gives me another few months before I’d have to start. The producer likes the idea of him introducing me to the viewers when the time comes.’
‘So that means you going back to live in Australia?’
‘Not yet. Maybe not permanently. But it’s too good an opportunity to pass up.’
‘I agree.’
‘But I’m conflicted. I love it here,’ she said wistfully. ‘The ideal would be if I could somehow live between Australia and Europe for a few years at least.’
‘That’s entirely possible,’ he said. ‘First-class flights make the long flight bearable. Private jets even more so.’
‘I wouldn’t know about that,’ she said with a rueful smile. ‘It’s cattle class all the way for me.’
‘Not when you fly with me,’ he said.
He silenced her gasp with a quick kiss. ‘And if you want to live here, I’ve found a wonderful manor house nearby,’ Declan said. ‘The house is perfect but the garden is crying out for the Shelley touch to make it your garden.’
‘Sounds promising,’ she said, cautiously, not really certain of where he was going.
‘It also has a stable and a few acres of pastures for a horse.’
‘Sold!’ she said. She drew her brows together and looked up at him. ‘What did I just agree to, Declan?’
He cupped her face in his hands in the possessive way she loved. ‘I hope you’ve agreed to be my wife,’ he said.
‘Your wife,’ she said slowly. ‘I... I like the idea.’
‘Good,’ he said. ‘I’ll take that for a yes.’
‘Not so fast,’ she said, taking a step back, her heart feeling like a parched plant that had just been watered. ‘I want a proper proposal, please.’
He laughed. ‘Why does that not surprise me?’ He looked down at the mushy ground that surrounded them.
‘I don’t expect you to go down on bended knee or anything,’ she said with a catch in her voice.
He took both her hands in his. ‘Shelley, will you do me the honour of marrying me?’ he asked very seriously.
She took a deep breath to steady her voice. ‘I would love to be your wife. And...and the mother of your children. That is, if you want—’
He closed his eyes for a moment. ‘Yes. I do,’ he said as he opened them again. ‘When...when the time is right for both of us to take that step.’
Shelley pulled him close and kissed him. She realised that might become another challenge. With past tragedy in mind, she could imagine how overprotective Declan would become if she were to fall pregnant. But they could face that challenge together when it came.
‘I supposed you’d like a proper engagement ring too?’ he murmured against her mouth.
‘Well, yes,’ she said. ‘But I guess you mightn’t have had time to buy one. I mean, what if I’d said no to your proposal? Not that I would have said no. I love you so much and couldn’t imagine anything I’d like more than to be your wife.’
Declan smiled and her heart missed a beat at the love for her she saw shining from his eyes. He pulled out a small box from the inner pocket of his overcoat.
‘Oh...’
