Epilogue
December 1893
D ecked out with a festive plaid bow attached to his silver collar, Heathy trotted about the library, becoming acquainted with the library’s new patrons with a hearty sniff or two. Amelia’s old friends Beatrice and Edith lounged in comfortably overstuffed wing chairs as sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting colorful shapes against the far wall.
“I never would’ve believed it,” Bea gushed as Amelia joined them. “You’ve utterly reformed him.”
“Reformed?” Edith scoffed with a little shrug of her shoulders before Amelia could reply. “But Mr. MacLain does make you happy, doesn’t he, Amelia?”
“Happier than I’d ever dreamed possible,” Amelia said.
“They do say that rogues make splendid husbands once they’ve sown enough wild... well, you know what I mean,” Edith added with an air of authority.
“Truly, they do,” Bea said a bit wistfully.
“You may be right,” Amelia agreed.
“I must say, I am impressed at your husband’s efforts in assisting you to establish your new library,” Beatrice went on.
“As am I,” Amelia said, taking in the large, well-appointed rooms of the building her husband had converted to a permanent home for her collection. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to consider reopening the library in the place that had been the scene of violence and fear. Her former landlord, recovered from his injury, had tried to convince her to purchase the building, but Logan’s blunt response had sent Mr. Driscoll away in a sulk. Days later, upon learning of a café whose owner planned to retire to the countryside, Amelia and Logan had offered the gentleman a generous sum and acquired the building that now served as the ladies’ lending library.
“Mr. MacLain and I were set on purchasing this building. The location is ideal,” she said at the precise moment that Heathy took an unfortunate fancy to a new patron’s ribbon bedecked muff. “If you’ll excuse me,” she murmured, then dashed off to keep Heathy out of trouble.
She scooped up the dog and spun on her heel, nearly bumping into her husband’s broad back. He turned and flashed a grin she couldn’t resist.
“Ye have visitors,” he said as he ushered his sister-in-law and nieces through the door.
“Ah, Amelia, you are looking lovely.” His brother’s wife, Hannah, spoke in a tone as warm as an embrace.
“Hello, Aunt Amelia,” his nieces greeted in unison. Holding her twin’s hand, Bonnie went wide-eyed when she spied Heathy while her older sister surveyed the room, taking in the large collection.
“I predict I will spend many an enjoyable hour here,” Lily, a willow-thin beauty, said. “You see, I’ve taken a position as a teacher in the city.”
“How splendid,” Amelia said. “I suspect you will come to love this place. Just as I have.”
Heathy squirmed just enough to reach Cara and licked her face with enthusiasm. A joyful giggle bubbled from her mouth.
“He wants to be my friend,” the young girl said with delight.
“Oh, he’s definitely taken a liking to you.” Amelia held the dog a bit more snugly as she caught him once again eying up her patron’s ribbons.
Hours later, after Amelia and Logan had returned home to share a grand meal with Ewan, Hannah, and their daughters, their visitors retired to the guest quarters. With a grin Amelia could not resist, Logan lured his bride up the stairs to their bedchamber with the promise of a tempting kiss.
Or two.
Or many, many more.
He latched the door behind them and enfolded her in his arms. His tender caress stirred her heart. And her desires.
“Ah, Amelia. I do wonder if yer brother knew he had given me a precious gift,” he whispered against her lips. “If he suspected I’d fall in love with ye.”
Relishing the warmth of her husband’s lean body, she melted against him. “I do believe he might have hoped for that outcome.”
His fingers went to work on the fastenings of her dress. “I’ve been waiting all night for this moment.”
“I adore your family, but I must confess, there were moments when I couldn’t keep my eyes off you... couldn’t stop thinking about what I wanted... when we were alone.”
He nipped playfully at her earlobe. “So many delicious ways I want to touch you—and taste you.”
Wishing her husband would finish with the tiny buttons at the back of her dress, Amelia sighed.
“Impatient, are we?” he teased.
“Dreadfully so, I’m afraid,” she whispered as he slid the last button through its loop.
“Anticipation makes it all the sweeter,” he murmured before kissing her deeply.
Tenderly.
Passionately.
She drank in the desire in his dark eyes. “There are no words to convey just how much I love you.”
“We don’t need words. We only need this.” He traced the pad of his thumb over her lip, then kissed her again. And again. “I will always love ye, my sweet Amelia. You will always be my greatest gift.”
THE END