What The Heart Wants (27 page)

“It’s been a revealing day,” she said, shifting her feet. She looked up at Sam who didn’t look as surprised as she thought he should. “Wait. Did you know?”

“No,” Sam said, holding his hands up, palms out. Defensive. “No. I just had a suspicion. Especially when I met Viv. You don’t look anything like her. It just kind-of highlighted how much you look like Mam. Your small bone structure, your green eyes.”

Anna nodded. It made sense. “What about John?”

“That, I think, is a surprise to everyone but your mother and Maude.”

“And Jamie Sinclair,” Anna added, feeling almost sad for the woman.

“Yes, well,” Sam said, moving closer and resting his forearms on her shoulders. “I believe Viv is out there putting an end to her nonsense right now.”

“If anyone can, it’s her,” Anna agreed, turning her face to plant a kiss on his arm.

“So… are you going to try to get to know your father more?”

Anna stepped forward, leaning her face against Sam’s waiting chest. “I haven’t even thought about that.”

She felt Sam lean down and plant a kiss on the top of her head, his arms wrapping around her. “Infidelity aside… he’s a good man. He is worth knowing. Like father, like daughter I guess.”

Epilogue
 

Anna woke up slowly, stretching her feet toward the end of the bed.

“Good morning,” Sam said, his voice clear and awake. He was a morning person.

Anna rolled on her side to face him, her hair a tangled mess around her face. She rubbed absentmindedly at her sleepy eyes. When her vision cleared, she saw Sam, smiling his happy, easy smile. He had his arms at a ninety-degree angle, his hands cupped oddly.

“Good morning,” she said, smiling. She couldn’t believe how much she loved him. It crept up on her slowly, a strange feeling of comfort at having him around. And then it spread and grew… every small little victory she experienced, she wanted to share with him first. Every disappointment, she wanted his arms to crawl into. It took her months of none-too subtle prodding from her mother for her to realize the truth.

She was heart over heels for Sam Flynn. The most generous, kind soul she had ever met.

His hands opened suddenly, revealing a small pale blue jewelry box. He looked at her for a second before pulling the top open. There inside sat a ring. A white gold simple band with a pear-shaped diamond, shining brilliantly in the morning sun.

Anna felt her stomach do a quick, almost nauseating flip-flop. Her eyes went to Sam’s immediately, seeking confirmation.

“Annabelle Goode,” he started, his voice sounding nervous, a weird inflection for him. “I have never loved anything in this life more than I love you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Anna felt her heart constrict, like a fist had grabbed and squeezed it. Did she want to become his wife? More than anything else in the world.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice thick with feeling. “Yes yes yes,” she said more emphatically, smiling.

Sam leaned forward, planting a quick, hard kiss on her lips before slipping the ring out of the box and onto her finger.

“I love you,” she said, looking down at the ring, moving her hand around, getting used to the awkward feeling.

“I love you more,” he said, kissing her again. “So… do you think Viv will be happy to have me as a son-in-law?”

“Ecstatic,” Anna said, smiling. “She’s gonna fight like hell to catch the bouquet.”

Sam’s brows drew together. “Why? She’s been single since she moved here.”

“Oh, didn’t you hear Maude’s prediction?”

“No,” Sam said, sounding interested.

“Mom and Sheriff Aiden are going to get together.”

“No way,” Sam said, smiling.

“Yes way. Oh, and Eric will have a ball and chain in two years.”

“I think Maude is losing her touch,” Sam said, laughing.

“I dunno,” Anna said, cuddling up against his chest. “I guess we will just have to wait and see.”

The End