As much as I didn’t want to leave, Declan promised we’d come back soon, and that made me feel a little better. I knew that he had to get back to work and I needed to get Fiona a dress since the wedding is going to be here before we know it. There is so much to do, and I also have to deal with the fact that I don’t want to live with his family.

I wish I could talk him into moving to the States, but being back did nothing for me. We were only gone a day and I missed Mayo so damn much. I missed the green of the country, the friendliness of the people, and the air. It’s just so crisp in Ireland. I missed it and it surprises me, but somehow, Mayo has become my home.

Maybe I was always meant to be here, that it was always my home, but the States was my detour. I don’t know, but the moment we stepped off the plane, I was glad to be home. The trip was good, the weight I had on my chest was gone, and I was ready for our future. Just some things had to change. Quickly, before I lose my ever loving mind.

Riding in the car, Declan takes my hand and squeezes it. Looking over at him from where I am texting Fiona, I smile. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“For taking me,” I answer. “For being there for me.”

“I always will be.” He sends me a grin then and says, “I need to show ya something.”

“What’s that?”

“We are almost there.”

I nod before looking down at where I am texting Fiona.

Me: It was a great trip. I feel a billion times better. You’re a genius.

Fiona: Like ya doubted me. Grand. I’m happy.

Fiona: Yous two good?

Me: Yeah, I think. We need to address some things. Like the fact I need out of his mom’s house tomorrow.

Fiona: Yeah sure, do that but remember that’s his home. The one he grew up in.

Me: I know.

Fiona: Grand. Have fun and make sure things are good between yous two before I see ya tomorrow.

Me: I will.

When the car stops, I look up to see that we are parked by a field as Declan gets out of the car. Looking around, I see the lake and know where we are, but I don’t understand why.

“Come on,” he says, opening the door and letting me out. I take his hand and we walk around the car to where a large spot has been marked off. Raising an eyebrow, I look up at him and he is grinning at me, pointing to the space.

“It’s the most gorgeous blank spot in the world?” I say and he laughs.

Shaking his head, he gathers me in his arms and takes in a deep breath. “The other day when I came home and I walked in and ya ripped my head off, ran off to Fiona’s, and then we flew to the States?”

“Not still upset about that, are ya?” I ask with a teasing tone, but he doesn’t laugh, he sets me a look and I press my lips together. “Sorry, no filter, remember? Anyway, as you were saying.”

A grin pulls at his lips as he shakes his head. “Yeah, that night, I came home excited to tell ya about this.”

“The blank spot?”

“Yeah,” he says with a nod. “This where our house is gonna be.”

Scrunching my face, I look up at him from the blank spot. “Huh?”

“We are gonna build a house here. I want to be on my land; I understand that you don’t want to live with my family, and that is fine, but I want to be on my land. It takes seven minutes for anyone to get here. By then, surely we will be done, or at least we will remember to lock the door,” he says with a suggestive wag of his brows. But I’m too stunned to really comprehend what he just said.

Looking back at the spot that is marked off with bright orange tape, I sort of can’t believe him. “Are you for real right now?”

“Yeah, ya wanted out of the house. I’m giving you that.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you.”

It was that simple. Turning to look at him, my lip starts to wobble as our eyes meet. As my eyes search his, my heart jackhammers in my chest, Fiona’s words playing over and over again in my head. She was right. Fear is a liar and the truth is right in front of me. Declan wouldn’t change me; he only wants to love me. Wrapping my arms around him, I squeeze him tightly as I press my lips to his. Holding me in his arms, he kisses me thoroughly as all the love we have for each other floods our senses.

Parting, he kisses my nose as I look up at him. “I’m sorry I’m a pain in your ass.”

He gives me a lopsided grin as he shakes his head. “Ah, maybe, but I wouldn’t want any other pain in my arse but ya. And I knew we’d be okay. Ya just had to realize it.”

“I wouldn’t have without you. I knew when I saw you at my parents’ graves that I couldn’t even think you’d change me. You just want to help me grow.”

“That’s fuckin’ right, mo stór. I want only that because yous have helped me grow. I couldn’t be who I am without ya. I love you.”

“I love you too,” I promise.

“Grand, now come on, let’s go home.”

He kisses me again before we get back in the car, and I am on cloud nine. Basically bouncing in my seat as we start to drive again.

“Do we get to design it ourselves?”

He nods. “Yup.”

“Eek! I’m so excited! When can we start? Are we gonna live with your parents until then? I’d rather we didn’t, but if you want to, and you think it won’t take long to build us a new house, then I can bear with it a bit. Wait, where are we going?”

Declan grins over at me as we head up a hill. He doesn’t answer me, even when I ask again. When a small little cottage comes into view, I look over at him as he stops in front of it. Shutting the car off, he looks over at me and lets out a breath.

“Welcome home, Ms. Reilly.” My jaw drops as he gets out and opens the door for me. “It’s not much, but it’s got the basics. I have had it furnished a bit, not a lot, but it will get us by till the big house is done.”

“Oh my God,” I mutter as he pushes open the door and we go in. It’s adorable. Only a living room and a small kitchen with a bathroom attached to the bedroom. It’s the size of his room on the estate.

“It’s got a kitchen, food in the fridge, so you’ll be cookin’ my dinner, ya know,” he says with a wink and I giggle. “But it will do us good, I think.”

Looking back at me, he pulls me into the crook of his arms as I agree, “I think so too.”