“Actually, his mother was one of the people arrested for running the den,” Archie said. “She knew he was in the attic the whole time.”
Lucy didn’t know how to reply to that. What a horrible thing, bringing your child into a situation like that. She was just glad he was safe now.
“Lucy, you’re hereby made an official Pinkerton detective, if you’d like to accept the role,” Archie went on. “You may also apply for an annulment, if that’s what you want.”
“If I stay on as an agent, doesn’t it make sense for me to stay married, too?” she asked.
“Yes, I suppose it does,” Archie replied.
Lucy turned to Jed. “I’ve loved working with you, and I’d love to stay on as an agent. Especially now that we know my arm’s going to be all right. But I don’t expect you to stay married to me just for the sake of the job. You were promised that we could part ways at the end of the case, and I don’t want to break that promise to you.”
Jed reached out and took her good hand in his. “Being married to you has nothing to do with the job anymore,” he replied. “I want you by my side through all of it—as a partner and as my wife. I want a home with you. I want a family with you. I’m in love with you, Lucy Haskell Green, job or no job.”
Lucy’s eyes filled with tears. “You mean it?”
He replied by pulling her in for a kiss that made her forget they weren’t the only two people in the room.
“So, that would be a no on the annulment, then,” Archie said dryly when they pulled apart.
“Correct,” Lucy said, her eyes not leaving Jed’s face.
“All right. I’ll sign you up for your next case as soon as Lucy’s arm is healed. In the meantime, you’d better be looking for a place to live. I don’t think Lucy wants to bunk in the men’s dormitory,” Archie said.
Jed threaded Lucy’s arm through his as they walked out of the office and into the gardens. Once they were outside, he turned to her. “What would you think about another wedding ceremony? Our parents could be there, your father could give you away, and it could be in a church and not in an office building.”
“And without a cake fight?” Lucy asked with a grin.
“Without a cake fight.”
“Hmm. I don’t know. That might have been my favorite part of our whole first wedding.”
“If you’d like another one, you may have one. The main thing is that we’re starting this off right, with all the best intentions and for all the right reasons.”
Lucy stepped into his arms and snuggled into his chest. “Yes, Mr. Green. I’d love to marry you again. I’d marry you over and over and over—every single day, if you wanted me to.”
He tipped her chin up with the tip of his finger. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’m game if you are.” He kissed her again, holding her close in those strong arms, and as the zips and tingles and electricity shot through her entire being, she knew she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
With a cast on her arm and all.
THE END
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About Amelia C. Adams
Amelia C. Adams is a wife, a mother, an eater of tacos, and a taker of naps. She spends her days thinking up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you just might see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels.
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The Kansas Crossroads Series:
A Free Heart
The Dark and the Dawn
A Clean Slate
A Clear Hope
The Whisper of Morning
A Careless Wind
A Narrow Road
The Bitter and the Sweet
The Calm of Night
A Begrudging Bride
A Broken Wing (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
A Twisted Fate
An Unspoken Dream
A Joyful Noise
The Echo of Music (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
The Risk and the Reward (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
A Passing Glance
The Nurses of New York series:
Sea of Strangers (free!)
Cause of Conflict
Touch of Tenderness
Heart of Hearts
Test of Time
The American Mail-Order Brides series:
Hope: Bride of New Jersey
Tabitha: Bride of Missouri
The Hearts of Nashville series:
Whiskey and Women
Records and Rebels
Mail Order Molly
As part of the River’s End Ranch series:
Accidental Agent
Rugged Rockclimber
Welcome Wagon
Santa’s Shopkeeper
Delivering Destiny
Lucky Lifeguard
Poinsettia Promises
Christmas Catch-Up III
Candy Crush
Paislee’s Path
Pet Peeves
Karaoke Kisses
As part of the Grandma’s Wedding Quilts series:
Meredith’s Mistake
As part of the Magnolias and Moonshine series:
Sweet Georgia Peach
As part of the Burnt River series:
Ashley’s Hope
Phoebe’s Fate
As part of the Rocky Mountain Romances series:
Utah Sunrise
As part of the Mail Order Mounties series:
Bride for Joel
Bride for Jonathan
Bride for Samuel
Bride for Calvin
Bride for Peter
Bride for Richard
As part of the Seven Sons series:
Benjamin
Daniel
Frank
As part of the Cowboys and Angels series:
Bribing the Blacksmith
Tea for Two
Loving the Landlord
Defying the Darkness
As part of the Main Street Merchants series:
And Something Blue
For Love or Money
Five Golden Rings
Just Desserts
In the Stars
Sugar and Spice
As part of the Brody Hotel series:
Generations
Heartstrings
Connections
Short Fiction:
The Ghost of Dunlow Manor
The Best of Me