Born in Fire

  "Ah, the businessman, even at such a time."

  He ignored the sarcasm. "I've plans to open a gallery in Clare to spotlight Irish artists."

  "In Clare?" Pushing back her windblown hair, she stared at him. "A branch of Worldwide here in Clare? You'd do that for me?"

  "I would. I'm afraid I'll spoil the heroics by telling you I'd thought of the idea long before I met you. The conception had nothing to do with you, but the location does. Or I should say it has to do with us." As the wind picked up he pulled her jacket together and buttoned it. "I believe I can live in a west-county cottage for part of the year, just as you could live with servants for the other."

  "You've thought this all through."

  "I have, yes. Certain aspects are, of course, nego tiable." He studied the glass drop again before slipping it into his pocket. 'There is one, however, that is not."

  "And that would be?"

  "Exclusivity again, Maggie, in the form of a mar riage contract. A lifetime term with no escape clauses."

  The fist around her heart squeezed all the tighter. "You're a hard bargainer, Sweeney."

  "I am."

  She looked out to sea again, the ceaseless rush of water, the indominable rock, and the magic they made between them. "I've been happy alone," she said quietly. "And I've been unhappy without you. I never wanted to depend on anyone, or to let myself care so much I could be made unhappy. But I depend on you, Rogan." Gently she lifted a hand to his cheek. "And I love you."

  The sweetness of hearing it swarmed through him. He guided her palm over his lips. "I know."

  And the fist, so tight around her heart, loosened. "You know." She laughed, shook her head. "Oh, it must be a fine thing to always be right."

  "It's never been a finer thing." He lifted her off her feet, spun her around once before their lips met and clung. The wind swooped down, ribboned around them, smelling of die sea. "If I can make you unhappy, Maggie, then I can make you happy as well."

  She squeezed her arms tight around him. "If you don't I'll make your life hell. I swear it. God, I never wanted to be a wife."

  "You'll be mine, and glad of it."

  "I'll be yours." She lifted her face to the wind. "And glad of it."