Hayley bit back a laugh. ‘You’ve only known me for a couple of weeks. Why would you want me to be on your team?’
‘Well, there’s the obvious stuff of course—you can cook well, and you’re great at clearing up after us. And then there’s the fact that two of the kittens are yours so if you stay we get to keep all four, which would be cool. But the real reason is because we love you and we know you love Dad.’ Alfie hitched Posy up in his arms. ‘I heard you say you love him. Mum never said that. Not once. I heard her say loads of stuff to Dad, but she never said I love you. You do love Dad, I can tell. And he loves you. And so do we. And do you mind if I go in now, because Posy weighs a ton? It must be all the turkey she’s eaten.’ Staggering slightly, he backed into the house, leaving Hayley with tears pouring down her cheeks.
‘I can’t believe he just said all that.’ She was humbled by the children’s warmth and acceptance.
‘Do you really think our family isn’t going to work?’ Laughing, Patrick took her hand and slid the ring back onto her finger. ‘We’re not going to let you say no, Hayley. We want you on Team Buchannan. Say yes. Come on—of all the words I’ve heard you say, that’s the one I want to hear.’
Hayley looked around her. She looked at the beautiful barn, the mountains and the snow-covered trees. And then she looked at the man standing in front of her—the man she loved.
‘You do realise that Alfie is right—if you marry me you’ll end up keeping all four kittens,’ she said, and her voice wobbled. ‘He gave them to me as a present and I won’t be parted from them.’
Patrick rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. ‘I think I can probably cope.’
‘You’re sure you don’t want more time to think about it?’
‘I’m sure. I love you, Hayley, that isn’t going to change.’
‘In that case, yes,’ she said in a choked voice. ‘Yes, of course. I’ll marry you. Oh, Patrick…’ She flung her arms round his neck and Jack beeped the horn madly and cheered.
‘Good job I don’t have any neighbours,’ Patrick drawled, his mouth against hers as he kissed her again. ‘Given that he knows such a lot about your underwear, I think perhaps we’d better invite Jack to the wedding. What do you think?’
‘I think I love you, Patrick Buchannan,’ Hayley said huskily. ‘I think I love you with all my heart.’