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Ana had asked Liam to call her mother. She’d come home, fallen into bed, and had been asleep in seconds, but that was the one thing she’d requested.
He’d stared at the phone for eternity before making the call. Despite telling himself it hadn’t been his fault, guilt still clawed at his heart. He knew he’d done his best and that Rick had surprised them, but how could he confess to Nadia that he’d failed to protect Ana like he’d promised?
Liam slumped onto the lounge. He couldn’t overthink it else he’d send himself crazy with all the ways he could have prevented today’s events. He could have gone in first. Or left Ana in the car. They could never have come back to town at all.
But Rick had wanted Ana. He’d have done anything to get her. And whether Liam had gone in first or not—
Exhaling, he ran his hand down his face. No. He had to stop it. It had happened, but it was over. He may feel guilty, but Ana was alive because of the friendships she’d found in Elizadale. They’d all been there to help her, just as he’d promised.
Which was what he told Nadia. She didn’t take it well, but she was grateful for everyone involved and that Rick was back in custody. As he moved about the kitchen preparing dinner, Liam did his best to answer her questions about what had happened, what Joanne had said, and how Ana was feeling.
‘Well, if you say she’s okay ...’
‘She is, Nadia,’ he said, slicing carrots. ‘But I can get her to call you when she wakes.’
‘Please do. I don’t care how late it is. But I’m glad you’re both okay, Liam. And that your dog is too.’
‘Yeah, she’s been running around with Louis, but I expect she might be a bit timid for a while. I’ll work on it with her though. At least she had the chance to bite the bastard. I’d have liked to bite him.’ Or punch him, kick him, knock him into a tree ...
Nadia managed a light laugh. ‘Oh, Liam. And please thank your cop friend and cousin for me too.’
‘I will.’
‘And you’re sure I don’t have to fly up there?’
‘I don’t think so. I’ll look after her. But if Ana wants you here, I’ll buy you a plane ticket immediately.’
Nadia sighed. ‘Okay. It’s hard for me because I want to look after her, but I know I don’t need to. You love her and I know you’re there for her. Thank you for calling me, Liam. I look forward to officially meeting you.’
‘Me too.’
After hanging up, he fed the dogs, then wondered what he was actually making for dinner. He’d set potatoes to boil and had cut up carrots. He’d throw in some frozen beans and cauliflower. Usually, he’d grill up a piece of steak or chicken to go with that, and he might, but as for Ana ... he had a tin of black beans but wasn’t sure what to do with that right now.
Sighing, he opened the freezer. He thought he’d done well adapting to her vegetarianism, but if she was going to live here, then he’d need to do better and have things on hand in case—
Ah, lentil cakes! Ana had made them a few weeks ago and they’d been delicious. Liam took two out, heated them up, and served dinner. Checking on Ana and finding her still sleeping, he covered her plate and placed it in the fridge. Then, since he didn’t have an appetite either, he did the same with his and went to lie down with her.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, careful not to disturb her. It’d been a crazy few days and he’d missed her while he’d been away, but knowing she’d been at home with his dog had been comforting.
Then he’d almost lost her.
Today had been the most terrifying day of his life. Liam didn’t want to imagine what else could have happened. It could have been much worse and he never wanted to experience that terror again.
He closed his eyes, Lucy’s words ricocheting through his mind. The sooner the better.
He understood that now. You never knew what could happen from one day to the next and today had been a prime example. Adam and Cade had found Ana scared and beaten, but a few minutes difference could have changed that. She could have been raped and dead.
He squeezed his eyes tighter. Exhaled. This must be what gratitude felt like as he lay there with her warm and breathing in his arms. In his bed. In his house.
Their house.
Yes, he wanted it to be their house because Lucy was right. Life was too short and too precious to take things slow and steady. Why wait for something that you already knew you wanted? Anastasia Hamilton was the only woman he’d ever truly loved. Life without her and Louis didn’t make sense.
Liam smiled softly to himself. He may be in over his head, but after today’s rollercoaster of emotions, he couldn’t be happier about it.
* * *
Ana ached as she stretched out in Liam’s bed. Beside her, the mattress sank as he moved.
‘Hey, baby. You okay?’
‘Yeah ...’ She opened her eyes and blinked sleepily. ‘I’m sore though. Could you get me those pain meds?’
‘Sure.’ He climbed out of bed and left the room. Ana groaned as she pushed herself into a seated position. At least the pain wasn’t as bad as last time, but her face sure stung.
Liam returned and handed her the box of medication with a glass of water. ‘Are you hungry? I cooked dinner.’
She nodded and swallowed the pills, her parched throat relieved by the water. ‘Thanks. I guess I could eat. I need to go to the toilet first though.’
‘You do that then while I reheat dinner.’
Ana moved into the bathroom, still tired, but her stomach growled as she washed her hands. She slowly made her way into the kitchen where Liam was setting two plates at the small table. Ana’s heart thudded. She was lucky to have him. Lucky that she was still able to sit there with him tonight.
‘You sleep okay?’ he asked as she eased into a chair.
‘Yeah. I’d expected some nightmares, but so far, so good. They might still come though.’
‘If they do, I’ll be there to wake you from them.’ His words were gentle, but his actions were not as he stabbed beans with his fork.
Ana reached across the table and placed her hand over his. ‘It’s okay, Liam. I’m okay.’
Sighing, he dropped his fork and took her hand in both of his. He lifted it to his lips. ‘I know. I’m sorry.’
‘I love you, Liam.’
‘I love you too, Anastasia. More than anything.’
She held his gaze for a moment, but he didn’t say anything more. Instead, they dug into their dinner, both ravenous.
‘What did Mama say when you called her?’
‘She was shocked and upset, but mostly okay. She wants you to call her, no matter how late. I think she just wants to hear your voice.’
After they’d cleared their plates, Ana suggested they sit outside. She’d call her mum, but right now, she just wanted a few moments with Liam.
She lowered herself into a comfortable padded chair as Steph and Louis uncurled themselves from their outdoor beds. Ana smiled as Louis lay his head in her lap and she rubbed his ears.
‘So, how about it?’ Liam asked. ‘Would you and Louis like to live with us?’
Ana swallowed. She glanced quickly at Louis, then back to Liam. ‘Well ... yeah, but don’t you think it’s too soon? I mean, we’ve only known each other a couple of months. And I don’t want today to ...’
‘Nothing about today is influencing my thoughts. But is that a problem for you? That it’s too soon?’
It was quick. Never would she have considered living with a man she’d been dating less than three months.
But Liam was different. She’d always known that.
She shook her head. ‘No.’
‘Me neither. I love you, Anastasia. So, do you want to live with us? Louis’ keen.’
Louis smiled widely, sending her pleading ‘go on’ eyes. And even though her face ached, it didn’t stop her from breaking into a smile herself. ‘Yes, Liam. I do. Louis and I would love to live with you and Steph.’
He grinned, rubbing Steph’s ears before sliding out of his chair. On his knees, he took a few steps over to take her hand in his. The cuckoo clock inside struck twelve.
‘Kiss me.’
She laughed, wondering if he was crazy. ‘What?’
‘Just do it.’
‘But I—’
‘I’ll be gentle. You’re beautiful, Anastasia. Now, kiss me.’
She leaned in and placed her lips on his. It was weird considering they were swollen, sore, and didn’t feel normal, but she kissed him anyway. Liam ran his hands up her arms and caressed her shoulders, his kiss featherlight.
When the cuckoo bird went back inside the clock, he drew away and interlocked his fingers with hers. ‘Do you want to marry me?’
Ana didn’t blink this time. She stared at him, her heart jumping into her throat. ‘What?’
‘You’re going to make me say it again?’ But he didn’t seem to mind as his blue eyes sparkled. ‘Live with me. Marry me. Be my wife. I love you and I’ll never let you go. So, Anastasia Jane Hamilton, will you marry me?’
He was serious. Tears stupidly sprang to her eyes and she smiled. No longer did she feel like the broken Ana, but herself, and the most magnificent man she’d ever met was on his knees asking her to marry him.
Unable to speak as her traumatised throat closed up, she nodded. She tried wiping the tears away, but they kept coming.
Finally, she found her voice. ‘Yes, Liam. Oh my God, yes.’
Ana slid to her knees and went into his arms.
‘I love you, Anastasia.’ He lifted his hand to wipe the tears from her bruised cheeks.
‘I love you too,’ she said as Steph and Louis nosed their way into the embrace.
Ana and Liam opened their arms to let them in. She kissed the top of Steph’s head and smiled at Louis. Together, the four of them would make the perfect little family as they held each other on the back patio of their beautiful home.