She followed his gaze.
Seven crosses.
Penny answered honestly.
“I don't know.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You always know.”
“No.”
“I know medicine.”
“I know some law.”
“I know when you're behaving like a stubborn mule.”
“That is not the same as knowing grief.”
Declan stared.
Penny continued:
“You don't have to make meaning out of them today.”
He looked toward Agnes’s grave.
Then Margaret.
Louise.
Helen.
Rose.
Mary.
Abigail.
“I married them.”
“Yes.”
“Some I loved.”
“I know.”
“Some marriages were mistakes.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“And now you.”
Penny’s heart changed rhythm.
“What about me?”
Declan looked terrified again.
Months ago, fear of curse.
Now something more ordinary.
“Why would you still marry me?”
Penny blinked.
“You're serious.”
“Yes.”
“Declan Frost.”
She placed both hands on her hips.
“I dragged you from a frozen river.”
“I spent months investigating seven deaths.”
“I was nearly poisoned.”
“Your cousin arrived carrying my prewritten marriage papers.”
“I pointed his own gun at him.”
“And you think now is when I become cautious?”
A reluctant smile appeared.
Penny moved closer.
“But I am changing one thing.”
His smile vanished.
“What?”
“No test marriage.”
He frowned.
Penny continued:
“If I marry you, it is because I want you.”
“Not because we need legal access.”
“Not because I need to examine pipes.”
“Not because Twin Rivers wants another story.”
Declan swallowed.
“Penny.”
“Yes.”
“I am ten years older.”
“I can count.”
“I've had seven wives.”
“I have noticed.”
“I live halfway to nowhere.”
“I like nowhere.”
He searched desperately for another objection.
Penny waited.
Finally:
“You deserve someone uncomplicated.”
She laughed.
“I would die of boredom.”
Declan looked at her.
Penny softened.
“I deserve someone who sees me.”
“You do.”
“I know.”
“That’s why I'm standing here.”
His eyes lowered.
Penny lifted his chin.
“Do you want me?”
Declan whispered:
“You know I do.”
“No.”
“Say it.”
His breath changed.
“I want you.”
“How much?”
He looked almost tortured.
“Penny.”
She smiled.
“Humor me.”
Declan stepped closer.
His hands settled at her waist.
Firm.
Warm.
“You frighten me.”
“Good start.”
“I think about you when you're gone.”
“Better.”
“I think about you when you're standing three feet away.”
She laughed softly.
Declan continued:
“And every night I remember you sitting by that fire in that thin shift, looking at me like you knew exactly what you were doing.”
Penny’s cheeks warmed.
“I did.”
“That is the problem.”
She moved closer.
“Doesn't sound like one.”