G.o.d, what a relief it was to say those words.

Jane's expression was once more inscrutable. "But not done with the memoir?" she asked. "You're actually going to finish it?"

Here was the critical moment, one that felt more live-or-die than any he'd faced in Afghanistan. He took another deep breath. "If I can get some a.s.sistance."

In an abrupt move, she sat back. "Maybe Frank can find you someone."

His gaze caught hers. "I've already found someone."

"Griffin..."

"Look, your reputation doesn't need me. It doesn't need this job. You're incredible at what you do-you're good with the words, you're good with people. You've already made my memoir so much better."

Her face flushed. "Thank you."

"But this isn't about the book. I need you, Jane." He was certain of this. Find a woman you can value and love every day. "You're the glue. In your eyes I see me, whole and well. Loved...and loving."

She made to rise off the couch.

He grabbed her knees, holding her down. "I love you, Jane Pearson. I can't run from my memories any longer, and I don't want to distance myself from this either. I am desperately in love with you."

She turned her face away from his. "You're riding the adrenaline rush from the fall. Don't say something you'll regret later."

Griffin hadn't come this far to fail. "Let me be the one who never lets go of you, sweetheart." He caressed her bare legs in soft persuasion. "I know I'm not completely healthy, but I promise-"

"It's not that." She whipped her head toward his, and he could see the tears standing in her eyes. "It's... You've been all over the world. Been in perilous places, taken risks that stop my breath. In comparison to all that, will what we might have...will I be enough?"

"Sweetheart..."

"You said my world, this world, is colorless, remember?"

It almost made him laugh. "Honey-pie, when I'm with you, I think of a thousand colors. Your beautiful silvery eyes, your lemon-yellow swimsuit, your pink sunburn, your pumpkin shoes. You're...you're my rainbow." His darling, serious, wonderful, brave, spirited, beautiful, talented Jane. So, so lovable.

He would make it his worthy purpose to a.s.sure her of that every day.

But she didn't yet appear entirely convinced, d.a.m.n it.

"Jane, sweetheart, remember..." His heart felt unmoored in his chest, b.u.mping throat, ribs, belly. Oh, G.o.d, he thought, he had to get this right.

He reached for her hands, held tight. "Remember when I told you that during each moment in war, you hold the certain knowledge that what you're doing might be the very last thing you ever do?"

She nodded, and her mouth was trembling.

He pulled her forward, into his arms. His lips found the smooth skin of her cheek. "Jane. Oh, Jane."

Holding her away again, he hoped that there really was magic in Beach House No. 9, because he wasn't too proud to accept enchanted spells and secret love potions if it meant he could convince her. If it meant he could keep her forever. "I want my very last thing to be you."

There was a taut moment of stunned silence. Then she launched herself into his arms, laughing and crying at the same time. "Oh, G.o.d. I love you, I love you too."

Their kiss was tender and deep, carnal and exuberant. Needing breath, he finally lifted his head. "Jane-"

"Griffin-" she said at the same time.

They smiled at each other. Her eyes sparkled. "We've still got the name thing down, chili-dog. But this time...you first."

He grinned, and then when he opened his mouth to speak, he found himself reaching for a real future, he found himself believing in it for the first time since he'd left Afghanistan, and he finally felt one hundred percent alive, ready to leap for that silver horizon ahead that was waiting for him in Jane's eyes. "Marry me. Please, honey-pie, marry me."

And then he knew there was indeed magic at Beach House No. 9, because his beloved took her own leap, trusting that he would always be there to catch her, to be the one who never let go. Without another hesitation, she said, "Yes."

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ISBN: 9781460303368.

Also available from Christie Ridgway.

and Harlequin HQN.

Beach House Beginnings.

(a prequel novella).

Coming soon.

Bungalow Nights.

The Love Shack.