Free Forever Mine: Callaghan Brothers, Book 9 by Abbie Zanders

and lifted. She was every bit as soft as he remembered.
    She laced her fingers with his, and his heart soared. It was a good thing, because now that he’d seen her, he was quite sure he was never going to let her go again.
    “Welcome back, son,” Conlan said, clasping him on the shoulder. “Come, sit. We’ll get ye something te eat.”
    Food? Who could think about food? His thoughts must have shown clearly on his face, because Conlan gave a knowing chuckle. “Aye, I ken ye have some catching up te do, but ye can do so with something hot in yer belly.”
    They moved to the round booth in the back corner, the most secluded table in the place. “Katie-belle, ye are officially off-duty. I’ll get ye both some coffee. And remember,” the older man said with a wink and twinkle in his eye, “this is a family place.”
    Kathleen blushed as they slid in next to each other, but she kept her hand in his. “I knew you would keep your promise,” she murmured.
    It was a heady feeling to know someone believed in him so absolutely. There were times when even he had his doubts, not for lack of effort, but because of circumstances beyond his control. And in that moment, he swore to never, ever willingly let this amazing woman down.
    “I wouldn’t have made it without you,” he replied truthfully. “Knowing you were waiting...”
    “Always,” she whispered.
    Conlan brought them coffee, soup, and sandwiches. “It’s good to have you home, Jack.”
    “It’s good to be home, Mr. O’Leary.”
    “Now maybe my daughter will start smiling again, eh?”
    “I’ll do my best, sir. Speaking of, might I have a word?”
    The old man’s eyes lightened. “Aye.”
    “Kathleen, would you excuse us for a moment?” She didn’t want to release his hand, but he brought hers up to his lips and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Just a moment, I promise.”
    She nodded. “I should go freshen up a little anyway.”
    Jack didn’t think so. She looked beautiful. Had this not been so important, he wouldn’t have given her the chance. He couldn’t help but watch as she walked away, the slight sway of her hips, the swing of her ponytail, resurrecting long-dormant sensations. Only when she disappeared behind the double doors did he turn to her father.
    “Sir, I’d like to marry your daughter.”
    “Ye don’t beat around the bush, do you, lad?”
    “No, sir. I love Kathleen, and I don’t want to waste another minute.”
    Conlan studied him, then nodded. “Aye. Ye are a good man. If she’ll have ye, I’ve no objections.”
    Relief washed over him. He liked the old man, and wanted his blessing, but in truth, nothing would have stopped him. “Thank you, sir.”
    “Will ye be proposing then?”
    “Aye.” Jack pulled out the small box he’d purchased years earlier on his last visit home. The one he’d hidden in his closet. Thankfully, it didn’t appear that Kathleen had discovered his secret hiding place.
    “Good lad.”
    Kathleen returned, no longer in her uniform, but in a pair of figure-hugging bell-bottomed jeans and a loose, flowery top. Her hair was down, brushed to a soft shine and curling around her shoulders. Both Jack and Conlan stood at her approach.
    Wobbling a bit, Jack steadied himself with a hand on the table as he went down on one knee. “Kathleen Siobhan O’Leary, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
    The diner went silent as Kathleen lifted a trembling left hand out to him. Her voice was clear as she gave him her answer. “Aye, Jack Padraig Callaghan. I will.”
    Jack slipped the ring on her finger. Cheers erupted as Jack stood and took his fiancée in his arms.
    “Ready to get out of here?” he asked breathlessly.
    “So ready,” she grinned.
    “I guess I’ll just wrap this up for ye, then,” Conlan said, his green eyes bright with amusement and warning. “I’ll expect my daughter home by midnight, and in the same pristine condition in which she’s leaving.”
    “Da! I’m twenty-five