Wickingham Way (A Harbour Falls Mystery #3) by S.R. Grey

next to him and arched an eyebrow. “Please,” he added when I made no attempt to move.
    I hesitantly slid down to the cushions.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered as he placed his hand on my knee. “I don’t want to fight with you, baby.”
    I blew out a breath. “I know, and I don’t want to fight with you, either.” I didn’t—not anymore.
    I curled up in Adam’s arms and he rested his chin against the top of my head. “Are you getting sick of me already?” he whispered into my hair.
    “No, not at all,” I assured him.
    When he didn’t reply, I sat up and met his deep blue eyes, so clear today, so serene. Even with the Wickingham Way project proceeding along—and Adam still marked for assassination—I’d never really seen him so at peace, despite our minor disagreement. I had to admit this time away was good for him.
    Adam tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Well, I’m certainly glad you’re not sick of me, as I could see how it could happen—”
    “Oh, stop.” I smacked his arm playfully, and he pulled me closer.
    “I’m just kidding. I think this time away has actually been good for us.”
    His arm was partway around my shoulder, and I placed a light kiss on the solid bicep that bulged through his long-sleeved shirt.
    I nodded in agreement. “I actually think it has too. And I wasn’t really mad at you. All this snow just has me feeling a little stir crazy. And seeing Erin here, and then watching her leave… Just knowing she’s free to go anywhere.”
    “I know, I know.” Adam drew me close and held me tightly. “We’ll take some walks or something as soon as these storms pass. Just to get away from these four walls.”
    That sounded like heaven to me, and I told Adam as much. We sat awhile longer, just gathering comfort from relaxing in one another’s arms.
    At one point, Adam wound a lock of my hair around his fingers and asked, “Do you think about the future, Maddy?” Clearing his throat, he added, “Like our future, down the road?”
    I thought about my future with Adam—a lot—and there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. We’d spoken words of forever during the past few months—and it was kind of assumed we were in this for the long haul—but we’d never specifically discussed where our relationship was heading.
    “I think about our future often,” I admitted. “And I want to be with you, Adam, only you, always. I love you.”
    “Do you think about children?” he asked, his tone hesitant, like he was feeling the idea out, seeing where my thoughts were on the subject.
    I drew in a sharp breath but for the best possible reason. There was no other man whose children I’d rather bear. Adam Ward was it for me, so I meant it completely when I whispered, “Yes. And I’d want those children to be yours.”
    Adam straightened and turned to me so that we were facing one another. He held my gaze, his blue eyes…happy.
    “I want all those things, too, Maddy. With you.” He took a deep breath. “Marriage…children…a future… I want to grow old with you.”
    Tears welled in my eyes. I wanted those same things, so very, very much.
    Adam said, “If we get through this—”
    I quickly placed a finger across his soft, full lips, halting his words. “Not if, Adam, never if. When we get through this.” He smiled and kissed my finger, still on his lips, and then he lowered my hand to his side.
    “ When ,” he said, stressing the word as I’d just done. “When we get through this, I want forever for us. But I want to do it right.”
    My heart filled with joy, as it sounded as if he planned to do what I’d only dreamed would someday happen. Adam Ward was going to ask me to marry him.
    *
    The next few days were perfect. The winter storms subsided, and Adam and I—as he’d promised—took long walks in the melting snow. It was only late February, but a hint of spring could be felt in the air. Spring. And for me and Adam—a