Suddenly, a gigantic wave came barreling toward the pier. Ellie’s eyes flew wide as the menacing wall of water rose higher, higher, a deluge great enough to knock her into the ocean and drag her down into its frightening depths.
Horror clawed through her. She stumbled back, barely escaping the water that crashed onto the pier. She needed to head for cover. Her instincts screamed for her to run back to the hotel.
But something about being there, facing the vastness she’d always feared, while she stood strong against the raging sea, filled her with strength. She’d braved an oncoming hurricane to get to Carter. She’d faced down her most paralyzing fears.
And she was alive. She felt more alive than she had in years.
She stood there one moment more, empowered as she watched the ocean’s violent retaliation against her inner strength and determination to no longer live a life ruled by fear.
A weight lifted off her chest as she came to recognize that there was no curse on her, or her family. There were only choices. She’d made some terrible ones in the past twenty-four hours. She’d forsaken the love of her life, but she could still take control of her fate.
And she could guarantee that her fears never again clouded the knowing in her heart.
Ellie turned away from the ocean and headed back toward the beach. The winds were dying down. Gray skies lifted. An eerie calm settled over the windblown landscape.
“Must be the eye of the hurricane,” she assumed.
The sun broke through the clouds, blinding in its brilliance, comforting in its warmth. This moment seemed to her as if Mother Nature was rewarding her for her perseverance, for battling her fears in the name of love, for taking chances for the sake of her heart. Instead of using the past as an excuse to run from the unknown.
Sunlight glittered on raindrops that sparkled like tiny stars descending from the sky. Breathtaking .
An inner prompting told her to look up.
There, at the entrance to the pier, stood a dark figure. As she drew closer, she recognized his jeans, leather jacket and incredible silver eyes.
Her heart stopped. “Carter?”
The hint of a smile spread on his lips.
“Oh, thank God.” Ellie picked up her pace, running to him. Before she reached the steps, she paused. Shock and turmoil twined with elation. Her voice cracked as she whispered, “What are you doing here?”
“Enjoying the lovely weather we’re having.” He shrugged with a teasing glint in his eyes.
She stammered, “B-but you left…”
He spread his arms. “Obviously not.”
“I thought you went to the mainland with the chopper, with Matilda and James.”
“Couldn’t do it.”
“I’m so glad.” The pressure of intense emotion made her catch her breath. “I’m sorry, Carter. I was stupid to let you go. You mean more to me than this hotel ever could. I ran after you, hoping you’d see me, hoping you’d turn around. One last time. Even if I didn’t deserve it…” A swell of unspeakable feeling clogged her throat.
Similar emotion swam in his eyes. “I never left, Ellie. Because when you love a woman, you stand by her side through anything. Even a hurricane.”
Her body trembled. “Did you just say you love me?”
His smile rivaled the sun. “I can make it more obvious, if you want.” He opened his arms welcomingly. “I love you, Ellie.”
Ellie leaped into his embrace, nearly knocking him over. He laughed and squeezed her tight. Rainwater dripped from their clothes. Then he lifted her chin and sealed her lips with his. Their mouths explored their confessions of love, as if they’d said the words for the first time.
“I’ve always loved you, Carter,” she murmured against his lips. “Thank you for coming back to the island. For standing beside me, and for believing in us.”
“Well, you’re pretty much stuck with me, because I’m not going anywhere,” he affirmed. “For better or worse, through anything this world can throw at us, you’re mine, Ellie. I’m going to marry you, have my children with you, and spend the rest of my life loving you—and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Tears of joy shimmered in her eyes. “I accept.”
His expression turned serious. “I don’t have a ring to make this official. Hell, I don’t even have clean clothes to wear—my bags are on the chopper. But I promise you’ll be wearing a rock the size of Gibraltar as soon as I can get you one, and propose to you the right way.”
She smiled up at him. “You’re here. That’s all the proof I need.” Pulling him down to her again, their mouths joined for another impassioned kiss.