Haunted (Michael Bennett 10)

She looked out over a meadow and said, “Our last full day in Maine.”

“Paradise, for a while.”

She laughed. “A short while.”

I faced her and took her hands in mine. “Look. We need to talk.”

Mary Catherine said, “Michael, I understand why you helped Sandy. I’m proud of you.”

“That’s not what I want to talk about.” We had taken another path and were winding back toward the lake.

She started to ask me more questions, so I just stopped. She stopped with me, realizing how serious I was.

I eased down on my left knee, because my right knee was sore—either from kicking in the door or from some other crazy shit I had done. I reached in my pocket. It took longer than I expected. Then I pulled out the small square box I’d bought the previous day. Just before I had to punch that loudmouth Anthony.

I hadn’t prepared anything. Typical. But looking up at that beautiful face, I was scared. Terrified is probably more accurate. Why on earth would she say yes? I just stared. Speechless.

She knew what was coming. She had to. It felt like I’d been down there on one knee for two hours.

“Mary Catherine,” I began. I was trying to think of the perfect phrase.

Once again she saved me. A smile erupted on her face as she said, “Yes, Michael.”

I just stared at her in stunned silence. Finally, I regained my wits and said, “I love you. I love you more than my own life. You mean everything to me, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you marry me and grow old with me and…”

I had run out of things to say. It didn’t matter. She said, “Yes. Yes, Michael. I’ll marry you.”

I thought, Whew, am I a lucky man. She gets me.

Then I was startled by cheering. Loud cheering.

When I looked up, I realized we had walked back along the lake, and the kids had joined us. They’d seen us from the dock and wanted to be part of this incredible event.

Chrissy did a cartwheel.

Fiona looked like a cheerleader as she jumped up and let out a loud whoop.

As I stood I said, “How’d you guys sneak up on us?”

Seamus stepped forward. “Are you kidding? You were focused. Finally. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.” Seamus stepped over to Mary Catherine and said, “You’ve always been part of this family. This just makes it legal.”

When he hugged her I could see streams of tears running down her cheeks.

Mary Catherine hugged each child. Then she got around to me. It was worth the wait.

We kissed.

Then the kids closed in. We were surrounded. It was the greatest hug ever.

Chapter 93

The van was packed. That’s no small accomplishment with thirteen—sorry—I mean twelve people plus luggage. I took a last look at the Ghost House. Somehow it looked like a comfortable home now instead of a foreboding Victorian spook house.

Mary Catherine stood at the edge of the van and said, “Good memories.”

“The best.”

Mary Catherine said, “Then why do you still have that guilty look on your face? I hope you’re not sorry about working and missing time with the family.”