It was still in my jacket pocket, right where I tucked it before I went to the airport.

  “Let’s really make it official,” I said. My lungs tightened, and my heart kept beating faster and faster.

  “What do you mean?”

  I slipped my hand into my jacket pocket and pulled out the small ring box. “I got this because I know I want to marry you. Let’s just do it. We’re on the ferry. We can do it right now. We don’t have to do the ceremony now, but I love you, Quinn. I know without even the littlest bit of doubt that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Let me be the one for you. Please.”

  Quinn’s eyes were wide, and her mouth fell slightly open. She took a shaky breath, and a tear rolled down her cheek as a smile broke across her face.

  “Oh my God, Kenan. You remembered,” she breathed.

  Her eyes dipped down to the ring sitting in the box. It was a platinum band with a simple amethyst set in the center.

  “Of course I remembered. I never forget anything when it comes to you.”

  I slipped out of the booth and knelt on one knee at her side. It was a little cramped, but she turned to face me.

  She blinked rapidly. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  We’d drawn the attention of the other ferry passengers nearby, and a cheer went up as I slid the ring on her finger.

  The next few days were the best days of my life. I knew there would be more of the best days of my life ahead, but I needed this time with Quinn. I had her all to myself. We kept up with our old game of tracking whatever wildlife we saw.

  I told Quinn I’d been afraid she had gone to Seattle for IVF treatment. She’d laughed and told me that every time she tried to look at the profiles, all she could think about was me. We decided together we would see what happened the old-fashioned way.

  “Are you in a hurry?” I asked on our last night on the ferry.

  It was our third night of sleeping in a single bunk together. We kept ourselves busy not sleeping because sleeping comfortably with two people in those narrow bunks was hard.

  She wrinkled her nose as she looked up at me. “Well, I am almost thirty. So no, but yes.”

  I leaned my head against the wall inside the bunk. “What does ‘no but yes’ mean?”

  “Well, now that we’re together officially, I know I have time to try to get pregnant. I’m not by myself in this. But there could be issues. I’ve never tried to get pregnant, so we won’t know how it goes until we try.”

  “We’re trying now then, and we’ll see what happens.”

  A part of me was shocked at how easily I had accepted this. Maybe it just had to be Quinn. With her, it was easy. I couldn’t imagine a stronger foundation for a lifetime. Oh, I wasn’t stupid. In my own life, I’d already experienced enough hurdles and painful experiences that I knew love wasn’t all we would need to get through this. I had faith that we could do it together.

  Quinn’s eyes coasted over my face, a smile teasing the corners of her mouth. “Okay, no but yes, and we’ll get started on that right away.”

  She was laughing when I kissed her.

  “Thank you,” I said while the ferry docked in Fireweed Harbor.

  She leaned back to look up at me. “For what?”

  “Letting me be the one.”

  Epilogue

  McKenna Cannon

  I hurried onto the ferry, coming to an abrupt stop as I glanced around. “There won’t be enough room,” I muttered to myself.

  I walked briskly across the deck into the hallway leading to the ferry dining area. Because there was no way to have a private ferry ride, and Kenan and Quinn were bound and determined to have their wedding on the regular ferry route, the planning challenges had been epic.

  I was trying to accept that I couldn’t control everything for this wedding. It wasn’t even my wedding. I walked around the space, eyeing everything beyond my control. They had allowed me to decorate, sparsely, in my opinion.

  We were limited with how many guests, and all of them had to be ferry passengers. Fortunately, anyone who was a friend of Kenan and Quinn’s would enjoy a ferry ride.

  With some arm-twisting, I got permission to use the kitchen for the event. With two world-class chefs as guests, I couldn’t stomach, no pun intended, having a cafeteria-style reception. We had a table set up in the center of the dining area. Fiona and David had planned the menu to be easy to prepare and ready as soon as the ceremony was over.

  With one last glance around and a check on the status of the food, I raced out of there. Kenan had stayed with Adam last night. Although Quinn insisted she wasn’t superstitious, she also said she couldn’t spend the night with him the night before the wedding.

  As luck would have it, the ferry had needed a maintenance check in Fireweed Harbor. That gave me time to make it all work. I had done some pleading and donated money from Fireweed Industries to the ferry system to make this happen.

  The weather was gorgeous. It was summer and warm and pretty. Considering how fickle weather could be, no matter where you were, that stroke of luck relieved me. I hurried down the hallway to check on Quinn. Adam had already texted me to assure me that he would get Kenan here on time. Adam was nothing if not punctual for everything, so I knew he would be on time.

  I knocked lightly on the door to the cabin where Quinn was getting ready. Her mother opened the door with a smile. “We’re almost ready.”

  I slipped into the tiny entrance area of the cabin. Quinn looked beautiful.

  Pressing my palm to my chest, I blinked back tears. “Quinn! You look amazing. That dress is perfect.”

  Quinn, definitely more practical than me and not as prone to displays of emotion, turned to face me. “McKenna, you were with me when I tried this dress on. You’ve already seen it,” she pointed out, her smile warm.

  “I know, but it’s your wedding day.”

  Quinn took a quick breath, belying her attempt at appearing calm. I stepped forward and reached for both of her hands. “I’m so happy for you and Kenan.”

  She blinked quickly. “I know you are.” Her gaze coasted over me. “You look beautiful too.”

  “Well, I am your maid of honor. I have to look good.”

  Quinn giggled, and I squeezed her hands before releasing them. Her mother glanced between us with a smile. “Twenty minutes until go time, right?”

  I glanced at my watch. “I need to check on a few more things. Everything else is on schedule. I’m out of here.”

  I stepped out of Quinn’s cabin into the narrow hallway and began walking quickly. I was looking down at my phone, checking to make sure the rest of my family had replied to my group text to confirm everyone was already here or on the way.

  A door ahead of me opened, and I literally walked right into it. Hard.

  “Ouch!” I stepped back, dropping my phone as I brought a hand to the eye that had bumped into the corner of the door. “I’m sorry!” I exclaimed.

  A man appeared from behind the door. My entire system felt zapped with nothing more than a glance at him.

  The man in question had almost black hair and startlingly blue eyes. They widened when they landed on me. “You’re not the one who needs to apologize. I’m sorry,” he said. I held my hand over the eye that was watering from its collision with the edge of the door. “I opened the door right into you. Are you okay?”

  He stepped around the door, closing it behind him and leaning down to pick up my phone. My fingers tingled when he handed it to me. “Let me see.” His low tone had a subtle rasp to it.

  My insides felt ticklish as hot sparks scattered through me. He lifted a hand, carefully moving mine off my eye. “Oh,” he said gently. “You bumped right into that door. I hate to tell you, but I think you’ll have some bruising.”

  I couldn’t even speak as I stared at him. I took in his dark brows and the clean, sharp angles of his cheekbones. And, sweet hell, this man had a sexy jaw. I’d never thought any man’s jaw was sexy. His was strong, and his chin a little square. He had a hint of stubble, tempting me to run my fingers along the edges of it. His lips were well formed. Lips were nothing I’d ever noticed on any human in my life. The upper one had a dip in the middle, and the bottom one was full.

  “Are you okay?” he repeated.

  My brain finally kicked into gear, like a car that hadn’t started suddenly roaring to life. I was mortified because I’d been awestruck by this man.

  When he had lifted his hand to check my eye, he had gently moved mine to the side and lowered it. We stood there, sort of holding hands. His grip was warm and dry, and I thought maybe we should keep holding hands forever.

  “I’m going to have some bruising?” I belatedly prompted, only then absorbing what he said.

  He nodded slowly. “I’m afraid so.”

  “I’m supposed to be in a wedding.”

  “You’re getting married?” His eyes widened, alarm crossing his face.

  “Well, not me,” I said quickly. “I’m the maid of honor in my brother’s wedding.”

  “Now?”

  “In”—I glanced at my watch—“seventeen minutes.”

  He studied me for a moment, a tiny grin kicking up one corner of his mouth and sending my belly into a few flips. “Well then, it’s a good thing it’s soon. Bruising always gets worse later. It’ll probably still just be red in about seventeen minutes.”

  Maybe it was because I had just run into the door, or perhaps it was because I was flustered and in a rush, but it felt like the earth moved, for real. I couldn’t bring myself to care all that much. I was stunned.

  “Ma’am?” the man standing in front of me prompted.

  That kicked through the haze in my brain. “Oh my God. Don’t call me ma’am.”

  He cleared his throat. “I don’t know your name.”

  “It’s McKenna. McKenna Cannon.” We were still holding hands, and I didn’t want to let go.

  “Nice to meet you, McKenna. I’m Jack Hamilton.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jack. Are you going somewhere on the ferry?” I asked.

  Once again, a smile teased the corners of his lips. My belly fluttered. I was hot, really hot. It had to be my dress.

  “Yes. I’m taking the ferry to Diamond Creek. I assume you are as well?”

  “Yes, oh yes!” I said quickly.

  A door opened just ahead, and my brother Rhys stepped out. He glanced in both directions in the hallway, his eyes landing on Jack and me. I loved knowing his name. Jack was the perfect name for this man.

  “McKenna?” Rhys said as he closed the door behind him and began approaching us.

  I was so discombobulated it wasn’t until Rhys stopped beside us and dropped his puzzled gaze to where my hand was clinging to Jack’s that I realized I was still holding Jack’s hand.

  I reluctantly released it, smoothing both of my hands down my dress. “What happened to your eye?” Rhys asked.

  He looked at Jack, and I quickly interjected. “I was walking down the hallway, looking at my phone when I ran into the door when he came out.”

  “I think she’ll have some bruising,” Jack said with an apologetic wince when he glanced toward Rhys.

  Rhys studied me, his brows hitching up slightly. “Good thing that ceremony is happening soon.”

  “That’s what I was thinking,” I managed.

  “Shall we walk down there together?” Rhys prompted.

  “Where is Haven?” I asked.

  “Already up on deck.”

  Rhys glanced toward Jack. “Rhys Cannon,” he said with a nod.

  “Jack Hamilton.” Jack dipped his head. When his eyes flicked to me, I felt caught in his gaze.

  “If you want to enjoy a wedding,” I interjected. “Our brother is getting married up on the deck once we leave the dock.”

  “It’s for everybody?”

  “They wanted to get married on a ferry, so that’s the deal,” Rhys said with a wry grin.

  “I might be up there. I usually like to be on the deck when the ferry leaves the dock. The weather is beautiful today,” Jack replied.

  Rhys and Jack chatted about a few things before Jack glanced my way once more. “Apologies again about the door.”

  “It truly wasn’t your fault. I wasn’t paying attention.”

  With that, Rhys and I said our goodbyes and began walking down the hall.

  Just before we stopped at the doorway onto the deck, Rhys asked, “So how is it you ended up holding Jack’s hand?”

  I stopped and looked up. “How bad does my eye look?”

  My brother studied me. “It’s red, and a little bruising is showing.”

  A short while later, Kenan and Quinn pledged their commitment to each other. I temporarily forgot about running into the door and how handsome Jack was. I teared up at the end of the ceremony. I was truly so happy for Kenan and Quinn.

  Afterward, I stood on the deck, the wind blowing my hair a little wild. I looked over at Quinn. “You’re officially my sister-in-law. I need all the sisters I can get,” I teased as I slid my hand through her elbow and squeezed.

  Quinn smiled at me. “I’m thrilled to be your sister-in-law.”

  I let out a happy sigh as I looked around. We had lots of food, enough for all of the passengers. Just then, my gaze landed on Jack. He stood at the corner of the table, talking with my brothers Wyatt, Griffin, and Adam.

  “Great,” I thought to myself.

  I didn’t realize I’d spoken aloud until Quinn asked, “Great, what? By the way, what’s with your eye?”

  I grimaced. “I ran into the door when someone was coming out of their room. That guy right over there.” I gestured toward Jack.

  Quinn glanced over. “Oh. Well, if you’re going to run into someone opening the door, it might as well be him. He’s pretty easy on the eyes,” she said just as Kenan stopped at her side, glancing over in that direction.

  “Who is that guy?” he asked. “Rhys said he had something to do with your black eye.”

  “Oh my God,” I ground out. “He was coming out of his room. I was looking at my phone, making sure everybody was coming on time, and I ran into the door with my face.”

  Kenan burst out laughing. I couldn’t help but laugh myself. “It’s getting pretty purple.” He gestured toward my eye.

  “It’s fine. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.” I lifted my hand, gently tapping my fingertips over the surface. It was a little sore, but it really wasn’t bad. “I’ll be back. I’m going to take a look at it and change.”

  I hurried down the hallway into my room to change out of my dress into something more comfortable. A few minutes later, I studied myself in the mirror. My eye wasn’t that bad, but the skin around it was turning purple. Oh well, oh hell. The wedding was a success, and I had a story.

  I exited my room, only to almost collide with Jack walking down the hallway.

  He glanced down at me, his gaze holding mine instantly. “Beautiful wedding. Your eye doesn’t look too bad.”

  I shrugged, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “I have a black eye, and it’s nobody’s fault but my own.”

  “I do feel partially responsible. If I hadn’t opened that door right then, you wouldn’t have run into it.”

  I shrugged. “It’s okay. Well, I’m sure I’ll see you on the ferry again. It’s a three-day trip.”

  “I think I’ve met your whole family now. You have a big family.”

  I laughed softly. “There are seven of us, and that’s not counting my mom.”

  “You’re all from Fireweed Harbor, I gather?” he prompted.

  “We sure are. What brought you to town for a visit?”

  “I’m moving there. I’ll probably see you once I move.”

  I had no idea what I said after that. At some point, Jack kept walking down the hallway. He was the first man who’d ever muddled my thoughts like that.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Kenan & Quinn’s story! Want a glimpse of the future for them? Join my newsletter to receive an exclusive scene.

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  My next release is Meant to Be, a holiday romance that gets H-O-T when Piper ends up snowed in with her brother’s best friend. Small problem: there’s only one bed.

  * * *

  One-click to pre-order Meant To Be - due out Nov 16, 2023!

  Up next in the Fireweed Harbor Series is One More Time.

  * * *

  McKenna ends up with a black eye when she meets Jack. Sort of, but not really, his fault.

  * * *

  Black eye aside, the earth shakes when she meets him. But McKenna only believes in love for other people. Unlucky might as well be her middle name.

  * * *

  Jack doesn’t care about luck and he’s a breath-stealing, swoony hotshot firefighter. He can’t forget McKenna, although she makes him forget plenty of other things.

  * * *

  Don’t miss McKenna & Jack’s swoony, hot and intense romance!

  * * *

  One More Time - due out February 2024!

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