Taking a deep breath, McKinnon started to speak, softly at first, then with more strength and conviction. "When I went to Australia, Charly, I was running for my life. All the things about clearing out 'garbage' were happening to me and I wasn't sure I could handle it without your help. But most of it had to do with my ex-wife and my feelings about what had happened between us. I just didn't want to involve you in that. But you were right. I do feel much lighter inside since I got rid of all those negative feelings. And for that I thank you."

He paused to gather his thoughts and she waited quietly, no longer concerned about his restlessness and anxiety. He was doing just fine on his own.

"After I got to Australia and my recall of dreams dried up, I felt abandoned and a bit lost and I picked up the phone a dozen times to call you. But I resisted because I still had a lot of stuff to deal with. I spent most of the holiday wandering around by myself and I'm sure my relatives think I'm more than a bit odd."

"That goes with the turf, McKinnon. Quite a few people have considered me odd, over the years, but it hasn't hurt me any. Go ahead."

"Well, I finally had to admit to myself the truth - the fact that I am in love with you. Studying your dreams, reading the interpretations, waiting impatiently for your notes - all of those things should have told me, but they didn't. It wasn't until I was roaming around on the other side of the planet that I finally realized what I had to do."

Picking up her left hand, he carried it to his lips, pressing them firmly against her grandmother's ring. "Will you let me replace this with my mother's ring, Charly? Will you marry me?" He spoke the words as though they were forced out of him before he was ready. "I feel like the little kid in ninth grade asking his math teacher for a date, but this isn't a crush. I love you, Charly."

Turning to him, she put her arms around him and held him against her, giving him reassurance, warmth and love. Kissing him briefly, she slid her grandmother's ring off and set it on the night table.

"I'm all yours, McKinnon. I think I was from that first moment you barked at me in the boardroom. I just never allowed myself to hope that we could be married, because I knew how deeply your wife's actions hurt you. I had hoped the dreams would help you get cleared of all the negatives, but I'm really surprised at how quickly you've done it. You get an A+."




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