to his, desperate for one more kiss. “Happy Christmas, my love,” she whispered as his lips came down on hers.
**
Later, after dinner, Jocelyn followed Derek outside to fetch more firewood, leaving Jared to regale Josh with stories of great battles. Derek waited for her to catch up.
“I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me. For us,” Jocelyn amended.
“You don’t need to thank me,” Derek said, smiling down at her. “I was happy to do it. So, what now?” he asked.
“We will get married and start a business of our own,” Jocelyn said dreamily. “Somewhere far from here. What about you? Will you finally marry Lydia?”
“No,” Derek said simply. “Lydia is beautiful and accomplished, but I don’t love her, not in the way that matters. I’m going to leave too.”
“And go where?” Jocelyn asked.
“I’ve decided to join the Continental Army,” Derek said sheepishly. “I thought I could avoid taking sides, but I had made up my mind long ago. It’s time I proclaimed my allegiance to the world.”
“Your mother will be heartbroken,” Jocelyn said.
“Perhaps, but I’m a grown man, and I have to do what I think is right. I will sign over the farm to Ben and make my way to Philadelphia.”
“God be with you, Derek,” Jocelyn said as tears prickled in her eyes. “If not for you…”
“If not for me, you’d never have been shot,” he replied huskily.
“If not for you, I would not be this happy.”
“It’s my Christmas present to you. Now, give me one in return. Stay alive, get through this war, and be happy.”
“I’ll do my best. I’ll send my new address to your mother. Perhaps one day you’ll write to me.”
“You have my word,” Derek said. “Now, go back inside before you get ill. Your intended is waiting for you.”
Jocelyn stood on tiptoe and kissed Derek’s cheek, then turned and ran back inside, toward her new life.
Chapter 69
April 2018
London
“How was it?” Gabe asked when Quinn walked into the bedroom, looking a bit worse for wear. He was propped up on several pillows, a book he’d just finished lying on the bedside table next to a plate of biscuits left there by his mum, and a bottle of painkillers. He hadn’t taken any, even though he was still in some pain. But it had been a week since the surgery, and he was determined to get back to normal within the next few days. This lying in bed and being waited on hand and foot was highly overrated, especially when the waiters in question were his and Quinn’s mums, who wouldn’t give him a moment’s peace and carried on as if he might snuff it at any moment.
“A roaring success,” Quinn replied, plopping down onto the bed. “I’m exhausted.”
The house had been filled with the sounds of happy children, frazzled adults, and mad barking emanating from an overexcited Rufus, but finally it had grown quiet.
“Mia was thrilled with her birthday.”
“Tell me everything,” Gabe invited.
“Well, if you’re sure you want to know. The zoo was a madhouse. Olivia managed to wander off, nearly giving Jill and Brian coronaries. She was eventually apprehended by Jude near the monkey cage and brought back kicking and screaming. Apparently, monkeys are the coolest and Jude ruined her entire day.
“Vanessa threw a fit because her balloon flew away, and Rhys paid some lucky woman twenty quid for her toddler’s balloon, which the toddler in question had no intention of parting with. Mayhem ensured, but he didn’t care because Vanessa was happy and that’s all that matters.
“Baby Max slept through the whole thing, lovely boy that he is. And Chrissy showed up, which was unexpected since she just had a cesarean a week ago. She was clearly in pain, but I think she wanted to have this memory of going to the zoo with Max since it seems she’s set to return to the Czech Republic next week.”
Quinn took a deep breath and continued, ignoring Gabe’s bemused stare. “Having saved the day by replacing the balloon, Rhys decided to harass me about the case. He demanded an update, once between the lion enclosure and the mandatory bathroom stop, and then again while I was searching for the birthday candle, which had been lying next to the cake all along.”
“And did you provide him with one?” Gabe asked, his mouth twitching as he tried not to burst out laughing.
“I did. Katya is thrilled that Major Radcliffe got his just deserts and thinks he should be reburied in a septic tank, and