She shrugs. “I guess so since they did. Someone said that they’ll come back once the funds are raised, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

“That’s insane.”

“It is,” she agrees. “But that’s the age we live in. Money rules everything. I see our after-school activities going once we run out of funding for the teachers or equipment. It’s a hard business, this education. The kids you wanna help, you can’t, and they get lost in the system, when all they need is some love and help along the way. It’s heartbreaking, but at the same time, there are times I can help and it works, ya know?” With a determined nod, she says, “We’ll get our library, and then maybe we can hire ya as our librarian, yeah?”

I smile, my heart breaking for everyone in this school. “I would be honored to.”

“That is if they let ya out of the estate to do more than just make babies and be Declan’s arm candy.”

I don’t think she means to offend me, but I suspect my face gives me away. She quickly backtracks, saying, “That came off a bit rude. I didn’t mean to offend ya.”

“No, it’s fine. Apparently everyone has the same idea of what I am going to do once Declan and I are married, but the truth is, it isn’t like that. He is very sweet and cares what I want. We decide together what we will do. It’s really great, and I know he’d support me to work as a librarian.”

She nods as she looks across the room, smiling when her gaze settles on Declan. “He really is,” she agrees in almost a whisper. Looking back at me, she says, “I came out to him first. He thought I was in love with him, but really, I wanted to be like him. He was strong, popular, and a great guy all around. When he tried to kiss me once, I quickly told him I liked girls and wanted to be his mate instead of his girl. It was funny; we laugh now, but then, it was scary. He has cared for me no matter what, even when my family wasn’t supportive or even his.” She clears her throat, and I can’t believe how hard my heart is pounding in my chest for this woman I’ve just met. “So yeah, I get what ya mean and know that you’re right. He would support ya no matter what. The thing ya might have an issue with is that family of his.”

Noticing where she is looking, I nod. “Yeah, they’ve been somewhat of a problem, but we are considering getting our own place.”

When she laughs, I look at her, surprised. “He isn’t going to leave that house. He was born there, he’s gonna die there with his bride and kids living there too.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “So you’re saying I’m stuck.”

“I mean, he loves ya, and he never expected to find someone he would love when he got married. He was surrounded by so many fake birds, ones out for his money, and now that he has found someone who loves him for him, he might change his ideas a bit. But I wouldn’t hold yer breath.”

“That does worry me because I can’t stand it there.”

She laughs. “Who could, but them? Even Micah doesn’t like it there. Every chance he gets to leave, he does, but then Lena doesn’t really love him neither. She puts on a good front, but he isn’t what her heart wants. She wanted the wanker you’re testifying against.”

Again I whip my head toward her in complete and utter shock. “What?”

“Oh yeah, she loved him something insane, but once he raped her—and he did it because that girl was saving herself for marriage and he couldn’t take it—it all went downhill. Ya don’t come back from the person ya first love, especially when they hurt ya the way Casey did. He not only raped her, but he broke her heart by not being the man she thought he was.”

“Oh my gosh,” I say, shaking my head as I watch Lena and Micah interact.

“But she’ll marry him because it’s what her parents think is right, and she’ll grow to love him. Hell, she may by now, but I know when she first agreed to marry him, she didn’t.”

“Wow,” I say, still in disbelief. “She’s such a sweet girl.”

“Yeah, and Micah is twenty times the man that Casey is. Which, by the way, don’t hold back. Make sure that wanker stays locked up, yeah?”

Meeting her gaze again, I bite the inside of my cheek. I want Casey to pay for his crimes, and I’ve already decided he will, but all I keep seeing is his ma crippled in her bed, thanking me and Aunt Shelia over and over again for paying for her housing. I didn’t tell her who I was, but when I walked out, I considered not testifying against Casey so he could be there for his mom. But then, how is that fair? He has to pay for his mistakes. He does. That’s all there is to it.

“Yeah, he will,” I say as Declan comes toward me, smiling as he wraps his arm around me.

“Gossiping with my lady, yeah, Amy?”

She laughs as she waves him off. “I don’t gossip.”

He laughs along with her. “Ya daft cow! Don’t lie to my face.”

That has them laughing harder as I stand there completely confused since being called a cow isn’t very nice, but I chuckle along, not to be left out.

“Whatever. Hush you,” she says, shaking her head. “But for real. I like her a lot.”

Declan grins as he holds me close. “She’s amazing, yeah?”

“Perfect for ya.”

We share a smile, and I can see the love shining in his eyes. He really is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Soon it’s time to leave, and as we hug Amy, I’m sad to go. I hug her once more as she says, “When I get that library, I’ll be calling ya.”

“And I’ll report the day it opens,” I say as we part and Declan takes my hand. We head to the car and I lean into him, feeling so empowered by today. Which is good. I need something to make me feel good. The trial is starting soon and I am dreading it, but when Declan’s lips press into my temple, I know that it is all going to be okay.

Turning my face, I press my lips to his and smile. “Can I ask you something?” I say as we take our seats next to his dad.

“Of course.”

“I want to buy a library for the school.”

A grin pulls at his lips as he cuddles me into his arms. Before he can answer though, his dad says, “First clothes for these kids, now a library? Ya said she wasn’t after ya money, Declan.”