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“For starters, I didn’t blow up at her.” She gave him a meaningful look.
“I know.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I need to apologize to her. She caught me off guard. I mean, Mom’s birthday? Really?”
“Although she was misguided, her heart was in the right place.” Rose debated briefly whether to tell him the new date Lanie had proposed. Perhaps if she did, he would react better when Lanie told him herself. “She’s considering Christmas now.”
He rubbed his chin. “That’s better, though a bit overdone.” He groaned. “And so soon? Why is she in such a rush?”
Rose shrugged. “She and Nate lost so much time after what happened between them, I suppose they don’t want to waste another minute.”
“I guess.” He didn’t sound convinced. “Enough about my sister. How’s work?”
“The board has scheduled a meeting on August first to discuss the head nurse position.”
His eyes widened. “Oh? Do you think they’ll offer it to you?”
“It’s too soon to say, but Dr. Myers thinks it’s likely.”
“Wow, that would be quite the wedding present.”
Her jaw clenched. It’s not a “present.” I worked hard for this promotion. Breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth, she shook her head. Don’t overreact. I’m sure he didn’t mean it that way.
She was saved from needing to respond by the arrival of the server. Steven gestured for her to go first.
“I’ll have the Chicken Chesapeake with a salad,” Rose said.
The server nodded and took her menu. “And for you, sir?”
“I’ll have a New York strip.”
He can’t be serious. She stared at him, but he didn’t meet her gaze. Her heart thumped in her chest as she willed the server to leave.
“What are you doing?”
Finally, he looked at her and smiled. “Having a lovely meal with my future wife.”
“You know what I mean.”
With an exasperated sigh, he gestured to the restaurant. “We’re in a steakhouse, Rose. What did you think I was going to order?” He took a sip of water. “Besides, I haven’t had any red meat since the accident. Dr. Myers said I had to limit how much I ate, but he didn’t say I couldn’t have any.”
As much as she hated to admit it, he had a point. Still, it was risky. Especially since he was still in the wheelchair and had limited mobility. It would be better for his heart if he avoided certain foods until he could exercise regularly again.
Once more, they were treading toward dangerous territory. Rose decided to change the subject. “Lanie and I had a good conversation about the fundraiser, though she’s going to run our ideas past Trudy before she makes any final decisions.”
He leaned forward and took her hand. “I’m glad you’re open to the idea. I know how much you hate relying on other people for help.”
“It’s not about me, it’s about us. And we’d do the same for anyone else in Cedar Haven if the situation were reversed.”
“Very true.” He smiled and squeezed her hand. “Have I mentioned how excited I am to marry you?”
“Not lately,” she teased, unable to stop the grin that spread over her face. The tension in her shoulders eased. She’d missed that, how easy things used to be between them.
“Well, I’d tell you my heart skips a beat every time I think about it, but I’d be afraid you’d haul me back to Dr. Myers for another round of testing.”
Rose giggled, and a weight lifted as she fell into their familiar banter. “I’ll have him do a full workup the day before our wedding just to be sure. Wouldn’t want you to faint when you see my dress.”
His eyes darkened. “I’m looking forward to seeing you in it… and out of it.”
Warmth rushed to her cheeks. “Steven!”
