Val’s voice.They were home.They came into the living room and Letty stopped kissing Riley long enough to say to her friend, “Go away.”
“It’s my house.”
“Oh yeah.Well then, we’ll leave.The baby is fed, bathed, and sound asleep.She was great.”Both she and Riley got up.
“Thank you both for babysitting,” Val said.
“Happy to do it,” Riley said as they put on their coats and hats.
Liam hadn’t said anything, but he was smiling.She noticed he gave Riley a thumbs-up.
Riley stopped and kissed Val’s cheek on his way out.“Thanks, Sis.”
“I’d say you owe me but I’m almost as happy as you two are.”
“Can you come to my apartment?”Letty asked as they walked toward their vehicles.
“Absolutely.Let’s take my truck and I’ll bring you back in the morning for your car.”
“I have the day off.”
“Even better,” he said, and kissed her.
*
Six Months Later
Riley and Lettyhad been together for six months after their ‘fling.’Actually, since they got back together.Which Riley hoped was plenty of time for Letty to decide to get married.He was ready.But then, he’d been ready for a long time.
He had the ring.His grandmother’s diamond engagement ring.It wasn’t huge but it was really pretty.He pulled it out and looked at it sometimes, imagining it on Letty’s left ring finger.It was a flawless, sparkling round stone surrounded by small diamonds, in an old-fashioned platinum setting.Val had known Letty’s ring size from shopping with her, so he got it sized.Now it was just waiting for Letty to say yes.
What if she didn’t?What if she still wasn’t ready?He could wait but he was tired of sneaking into the guest bedroom when Letty stayed over at the ranch.Even though Jasper and Lorraine knew very well that they were sleeping together, they liked to pretend they weren’t.Thus the guest bedroom.
His parents were building a smaller house on the property that was close to being finished, which Riley still found hard to believe.They said they wanted a smaller place regardless of what Riley did.He’d explained to them Letty wasn’t ready, but they’d decided to go on and build.Jasper was less interested in working every day and he could take it easier if he wasn’t at the big house, seeing everything that needed to be done.Riley was happy since not only did he get the ranch house, but his parents would also be close by, and it would be easier to help them when they needed it.
Everything hinged on Letty.He knew she loved him.He thought she was ready for the next step, but he wouldn’t be sure until he asked her.As far as he was concerned, they could have a long engagement if that was what she wanted, although he hoped it wouldn’t be too long.But hell, here he was planning things when she hadn’t even agreed to marry him.
His parents had gone out of town to visit one of his mom’s cousins so it seemed like the perfect time to have a nice dinner and pop the question.He talked to Mercy, who was thrilled to make them dinner and give him instructions on how to warm it up.Then all he had to do was buy some flowers, light a few candles, and call it ready.
As usual, Letty brought Babette with her.The little dog loved playing with all the dogs at the ranch.She and Sergeant, his mom’s older rescue mutt, adored each other.
He realized he was ridiculously nervous once Letty arrived.She must have noticed something was off about him.“Are you okay, Riley?You seem…I don’t know.Like you’re worried or something.”
“Mercy made dinner and left instructions on how to heat it up but I’m afraid I’ll screw it up.”Which was sorta true.
“Oh, that’s sweet.Don’t worry, I’ll help.”She looked at him again and said, “Is that a new shirt?It’s pretty.”
“I got tired of my old T-shirts.”This one was a polo type in blue, which was Letty’s favorite color.As usual, Letty looked great in tight jeans and a summer sleeveless top.But then, he thought Letty looked great in anything she wore.Or nothing.
He’d known Letty wouldn’t magically get over her fears, but she’d been working hard and going to counseling to get a handle on them.She’d even told him she thought the counseling was helping her come to grips with her fears.
The two of them managed to get dinner ready without any terrible screwups.Mercy’s lasagna, salad, and French bread was a favorite for both of them.“Look at you with the candles,” Letty said.“Is this a special occasion?”
“I hope so.”
“But you’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“Later.”
