She smiled, looking delighted that she’d finally had a chance to meet the woman who’d stolen Loran’s heart. “Judging by the way that young lady was looking at you I’d say you managed to work things out.”
“We’re still trying.”
The fact that she’d invited him for coffee was a good sign. Unless she intended to tell him she didn’t need time to think because she already knew their relationship couldn’t go anywhere.
Suddenly his heart was hammering for a completely different reason.
“What’s wrong?” Stella asked, touching his hand. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, honey.”
“Just, uh, wondering what Bella wanted to talk to me about.” He rarely held back with Stella. He was supposed to be here to help distract her from her problems, but he’d learned that probing into his life was her favorite distraction.
“You seem worried. Did you two have a fight?”
“Something like that.”
She smiled. “When my Herbert and I fought he always brought me flowers or candy to apologize. You should do that.”
“Thanks, I’ll think about it.” He could give Bella anything and everything she ever dreamed of and the only thing he wanted in return was her love. Was that too much to ask for?
“She seems like a sweet girl.”
He wasn’t sure sweet was the word he’d use to describe Bella. Sexy. Sassy. Strong. Opinionated. Ambitious. And he loved every damn thing about her. “She’s… special. That’s for sure.”
“You want to marry her.”
Stella always cut to the chase. She claimed she’d always been like that, but living with a terminal illness for months only made her less likely to put up with B.S.
He stifled a cough behind his hand. “Uh, I—”
“Well?” she snapped. “Do you or don’t you?”
“I do.”
“So, what are you waiting for? Ask her already.”
“It’s not that simple, Stella.” He gave her an affectionate smile. “We’re not there yet. Honestly, I’m not sure we ever will be.”
She rolled her eyes. “You young people have to complicate everything. When you get to be my age you’ll realize that life passes in the blink of an eye and you don’t have a minute to waste.”
Volunteering had taught him that lesson, the hard way. He heard so many stories of people who claimed they’d lived their lives for someone else or had never taken the kind of risks that could have made them happy.
“I just don’t want to rush her.”
“Rush her? How old is she? I’m guessing she’s been legal a good long time.”
He laughed. That was the nice thing about Stella. Even though it was his job to cheer her up she never failed to make him laugh with her sharp tongue and quick wit. She claimed the cancer may be stealing her body but it wouldn’t take her mind.
“Yeah, I guess she has. But marriage isn’t for everyone.” It pained him to admit it, but he said, “I’m not sure it’s for Bella.”
“You’ve asked her.”
“Yeah.”
“And?” Her hands continued to work on her project while she stared at him, awaiting a response. “What did she say?”
“She implied I was rushing her.”
“If she loved you she’d know.” She touched a hand to her heart. “If she doesn’t, well, no amount of time will make a difference.”
