“Well, I don’t have to get up early or anything. I usually have everything ready to go the night before and once I put the turkey in, there’s plenty of time to prepare the extras. I make the stuffing separately, so the turkey won’t take as long to cook. Potatoes will be peeled by my little brother, and that activity comes with the added bonus of keeping him out of trouble for a while.”
“Is he really apt to get into trouble without something to do every second?”
“No, but structure is good for him.”
“You know him better than I do. So, what’s next? After you get the food prepared?”
“My sisters-in-law will arrive by eleven with more side dishes to keep warm in the oven and pies for dessert.” She had thoughtof everything, right? So why was she so nervous?
Jason headed toward Storrow Drive, which would take them to the southeast expressway, then to route 95—and home to Rhode Island.
Jason.He had to love her family, and they had to love him.Hadto!They were all too significant to her for anyone to feel less than enthusiastic about her choice.
Yes, she had made her decision. No more looking around. Even if she wasn’t one hundred percent sure the timing was right, the man was. And that was more important, right?
Part of her wanted to experience independence for longer than a few weeks before finding the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. The other part of her couldn’t get over the fact that she’d found the man of her dreams so quickly and easily. Not to say this euphoria was going to last. She knew the passion would someday become a simmer, but she couldn’t imagine the fire going out—ever.
“So, does Roz make an appearance? Since you two are from the same town, I imagine she’ll be there for the holiday, too.”
“No. She doesn’t usually come over. It’s just family.”
Merry thought about how Roz had dated off and on, hoping that each new man was “the one.” Sadly, none of her relationships had worked out. She was intelligent, successful, and despite being a little chunky, beautiful. Roz deserved no less than an amazing man who loved her completely. Yet, Merry was the one who ended up with exactly what they’d both yearned for. True love.
She couldn’t help feeling a little guilty for barely setting foot in the dating waters and coming up with an incredible hottie. But Roz would understand and be happy for her—wouldn’t she? Of course she would. That was probably the test of true friendship.
Merry tried to shake off her insecurity and drag her mindback to the moment. Jason still seemed tentative. What was going on in that handsome head of his? She stared out the window and lapsed into silence.
Jason’s mind had whirled with questions all the way to Schooner, Rhodes Island. One in particular. Should he pull the ring out of his pocket before, during, or after this visit? Before would give them the chance to announce it to her family if she said yes. But what if she said no? That was entirely possible, since they had only known each other for six weeks.
Merry pointed out her family’s driveway, so he had a split second to decide. Even if he decided not to decide right now, that was making a decision.Crap. Why couldn’t it be as easy as knowing whether to throw a fastball or a changeup?Realizing that Merry might throw him one hell of a curveball if he did it in front of her family, he bypassed her driveway.
“Hey! Where are you going?”
“We’re early,” he said. “And there’s something I want to tell you. Is there someplace we can park for a couple of minutes? Maybe someplace with a view?”
She tilted her head and scrutinized him like she was trying to read his mind.
“Uh, yeah. Keep going until you get to the stop sign and turn left. There’s a view of the ocean down there.”
“Perfect.”
“Is something wrong? Do you want to back out? You can always drop me off and someone can drive me back…”
“No! I mean, no—nothing’s wrong.”
Her forehead wrinkled, but she didn’t say anything more until he found the spot she must have had in mind and cut the engine. The harbor seemed deserted. Fishing boats floatednearby. The seagulls seemed disinterested and bored. He didn’t care to hunt them as much as pigeons and mourning doves. The latter were delicious. Probably because in urban areas birds were fed by humans. Seagulls ate whatever they could scavenge, and diarrhea made them poop on everything in sight. At leasthehad the decency to aim at a tree or rooftop.
Maybe this was a bad idea. He still hadn’t told her his little secret. Only she might not think it was so little.
“Well? You wanted to talk to me about something?”
“Uh, yeah.” He removed his seat belt and faced her, squarely. “I know we haven’t known each other all that long…” he began and paused. Now what? He had rehearsed this in his mind, but the words seemed inadequate now.
She nodded, then tilted her head, waiting for more.
“Geez. Words are failing me,” he said, and took a deep breath.
“Look, whatever it is, I love you. Nothing will change that.”
