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Irritation and sorrow mingled within her as Steve made a great manly show of things and captured her lips. The patrons applauded, and she held herself stiffly in his arms.
Confusion andconcerncrossedhisfeatures. “What’s the matter? You know that I love you,” he whispered.
She drew away from him, cursing the crowd surrounding them, and drank to drown her disappointment.
They lingered so long at the pub that they skipped going to a restaurant for dinner and grabbed sandwiches to eat on their deck.
Fighting her lousy mood, Lillian claimed a headache.
“I’m tired, I’m going to bed right away.”
“Please, don’t. It’s our last night in Paradise.”
“Steve—”
“Don’t spoil it, sweetheart, please? Go and change, and let us enjoy our last night under the stars. Soon enough, we’ll step back into the mess of our previous lives. Now the moon is full, the sky is bright and glorious with stars, especially for you.”
He was right. They should make the best of their last night. Steve would soon forget the crazy blabbering from Captain Douglas and his drunken patrons.
She changed into a white silk nighty with black lace, one she hadn’t worn yet.
Steve joined her in black trunks, his chest bare. He poured the drinks and set the platter of sandwiches on the table.
As they started eating, he asked, “Did I wear you out with too much work?”
“No. I enjoyed every minute of the interviews and loved the responsibility.”
“You did a great job, hired the right people. We’ll be able to start on time July first.” He bit into a sandwich. “How do you find life on the island and the boat?”
“I love it.” Until their last visit to the pub.
“Not too simple for your tastes? I mean there’s nothing more than work, stupid fun at the pub, and watching the stars.”
She tilted her head up, surveying the sky and the ocean. Silvery light from the full moon dappled the dark water. She caressed his cheek. “I love watching the stars with you. And I love you, Steve. Never doubt it, but—”
“Then there’s something I need to ask you.”
“What?” She was always ready to help.
“If you don’t mind a life of work at the clinic and fun under the stars, will you marry me, my sweet Lillian?”
She stared at him and frowned. “You’re saying that only because the people at the pub—”
“No, they have nothing to do with our feelings for each other. Two days ago I bought this.” He removed a small box from the bar and opened it, showing a ring with a big pink stone surrounded by diamonds. “It’s a Caribbean coral. I thought it would be appropriate for a bride living on this island.”
A ring? Could it be true? “It’s beautiful.”
Hedippedhisheaduntilhismouthhoveredakissaway. “Then say the words I want to hear, love. Say,I love you, Steve. Yes. I will marry you.”
Happiness flooded her heart. “Yes, Steve. I love you. I’ll marry you.”
“I love you so much, my Lillian. You changed my retirement into a refreshing beginning.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her hand, then brushed her lips and feathered soft, gentle kissesoverherface. “I love you, my sweet fiancée.”
