Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
“I didn’t see you there,” I grunt, trying to hide my agitation as I press a hand over hers, which I feel sliding down my jeans.
“Is that something in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?” she asks in a comical voice. And I’m quick to bring her hand back into mine.
“You’ll spoil your appetite,” I caution her, trying to sound like my usual self, but Tina knows when something’s up.
“Don’t be mad, Mack. But I’m actually not that hungry right now. Can it wait a bit?” she asks, and I turn to face her.
Kissing her hands, agreeing with her instantly.
“My cooking’s not that bad,” I tease her. “But you know what? I’m not that hungry, either. It’ll keep. Shall we go for a walk?” I ask her.
Sounding like I may as well have just asked her if she wants to paint the roof.
“A walk?” she asks, giving me a sidelong glance, grinning with excitement as she wonders just what I might mean by taking a ‘walk’ at this time of night.
“Sure,” I coax her, recovering my determination to do this right.
“It’s a nice night,” I volunteer, glancing up at the ceiling.
Both of us fully aware of the rain pattering noisily against the roof.
“What are you up to, Mackenzie Macintyre?” she asks in a friendly accusing tone, tickling my ribs and giggling like a schoolgirl.
I’m not the ticklish kind, but seeing her so happy, I can’t help but relax.
A little, anyhow.
“I’m not up to anything,” I reply innocently. “I just… Can we just sit down and talk a minute?” I ask her, noticing her smile fade with concern before I lead her through to the living room.
Setting her down on the sofa and standing in front of her, looking like I have something important to say because I kind of do.
“It’s been a little over two weeks now,” I remind her, glad when that makes her smile.
Her eyes bright in the firelight, looking up at me as they turn into a question.
“Mack, what is it?” she asks.
Here goes nothing….
In a single, slow movement, I stab three fingers into my pocket, fidgeting for the box.
My hands slipping with sweat from nerves and the heat of the kitchen. I feel it pop out of my jeans like an egg from a hen.
My eyes follow it as Tina’s mouth gapes open.
Both of us watch the worn velvet box shoot right into her lap.
Sitting right way up, as if an unseen hand just put it there.
I hear her swallow hard, and as much as I try to, I feel like my mouth’s suddenly full of cotton wool.
But my lower half seems to know what to do next.
And getting down on one knee in front of my woman, I lift the box slowly and open it in front of her eyes.
“It’s the same ring old Foxx Macintyre gave his wife on their first anniversary here. The silver’s from the first pieces he found. And the diamond…,” I say, breaking off.
Not wanting to sound pretentious. But it’s true.
“…The diamond came from his other little secret. The diamond mine he found while digging for all that silver,” I add.
Watching Tina’s eyes dance with the sparkling rays from the stone like rainbows against the sky of her blue eyes.
Her mouth hanging open in a way I hope she understands what I’m really trying to say here.
“Tina. I....”
“It’s beautiful, Mack,” she finally gasps, getting up the courage to inspect the box a little closer.
I feel my brow knot with confusion.
“I’m not just showing it to you, Tina,” I explain. Slowing my words to make sure I don’t mess this up more than it already has been by throwing it at her.
“It’s only been two weeks, but I knew in the first two seconds who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” I tell her.
Taking her hand in mine and lifting the ring from the box, poised to slide it on her finger.
Taking in a sharp breath, it clicks with her what I’m getting at.
“I love you, Tina. And I want you to have this ring as well as all the history that goes with it. I want you as my wife, and I want our children to pass this ring along when the time comes. But until then, I want you all to myself, and as long as I live.”
My heart pounds in my ears, and watching her hand tremble as she slides her finger into the ring.
She says yes.
A near whisper at first, but then she says it again.
Clearer and much louder before I kiss her.
A dull thud interrupts us from out in the hall.
“It’s alright, Mrs. C. She said yes, you can come in now,” I call out, making Tina and I both chuckle when Mrs. Corbett opens the door sheepishly.
Her eyes shining with tears as she comes over and gives Tina a big hug.