Page 47 of Say Yes

Ted wailed as the cat perched on the same branch, then sat back to watch. The cat didn’t make another move, but he looked down at the loudly yapping dogs with faint approval.

Sara appeared.

She took one look at Karen draped in Gavin’s arms and began a forceful, determined stride in their direction. She was breathing hard, and she looked as enraged as the animals.

Karen stiffened. “Oh my God.”

Gavin allowed her to jump behind him and use him as a shield. Sara looked ready to explode with righteous anger. Gavin couldn’t have been more pleased. There was no way he could mistake the jealousy in her eyes. Her lips were pulled back in a snarl and he could just see the tip of her crooked tooth.

He wanted very badly to kiss her.

When Sara got close enough, he grinned and reached into the garage for the plastic rake leaning against the wall, then offered it to her with a flourish. It was a subtle reminder, giving Sara the chance to collect herself before she did something she might regret later.

To his surprise she smiled, but it was a smile with evil intent. “I love you, Gavin.”

For a long moment he couldn’t move. Hell, he could barely breathe. Sara looked so stern, so forbidding. Her arms were held stiff at her sides, the rake in one fist, her legs braced apart. She’d said it like a command, and he nodded. “It’s about damn time.”

She took a step back, stunned. “Then I don’t need the rake?”

“You don’t need the rake.”

She glanced at Karen who dared to peek over his shoulder. “You have about three seconds to make yourself scarce before I sic the animals on you.”

Karen screamed, causing Gavin’s ears to ring, and then she ran. Gavin started laughing and couldn’t stop. Ted hollered for someone to help.

He and Sara both ignored him.

After fidgeting a moment, Sara took a small step closer. “I’ve been afraid to tell you.”

“I know.” Overwhelmed by tenderness Gavin touched her cheek. “I would have waited awhile longer before getting insistent.”

“Insistent about what?”

“About hearing a declaration. About getting married.” He didn’t like his own feeling of insecurity, but he acknowledged it. “You will marry me, won’t you?”

“I’ll insist upon it.”

Gavin pulled her close and began kissing her. It was only the honking of horns that forced him to pull away. “Oh, hell.”

Sara followed his line of vision and then blinked in surprise. “Your family’s coming to visit again?”

“Sort of. You see, you mentioned to Mom that you needed lawn furniture. That’s probably what’s in the truck.”

Sara was stunned. “I can’t accept lawn furniture from her!”

“Trust me, honey. She likes giving things. The whole family does. Do you think you’ll mind being married to the spoiled, youngest child of the family?”

She gave him a slow, blinding smile that nearly melted his heart. “Are you kidding? I get you and lawn furniture? What more could any woman possibly want?”

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