Page 69 of Lead Me Knot

“I’m thinking tropical. The fewer clothes required for you, the better.”

I snort and elbow him playfully. “Should have known that’s where your mind would go. Not the honeymoon, though I’m noting that down just in case for the future.”

I’m still giggling when he adds, “I think that’s for you to decide. The bank would know we’re married if you’re using my financials. Would we tell everyone else? How? By announcement? A party? Show up with rings on our fingers?” He briefly closes his eyes as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Truthfully, I don’t know. Ihadn’t thought about that aspect, but you’re right. If the bank knows, everyone knows. Our families would be upset to find out after the fact, especially my mom. I already feel awful for even contemplating getting married without her knowledge.”

“I’m not closing this down, but maybe that’s the answer. One decision could lead to more problems than we started with.”

I fear that if I allow myself to acknowledge that I’ll back out altogether, and that means choosing to lose the shop instead of fighting for it.

An opening between the buildings comes into view. People are meandering and filming themselves in the center of a rose-filled garden. The sea of pink makes me stop in my tracks to stare, a small gasp escaping simultaneously. I look up at Baylor, and ask, “Is this where you were bringing me?”

His chin lowers as a shy smile takes hold. “I thought you’d like it.”

“It’s like the flowers you bought me.” I knock into him, tipping my head to his arm as love fills my heart like a balloon. “So beautiful.”

We take our own selfie at the edge to capture as many flowers behind us as we can.

“They change out the flowers every couple of months. Tulips in April. Roses are for June. We’re catching the last of the flowers in bloom.”

It’s even quieter here, a smaller crowd than the one on the streets. Some people are reading on the surrounding benches, but most are appreciating the sight of this colorful magic in the middle of the gray city. “This is the most lovely thing I think I’ve ever seen.”

“I don’t know. The peach orchard in bloom is quite the magnificent sight.” We stroll the small path, and his arm comes around my shoulders. When he kisses the top of my head, I’m reminded that we can do this here. We can be a couple out in the open, kiss and hold hands without worrying about gossip traveling the grapevine.

But my heart still clenches when he mentions home, making me wonder if he ever thinks about returning. I reply, “Blooming peach trees are stunning. It’s weird how you take things for granted when you’ve seen them your whole life.” Staring at the pink petals of an especially showy rose in front of me, I think about my mom and dad and their relationship. Is that what happened with them? They stopped seeing what was right in front of them? I’m pretty sure I’m never going to get that answer. I’m not even sure my mom knows why he left. Wouldn’t she have told me by now? “Do you think that happens in marriage?”

“I don’t think it has to. I always found comfort in my parents’ relationship. It wasn’t exciting in obvious ways, like flashy jewelry or fancy dinners out, but their love was quiet, steady, and reliable. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate in stark contrast to dating in New York.” He looks at me, and says, “I used to catch them exchanging glances and small smiles when they thought we weren’t looking. I took that for granted. Now it’s a fond memory.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He laughs to himself, shoving his free hand in his pocket. “I hadn’t thought about that in so long. Years. It’s nice when those memories return.” Pulling me in front of him, he adds, “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I am, too.” I hug him, closing my eyes and soaking in as much of him as I can to take home with me.

“You’ve presented a good argument, Shortcake. Clever including the benefits for me,” he says, bringing us back to the topic without me prodding, which I appreciate.

Laughing, I reply, “Guess I’m not as sneaky as I thought.”

“If we did this, how would it work? We could get married here.” There’s no tension in his body that I can feel or in his face when I look at him. I kind of expected him to shut this conversation down. Yet here he is, leaving the door wide open for consideration. “But there’s a waiting period.”

My heart starts beating so loudly that it fills my ears, making me think everyone within twenty yards of us can hear, especially him. “Are you really considering this?”

“I can see the value.”

“The value?” I laugh when I remember I’m in his element and that’s finances and the corporate world, a long damn way from the Hill Country.

Chuckling, he says, “Maybe not the best way to phrase it, but I see the upside to the proposition.”

“Sounds tawdry.”

He raises his eyebrow. “Isn’t it?”

“It’s impressive how you manage to make everything sound like an invitation to bed.”

With the most casual shrug I’ve seen him give, he says, “It’s a gift.”

“That apparently keeps giving.”

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