Page 117 of Hearts Aweigh
“I beg to differ.” Abby pointed upward. “God put quite a bit of caring in the three Mastersons I’ve become acquainted with.”
“Three?” His fingers stilled.
“Daisy, Maddie, and you.”
“I can’t deny Madeleine’s sympathetic side.” He rubbed again. “No idea where she got it from.”
“None?” Abby smiled at the millionaire who was massaging her sore foot without complaint.
“Can’t have come from me.” He snorted. “And it definitely wasn’t inherited from her mother. Maybe there’s a saint hidden somewhere in the family lineage. Perhaps compassion skips a few generations.”
His gentle fingers stroked the arch of her foot. The soothing pressure might have put her to sleep if the butterflies in her tummy weren’t doing figure eights. If only this moment could last forever. But the ship reached home port in two days. He’d return to Louisiana, and she’d start her teaching job in Florida. Would their newfound relationship withstand the distance?
Harsh reality paralyzed her butterflies.
She pulled her foot back, tucked it under her, and locked her arms over her stomach. “I’m sorry to ruin this sweetness with cold, hard facts, but we should talk about what happens when the cruise is over.”
The wary look he gave her was hardly encouraging, but she continued.
“Your job is important to you, and once I start teaching, my schedule will be more packed than ever.” Abby rubbed her arms. “I’ll be happy to spend all the minor holidays visiting you and Maddie in New Orleans, but would you consider coming to Florida in December? I’m from a big family, and they’d raise a ruckus if I missed our Christmas traditions.”
He made a swift turn. “I’ve been considering the logistics, and I’ve landed on the best solution.”
“Super!” Abby drew her other leg under her and sat on her heels. “What is it?”
“Marry me.”
Abby pressed the flap of skin that covered her earhole. She wasn’t sure what it was called, but if she pushed it in and out a few more times, it might fix the problem. Something had to be wrong with her hearing. “What did you say?”
“Marry me,” Spencer repeated. “Now, before the ship docks in Galveston.”
A half laugh, half gasp escaped her lips. No moonlit beach, no candles, no rose petals strewn on the floor. In fact, her shoes littered the living room rug. She bolted to her feet.
He followed, staring her down.
Abby’s bare toes twitched on the soft area rug. Without the extra inches her sandals provided, Spencer towered over her. But he looked nothing like a giant. He looked like a scared little boy asking someone to be his friend at a new school.
She wanted more than anything to be that friend. And more. But this was crazy!
“How can we get married?”
“I know these boats have ministers since you dated one of them. Or don’t ship captains have some sort of special ability to perform ceremonies? We’ll ask him to do it.”
Abby held her hands to her eyes like a pair of blinders, trying desperately to focus. Could she accept his proposal? They still barely knew each other.
She lowered her hands. “We’ve been dating one day.”
He rubbed his throat. “I know it’s fast.”
“Cheetah fast.”
“It floors me that I’m the one suggesting it. I’m always the most rational person in the room.” He grasped her arms. “But I lose all reason when it comes to you. Limiting our relationship to phone calls and holiday visits sickens me. Maddie and I bothneed you.” He drew her into a warm embrace. “We both love you.”
Abby rose on her tippy-toes without realizing. She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew his face down. His head tilted, welcoming the kiss. His other hand reached around her and splayed on her lower back, urging her closer. Abby’s eyes started to drift closed when she came to her senses. She jerked away and pressed against his chest.
His gaze clouded. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m forcing myself to be the logical one for the first time in my life.” She laughed. “Every atom in my body is shouting yes, but what if you regret it?”
