Page 48 of Mine To Break
“And it’s too nasty and scary,” Amelia retorted. Both grandparents gave her a quelling look. “What? It is. I’m not staying there!”
Colby looked up at Mal, a silent question asking for permission, though a bit of doubt made him hesitate. Her soldier boy didn’t want to be presumptuous, but there was no place she’d rather him be than with her.
“He’s staying with me,” she said firmly. “In fact, your assumption earlier wasn’t too far off the mark.” She lightened her voice, watching the emotion flit across his face. “I plan on asking him to marry me. If he’ll have me.”
If his family thought it strange for the woman to propose to the man, they didn’t object. In fact, his mother started crying and hugged her again, and Amelia started squealing into the phone.
“No, Mom, really, he’s getting married! For real!”
“When?” The sister shrieked through the phone.
Everybody looked at Colby expectantly, and Mal suddenly felt badly for putting him on the spot. They’d only known each other a few weeks. They’d certainly never talked about marriage.
“I hope you don’t mind, Mom, but I’m thinking Mal and I could elope as soon as I’m on my feet again.”
Sarah leaned down and kissed his forehead. “We’ve had two big weddings already. You do what you want, son. We’ll be happy either way.”
Holding his hand while his family grinned and hugged him was wonderful, but she couldn’t fully let go of her reservations.
There was still one person who might stand against this union. Someone very important to her. It’d kill her go against Mama’s wishes, but she refused to give him up. She couldn’t. Mama would just have to understand. Though she wasn’t too eager to break the news to her.
All too quickly, the nurses were back trying to shoo people out. Sudden terror gripped Mal. If they made her leave so his real family could stay…
But no, Colby refused to let go of her hand, and his family crowded around the bed, agreeing to come back in the morning. His father squeezed his shoulder lightly. “Son.” He cleared his throat, his voice gruff. “Your mother and I are very proud of you. So proud. But mostly just glad you’re okay.”
Colby closed his eyes a moment, his fingers trembling in Mal’s grasp. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Though we’d love it if you came home for awhile,” Sarah said firmly, wiping her eyes. “Or at least stayed out of harm’s way. You’ve been in danger too long.”
“No more danger.” He said agreeably, but he looked up at Mal and winked, as if to say,Unless it’s in my Mistress’s bed.
