Page 88 of A Table for Two
“No. Only about twenty units. The town council is all for a little growth, but they’re adamant about keeping the townsmall.”
“Good. I like this place. You know, I’m sort of having second thoughts about you adding Brookshaw Cove to your brochure. I kind of think of it as my and Gabriel’s special place.”
“Aw, that’s so cute. I never even knew it existed until you told me.”
“That’s because it’s pretty much hidden.”
“And exactly why I need your directions.” As Natasha drove, she continued to share her vision for the travel pamphlet.
“You can park in this lot.” Serenity pointed. “It’s much closer to the inlet.” They parked and got out. A light breeze blew across her face. The calendar had just turned to fall, and the temperatures hovered near eighty degrees.
“I’ll do the cove first, then come back and take pictures of the lake area.”
“Okay.” She took her friend down the path leading to the cove and through the archway. Ten steps in, she froze. Gabriel stood next to an elaborately set table.
Serenity turned her surprised gaze to Natasha. “You tricked me.”
Natasha shrugged. “Not really. I am planning to do the brochure, but I agree, this place belongs to the two of you. Hi, Gabriel. Bye, Gabriel.”
“Thanks for your help, Natasha. We’ll see you at dinner.”
Natasha smiled, gave Serenity a quick hug, and disappeared the way she’d come.
“Your table for two awaits.” Gabriel held out his hand.
Still in shock, Serenity slowly walked toward him and grasped his hand. “It’s beautiful.Amazing. Thank you for this.” He bent and kissed her with a sweetness that brought tears to her eyes.
He seated her, then rounded the table and sat. “Since you’re going all out tonight for the supper club dinner, I thought we’d keep it light this time. I’ll go all out next time.”
She didn’t care what was under those domes. That he’d gone out of his way to prepare her a special lunch made her love him that much more. They dined on chicken Caesar salads and French bread, with sparkling lemonade. He’d even brought a portable speaker and made a playlist with her favorite Jill Scott songs.
When they finished eating, Gabriel stood. “Let’s go for a walk.” He entwined their fingers and took the same path as their first date, stopping on the golden sand to watch the waves.
Serenity walked closer to the water and inhaled deeply. She didn’t think she’d ever tire of this place’s beauty. “I still can’t believe you found—” She turned to see Gabriel down on one knee, holding a black velvet box with a diamond solitaire that sparkled like stars in the sunlight. Her heart started beating double time.
“Serenity, you are a rare blend of beauty, brilliance, and grace, all wrapped up in the most compassionate heart I’ve ever known. These past few months with you have brought more joy and happiness to my life than words can ever say. And I want to spend my forever showing you how much I love and cherish you. Will you marry—”
“Yes,” she shouted and launched herself at him, knocking him backward on the sand and kissing him.
Laughing, Gabriel sat up. “Does that mean you want the ring?”
She giggled and stuck out her left hand. “Oh yeah.” He slid it on her ring finger, then kissed it. Serenity couldn’t stop staring at its beauty. “I love it. And I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby. Forever.”
Serenity sat snuggled in Gabriel’s arms, feeling more content than she ever had in her life. “Gabriel, I was thinking about what you said earlier about the table for two, and I realize the times we’ve spent cooking and sharing meals have been some of the best for me.” That he loved cooking and food almost as much as she did still amazed her. She couldn’t get enough of those quiet times of talking and listening to music, and she didn’t want it to end.
“Same here.”
“Can we always make a point of having our table for two?”
“Absolutely. However, since tonight will be a table for many more, we’d better head back and get to work.”
She laughed softly. “I guess so.” She left his lap, stood, and pulled him to his feet. “I still can’t believe Natasha was in on this.”
Gabriel grinned. “Hey, a brother has to do what a brother has to do. And she was more than willing to help me out.”
“Yeah, I bet.” They walked back to the table, packed everything up, and drove home.
