Page 16 of One Golden Ring
He’s got this look on his face, like he’s trying to guess something about me.
“I’d like to stay through the holidays,” he says. “I want to find a really good nurse for him and make sure he’s got everything he needs.”
I think what he really wants is to spend more time with his grandfather. But it makes perfect sense either way.
“Of course,” I tell him.
Staying that long is a far cry from a weekend getaway, but I can make it work. I think. I’m so glad I grabbed my bag on the way out the door. It’s got my laptop and charger, so I can get started attacking his schedule immediately while I finally eat these crêpes. I move to grab it off the back of my chair so I can get right to work, but his hand captures mine and I freeze immediately.
“One more thing,” he says.
I turn back to him, ready to hear what it is. But he’s just looking at me, like he’s not sure what to say.
Derek Lockwood can be many things—grumpy, quiet, passionate.
I’ve never seen him uncertain before.
“He’s got a lot of pride,” Derek says after a moment. “He’s used to being relied on at work.”
I nod slowly. That’s a feeling I understand pretty well myself.
“But it’s clear he can’t continue,” Derek goes on. “He was so downcast and ashamed about it. But I told him that I’d been meaning to ask him to take some time off anyway.”
“That’s why we’re staying,” I say, nodding. “So you can spend time with him and ease him into his retirement.”
“Yes, but he’ll never go for that,” Derek says, shaking his head. “So I want to tell him we’re planning to stay because I’m going to propose to you here at the lodge.”
5
DEREK
My pulse thunders in my ears as I watch Darcy’s face.
Her eyes widen and her lips part, but I don’t see any anger in her expression, only surprise.
“He likes you a lot,” I tell her. “It will make him happy to think I’ll have you in my life. And I want this time to be happy for him.”
I cut myself off right there. I won’t get emotional in front of her. I won’t guilt her into this.
Is it any better to bribe her?
“Here’s what I propose,” I begin before I have time to question myself too much.
Her lip twitches and I’m so keyed up that it takes me a second to realize she’s laughing at me.
“Here’s what youpropose?” she echoes, her eyes dancing.
All of a sudden I feel a little better about all of this. If she can handle it with a sense of humor then I should be able to do the same.
She lets herself really smile and the sight of her dimples popping speeds up my heart rate all over again.
“I’m going to head down to the village,” I tell her. “I’ll buy you the biggest diamond ring they’ve got. You wear it in front of my grandfather, and when we get back to New York you can hock it. Consider it a Christmas bonus for going above and beyond the call of duty.”
She only blinks at me.
Is she worried about the price out here in the sticks?
“Believe me,” I tell her. “It will be worth something. They have quality shops here for the city people.”
