Page 16 of Sweet Christmas Wish
“She is. She just got settled in the living room with one of my orange cranberry muffins and some hot cocoa. Can I get you some?”
“I never turn down a chance for your food,” Derek replied. “I’d love some.”
“Go ahead and sit down with Emma and I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Derek took off his coat, hanging it on the coat stand in the foyer, then headed into the cozy living room. Emma, seated in her usual armchair by the fire, looked up as he entered, a broad smile growing on her wrinkled face. She set aside the bundle of yellow yarn she was crocheting on her lap, rising to gather him into her arms.
“My sweet boy,” Emma crooned, her fluffy white hair tickling his chin. “So good to see you!”
“Thanks for letting me stop by unannounced,” Derek replied, taking the seat beside her.
Emma swatted at his arm. “As if I cared about that! I just like seeing you whenever you have time to spare, and you know it. No dogs today?”
“No dogs. I drove my truck instead. They just had baths today and I wanted them to stay clean for more than a few minutes.”
“I don’t know how you wash so many dogs,” Colette said, coming in with a tray of muffins and mugs of hot cocoa.
“They’re well-trained for the most part,” Derek replied, “so it isn’t too bad. Most of the time.” He took a muffin, taking a bite and smiling with pleasure. “You have such a gift with food.”
Colette grinned at him. “Don’t be shy. Take two muffins.”
“I won’t argue with you on that.” Derek swallowed his bite and reached for another muffin.
“So,” Emma said, leaning forward and taking a sip of her hot cocoa, “did you just come for Colette’s baking, or did you have more in mind?”
“Emma, you know me too well. Yes, I actually wanted to come and get your advice on something.”
Colette set aside her mug, training her eyes on Derek. “Do tell.”
“Well…” Derek took a deep breath, preparing himself to share his news aloud and hoping they wouldn't look at him like he was crazy. “I’ve been thinking about my relationship with Lacy, and… I think I want to propose to her.”
Colette clapped her hands and Emma beamed. “That’s wonderful!” Colette cried at the same time that Emma said, “Lovely!”
“I was going to ask what you both thought, but I think I can guess now,” Derek said with a chuckle.
“It’s a grand idea, dear. I think you two will make each other very happy,” Emma said, reaching over to pat his hand.
“Me too,” Colette chimed in. “So, when are you going to pop the question?”
“I haven’t decided yet… that’s part of what I wanted to ask the two of you about.”
“Well, it’s Christmastime, which is the most wonderful time of the year,” Emma said thoughtfully. “I don’t think you could come up with a better time of year for a proposal.”
“Agreed,” Colette said fervently, her eyes alight with excitement.
“But how should I do it? I don’t know if I should go big or small with it.”
“My dear boy,” Emma said, squeezing his hand. “Youare the one that knows Lacy best. Think about what would make her the happiest as you try to plan out your proposal. Don’t worry about what other people think or any of that nonsense. You know Lacy and you love her, and that’s what matters. I’m certain that you will come up with the perfect way to ask her to be your wife.”
“I don’t know…”
“Believe in yourself,” Colette said. “As long as your love for Lacy shines through, the actual proposal part isn’t as important. Just follow Emma’s advice—think about what would make Lacy the happiest as you plan out your proposal, and then don’t worry about the rest.”
Derek smiled, feeling a little less nervous as excitement poured through him. He still wasn’t sure how he was going to propose to Lacy, but he felt a lot more confident in his decision to do so.
“Okay,” he said, giving a firm nod. “I’m going to do it. I’m going to ask Lacy Preston to be my wife. I just hope she says yes.”
Colette shook her head lovingly even as Emma laughed aloud.
