Page 85 of New Day at the Beach House

“I know,” Roxie said. “You told us that.”

“No, not because he thought I needed a place to live. He asked me for real this time. Or he’s going to. He just wanted to know if I felt the same way.”

“What?” Roxie needed more coffee.

Willie lifted her chin. “He’s going to ask me officially very soon. And I’m going to say yes.”

Trina looked a little distraught. “Mimi, you just met the guy. I know you like him and he’s very nice but—”

“But nothing, my girl. I am an old woman, and I don’t have the luxury of time. A long engagement might end in a funeral.”

Roxie grimaced. “Don’t say things like that, Ma.”

“Well, it’s true,” her mother shot back. “And I know it’s not something any of us want to think about, especially me, but I have to. If Miguel and I want to have a life together, we have to start now.”

“Wow,” Trina breathed out. “You’re really getting married?”

Willie took another sip of her coffee. “We are. We’d like something simple. Right here on the beach. Just the two families. Claire and her group, too, if they’d like. Wouldn’t be polite not to invite them.”

Roxie knew better than to argue with her mother when her mind was made up. “Where are you going to live?”

“We talked about that. I think we’re going to have a look at a place called Dunes West. It’s a fifty-five and over community. Only about fifteen minutes away, according to what Miguel told me. They have all kinds of models to choose from and depending on what package you pick, they take care of everything. From your yard to your pool to cleaning the inside, too. Sounds like my kind of living.”

Roxie pursed her lips. “And who’s paying for this new place?”

“Both of us, missy. Miguel’s got his own money. He doesn’t need mine. Doesn’t want it, either. He’s already told me he’ll sign one of those prenup thingies. He’s in this for me, not my millions.”

Roxie sighed. “That’s good to hear, I guess. You really love this guy, Ma? I mean, it’s not just some infatuation that’s going to pass?”

“I’ve been married enough times to know the difference between infatuation and love. This is love.” Willie smiled. “I want to be with him all the time. And he feels the same way about me.”

“Then I think it’s great, Mimi,” Trina said. “It’ll be weird not to have you around, though. I’ll miss you.”

“Now don’t go getting all weepy on me.” Willie reached over and patted Trina’s knee. “I won’t be far away. And we’ll get a big enough house that you can even stay over sometimes if you want. But you’re going to be busy with the salon! You might not even have time for your old Mimi.”

Trina frowned. “Don’t say that. I will always have time for you.”

Willie smiled. “I know you will. But I want you to be busy. Besides that, Miguel and I are going on a long honeymoon.”

“You are?” Trina asked. “Where?”

“Puerto Rico,” Willie replied. “We’re going for a month. We’re going to rent a place near where most of his family lives. He’s got a grandniece he’s never met.”

“Wow, Ma, you’ve really thought a lot about this.”

Willie looked over at Roxie. “We talked it all through last night. As much as we could, anyway. I hope you can be happy for us. I know it’s happening fast, but we don’t know how much time we have left, so why wait?”

“I am happy for you.” But Roxie felt a little sadness, too, because she knew her mother was right about the time part of it. “Whatever I can do to help, you just say the word.”

“Thank you. I would love your help picking out a dress. I’ll need some flowers, too. And we’ll have to find a priest to do the ceremony. Miguel’s Catholic, so he’d like a priest.”

Another question popped into Roxie’s head. “Does Danny know about this?”

“He does,” Willie assured her. “And he’s fine with whatever his dad wants to do.”

“Okay. That’s good,” Roxie said. The last thing they needed to pull off a fast wedding was Miguel’s son working against them. “What about food?”

“We’ll get it catered. There’s a restaurant Miguel and I both like, Papi’s. I need to call them and see if they can do it.”

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