14

The Messiah concert finished to rapturous applause and a standing ovation. Jackson couldn’t even begin to describe the elation filling him. Never before had he experienced anything like this. He’d been touched, no more than touched, by the music. It had spoken to him as he sang. Well, more accurately, God had spoken to him. He’d never been as aware of God’s Presence as he had been the last couple of hours. And he knew without a doubt what he had to do.

As the choir moved backstage, he sought out Amber. She was reading her phone, a frown crossing her exquisite features. Her red hair hung in ringlets, complimented by the pale blue dress she wore.

“Problems, honey?” he asked.

She glanced up. “DCI Fraser needs to see me. He’s flying down and wants me to report to Manor Road nick first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Maybe it’s good news.”

“And maybe it isn’t.” Panic flared briefly in her eyes before she managed to tamp it down. “What if he wants to arrest me and press charges this time?”

“Then I highly doubt he’d send a text. He’d turn up in person or send Nate…”

“Taking my name in vain, Jackson?” Nate chuckled as he appeared beside them. “That was fantastic.”

“It was fun,” Jackson said. He eyed Nate suspiciously. “Is this a social call?”

“Not exactly. Amber, did DCI Fraser get a hold of you?”

“Yeah…”

“Good. We’ll be using my office. 9:00 AM sharp.”

“‘K.” Color drained from her face.

Jackson slid an arm around her in case she passed out. “It’s Sunday, tomorrow.”

Nate frowned. “And? Cops do work weekends, you know. Same as doctors do.”

“Can’t it wait until Monday?”

Nate shook his head. “No.”

“Fine. But I’m coming with. She’s not doing this alone.”

“That’s your prerogative.” Nate nodded. “Nine o’clock. Don’t be late.”

As he left, Amber looked down, all the joy vanishing from her gaze. She appeared at least five inches shorter.

“Want some dinner?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I want to go home.”

“Honey?” He checked his watch. “It’s only six. Too early to go home.”

“This might be my last night of freedom, Jackson. Let’s face it; I’m guilty of all those charges they threw at me. What was it he said? Free to choose but not free from the consequences of that choice.”

Jackson helped her into her coat and tugged at her hand. “Come on. I’ve got an idea of where we can go on the way home.”

“Where?” Her steps were slow as she walked with him through the crowds and out into the dark, crisp air.

“Trust me, I’m the doctor.”

“The doctor?”

He grinned. “Yes, and I want to show you my blue box that is bigger on the inside than on the outside.”

Amber rolled her eyes. “Nice try. I know your car is blue without seeing it.”

“You ain’t seen nothing yet, honey.”

Half an hour later, they sat on a bench on the bridge overlooking the river. He had paper spread on his lap and they were sharing the portion of fish and chips he’d bought. He had to admit the Brits were right. These fat versions of fries did taste better eaten in the open air out of paper.

Amber still looked as if the world was ending around her. Every joke he’d tried had fallen flat and he’d failed to make her smile. Not even the huge bunch of chrysanthemums he’d bought her had done that. They lay on the bench next to her.

She glanced at him. “Sorry.”

“It’s OK.”

“I’m just scared of what will happen and…”

“It’s fine,” he repeated. “You don’t have to give an excuse for not having fun tonight. You just don’t appreciate Bessie or my company or…”

“Bessie was an old yellow car with those funny wheels and no roof.” Amber looked at him.

“Was it?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Oh…well, never mind. I’m trying.”

“Very trying,” she muttered. She picked at the food, eating slowly and quietly.

She was only eating to please him.

He, on the other hand, was convinced she felt sick because she hadn’t eaten for several hours. One way or another eating would cure that. He sucked in a deep breath. Seize the moment, Jackson. “Whatever happens tomorrow won’t change how I feel about you.”

Amber looked at him. “You mean I’ll still be a stuck up, gobby cow who likes to get her own way?”

He shoved a chip in her mouth. “Shut up and let a guy get a word in edgeways for once. Despite your faults and tendency to talk the hind leg off a donkey, I love you. And I don’t want to lose you.”

“But…”

“No buts. For Pete’s sake, let a guy get the last word for once.” Jackson set the newspaper to one side and reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out the blue box he’d been carrying around all day. “This was my grandmother’s ring. She told me to give it to someone who lit a fire within me. I never knew what she meant until now.” He opened the box.

Amber gasped. Diamonds sparked in the moonlight. “It’s beautiful.”

Jackson slid off the bench onto one knee in front of her. “Amber, will you marry me?”

She caught her breath. “Jackson…”

He glanced up, his stomach churning. The possibility of her saying no hadn’t occurred to him until this moment. How would he move on if she did refuse him? He didn’t want to live here, see her every day if she wouldn’t be his.

“Jackson, I’m honored, really I am…”

He pushed up, his heart breaking and his stomach pitting. She was going to say no. And he didn’t want to hear it. He closed the lid of the box and started to put it away in his jacket.

Amber’s hand closed over his. “Jackson, wait. I’m not saying no. I’m saying…”

“You want to think about it?” he asked, his voice betraying him. “I love you. I thought you loved me.”

“I do. It’s just, I don’t know where I’ll be this time tomorrow, and I don’t want you to have to wait for me or have a jail bird for a wife or…”

His hand cupped her cheek. “I don’t care,” he said bluntly.

Amber kissed him. “I love you. Ask me again tomorrow, please. If I could marry you tonight then I would. Fly over to Vegas and get one of those instant weddings. Only if I’m not here tomorrow then I’ll be in even more trouble.”

Jackson reached into his pocket. “I can go one better,” he said quietly. “This is a special license. It means we can get married tonight. We just need a minister and two witnesses.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

Jackson nodded. “We can do it again once all this is over, but yes.”

Amber hugged him, smiling for the first time in hours. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Jackson kissed her and handed her the flowers. “Then, honey, we need to go find a preacher and a couple of witnesses. Maybe Pastor Jack could rustle up some, but I was kinda hoping Jared and Niamh would do it. Then we’ll go back to my place and tomorrow we face the cops together.”