Wesley
On one knee, I took the ring from my pocket and reached for her hand. “Luci, would you wear this ring for the rest of your life? Will you be my wife?”
“Yes to both.”
I put the ring on her finger and then stood to kiss her. Soon I drew away, knowing that if I continued it would compromise us both. I was beginning to act too boldly. Being around her was intoxicating. I lost all sense of gentlemanly behavior. If I had my way, we’d be upstairs in my bed. After being married, of course. I wasn’t a barbarian.
Fireflies had appeared during our kiss. They twinkled as they darted about over the lawn. “You’re my firefly. My light in the dark.”
She answered quietly, just above a whisper. “You’re mine too.”
On the horizon, a sliver of moon had risen over the valley. I took her hand in mine. With my index finger, I traced the calluses on the pads of her palm. They told the story of day after day of hard physical work. Chores that must have seemed unending. Had they been a crushing burden to her? Dax had said she’d never once complained to him.
“Are my calluses horrid to you?” she asked.
I brought the palm of her hand to my mouth. “Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, I was thinking how hard you’ve worked and that I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“All I’ve ever wanted was to keep Sadie fed and safe.”
“We shall. From now on, you’ll have me to help.”
Hand in hand, we started out across the lawn toward the house. “Did you ever think of me?” I asked. “Over the years?”
“Yes, but I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, so I didn’t spend too much time wishing for what couldn’t be. That’s the road to unhappiness for a girl in my position. No time for daydreams. I just went day by day. One hour to the next. Still, those few minutes with you were the first time anyone had ever really looked at me, not through me or around me. That’s not something I could forget.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise. I would have if I could. With the inheritance from my grandfather, I’m free to do as I wish now.”
“Did you know about your inheritance?”
“No. I had no idea that he would leave everything to me. I’d never met him. Can you imagine giving money to a stranger just because you didn’t want to give it to your daughter?”
“People do strange things. My father gave me away in a poker game.” To my surprise, she laughed.
“It’s not funny,” I said. “I want to kill him with my bare hands.”
“A good life is the greatest revenge.”
“We still have another few days before Mother arrives. I’d like to stay so that we can tell her in person about Lillian and Roland and you and me.”
“I’m anxious to go, but I understand. Even so, I’ll be frightened to meet her.”
“She doesn’t have a say in my life.” I touched her cheek with the back of my finger, fighting the urge to take her in my arms and kiss her.
When we arrived back inside, Lillian rose from the piano. She must have spotted Luci’s new ring right away because she rushed over to us. “It’s pretty, Wesley.” Lillian embraced Luci. “I’m so happy we’re to be family.”
“Me too,” Luci said.
“Shall we have a drink?” I asked. “To toast?”
“Water for me,” Luci said. “I do not like that floating feeling.”
“Sherry for me,” Lillian said.
I poured Roland and myself a whiskey as the ladies settled onto the couch. Roland wandered around the room, from the window to the piano. He’d shared with me in confidence that he would ask Lillian when he felt the time was right. He wanted a romantic, perfect setting and didn’t yet know where that was. Until then, he’d said, the ring in his pocket felt as heavy as a boulder. His heart would either be broken or not, depending on Lillian’s answer. No amount of talking would convince him that she was sure to accept, so I’d given up and kept silent. Nothing like love to make one’s self-assurance waver.
After everyone had their drink, Roland and I sat in the chairs opposite the couch. We toasted first to my official engagement to Luci.
“We have other news as well.” I raised my glass. “To our new venture, Harris and Ford Dry Goods. Roland and I are now partners. We signed paperwork today.” I shared with them the idea for multiple locations and that we would begin the moment we returned to Castaway.
“You’ve agreed, Roland?” Lillian asked.
Roland grinned. “Yes, but only because he agreed that I was to repay him for my half of the starting costs once we were profitable.”
“He’s been stubborn,” I said. “But I’ve worn him down.”
“Do you wear everyone down in this way?” Luci’s mouth twitched into a smile.
“Some take longer than others.” I winked at her.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Roland said. “Once we get the building done, we’re going to have a grand opening. Every child who comes into the store will get a piece of candy.”
Lillian had gone strangely quiet. She seemed to be studying her sherry with more intensity than it deserved.
“I’d have liked a store with free candy,” Luci said wistfully.
“You may have a piece of candy whenever you come in,” Roland said. “To make up for all the pieces you haven’t had.”
“Really? And Sadie too?” Luci smiled, momentarily looking as young as the day I’d first met her.
“Of course, Sadie too,” Roland said.
Lillian downed the entirety of her sherry and slammed the glass down on the coffee table. “I’ll be heading to bed now.”
“What’s the matter, Lillian?” I asked. “Do you not like our idea?”
“It sounds fine.” Staring at the floor, she spoke woodenly. “Just wonderful.”
Roland leaned forward. “Do you think I’m unfit for the partnership? That I’ll fail? Or do you think I’ve exploited your brother?”
Lillian lifted her chin to look at him. “None of those things.”
“Then what?” Roland asked.
“I thought you might ask me . . . to marry you, and now you’re leaving to open up your precious business. How long will I have to wait?” Her voice cracked as a sob rose from her chest. “Until the first store is profitable? The second? Or third? How many will it be, Roland, before you see yourself worthy of me? Meanwhile, I’ll be here, waiting. And you’ll all leave me.”
“Who said anything about that?” Roland asked.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Lillian stood. Tears gone, she now seemed merely furious. “You won’t want to propose if you don’t have a ring, and how long will that take? Years? Do you expect me to follow my brother and his new wife and live with them like an old maid until you’re good and ready?”
She was on such a rant, and neither of us could interrupt.
“I’m so very tired of everyone having a say about my life but me. I want to get married now, Roland, and I don’t care one hoot about a ring. It’s you who’s insistent that all be done as rich people do, and I just want to be your wife.”
Roland shot me a panicked look. Lillian in all her life had hardly raised her voice.
“Lillian, calm down for a moment,” I said.
She turned on me, eyes blazing. “Calm down? I will not calm down. Don’t you dare tell me to calm down.”
“I think you’d better forgo the perfect location and ask her now,” I said to Roland. “Before she hauls off and breaks something.”
“Yes, I believe you’re correct.” Roland dropped to the floor in front of Lillian as he pulled the ring box from inside his jacket.
Lillian crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him, perhaps not yet ready to let go of her anger, even though it was obvious what he was doing.
“Forgive me, Lillian. I thought you’d prefer a more romantic setting with champagne, but I’ll do it now. Will you marry me?” He lifted the top off the box and presented it to her. “This isn’t much—someday I’ll get you the prettiest I can find.”
Lillian brought her hands to her mouth and shook her head. “No, no, I love this one.”
He stood and lifted the ring from the box. “May I have your hand?”
She held it out, and he pushed the engagement ring onto her ring finger.
“Are you saying yes?” Roland asked.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“May I kiss you now?” Roland asked.
“Yes. I’m saying yes to that too.”
Roland leaned closer and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. I knew that was for my benefit. As if they hadn’t kissed before.
“I can’t believe it,” Lillian said as she stared at her hand. “I’ve dreamed of this day for what feels like forever. I’m sorry I acted so awful. I couldn’t bear the thought of Luci and Wesley and you leaving me while I was stuck here missing you.”
“I’m sorry I waited. I wanted it to be special.” Roland smiled gently as he put one arm around her waist. “We’ve had enough missing each other and endless letter writing. I want you by my side where you belong. In fact, I’d like to get married before we leave. I want you to come home with me as my wife.”
“What about Mother?” Lillian asked. “Wesley, should we wait for her?”
“It’s whatever you want,” I said. “But it might be better to already have married so she knows there’s nothing she can do to stop you.”
“He’s right,” Lillian said.
“But do you want a formal wedding?” Luci asked. “Won’t you want a dress and a party?”
Lillian laughed. “I don’t care about any of that. Let’s go to the courthouse on Monday.”
“Us too?” Luci asked me.
“I suppose so,” I said. “Monday’s as good a day as any.”
Today was Saturday, which meant we had a day to get everything in order.
“Let’s dance,” Lillian said. “I’ll put on the phonograph. And you must ask me to dance, Roland.” She scurried over to the phonograph and put on a waltz.
Roland bowed at the waist and then led her to a spot near the piano.
I turned to Luci, who had remained on the couch during all the excitement. “Would you care to dance?”
She ducked her head. “I don’t know how.”
“There’s nothing to it,” I said. “I’ll show you.”
She nodded and allowed me to escort her to a spot by the window. “Put one hand here, like this.” I guided her hand to rest gently on my shoulder. “Then give me your other hand.” As she did so, I encircled her waist with my other arm. “Now, simply sway to the music. We don’t have to make any fancy moves.” I moved my feet to the beat of the music.
For a moment, she was stiff in my arms, but then she relaxed and we danced as if we’d been made for each other.