Chapter Twenty-six
He asked for her hand in marriage three days later; during a candlelight dinner, surrounded by enough flowers to make a bee sneeze, and he even got down on both knees. A table had been set up in the center of the large gazebo overlooking the river, little white lights had been hung from the rafters, rose petals had been strewn over the floor, and every window of the nursing home had faces peeking out of them.
William had been dressed in a perfectly tailored suit—although just before getting down on his knees, he’d taken off the jacket, given her a wink, and rolled up his cuffs.
Maddy had been wearing her scrubs.
His proposal had been practically verbatim to what she’d written in her diary, except the word cherished had replaced love. And the diamond ring he’d held out to her was absolutely beautiful; the stone tastefully sized instead of garishly large, two shiny pink tourmalines nestled on either side of it.
That was why Maddy was sitting on Sarah’s bed right now, staring down at her empty left ring finger as she waited for her daughter to finish brushing her teeth. God, she hoped she’d done the right thing. She hadn’t said yes when William had asked her to marry him; she’d said . . . maybe.
Maddy took a shuddering breath, remembering how shocked he’d been—that is until she’d reminded him that she came with a daughter who would also be affected by her decision, and that he needed to ask Sarah, too.
William’s beautiful marine-blue eyes had turned downright pained; obviously appalled that he hadn’t thought to include the girl. Rick had already given his blessing, William had told her, since of course he’d had to ask the man of the house for her hand. Then he’d felt honor-bound to ask Patricia, and the woman had hugged him and kissed him and said yes through a small river of tears.
But when Maddy had only said . . . maybe, William had jumped to his feet, shoved her beautiful ring in his pocket, and grabbed her hand with every intention of driving to her house to ask Sarah immediately.
Maddy had pulled him to a stop, this time reminding him that the girl was only nine and that he couldn’t expect a child to make that kind of decision in two minutes. She had instead promised to tell Sarah that night, and then they would give her time to get used to the idea before he personally asked if she’d like them to become a family.
“Where’s Mr. Killkenny?” Sarah asked, running in and jumping up on the bed. She grabbed the book off her nightstand and slid under the covers. “We still have two chapters left of The Chronicles of Narnia. Isn’t he staying with us anymore?”
“No, he’s camping out on his land on Dragon Cove. He was only staying with us until his arm healed enough that he could take care of himself. Don’t worry; you’ll finish your story with him. But right now you and I need to have a little mother-daughter talk.”
Sarah suddenly took on a mutinous look, her chin lifting defiantly. “I don’t care if I am in trouble,” she said. “If you make me take it back, I’ll just say it to her again.”
Maddy arched a brow. “Excuse me? Who is the her you said something to, and what did you say?”
Sarah blinked in surprise, her cheeks turning pink at the realization she’d just tattled on herself. “Sissy,” she said, lifting her chin again. “I told her that if anyone was a gold-digger that she was, and that she’s also a tight-assed, man-trapping hussy with the brains of a chipmunk, because everyone knows you’re supposed to get pregnant after you get married, not before.”
Maddy didn’t know if she was shocked or downright proud of the girl. “Mind telling me what compelled you to say that to Sissy?”
Sarah’s mutinous glare turned uncertain. “I was watching TV in the living room Sunday, waiting for Dad to bring me home, when I heard Sissy tell him that everyone in town knows the only reason you’re chasing after Mr. Killkenny is because he’s rich. But when Daddy said it was about damn time you started dating again and that he was happy for you, Sissy exploded and started shouting at him. She said the only reason you divorced him was because he hadn’t been getting rich fast enough. Then she said your best friend, Eve, snatched up Mr. Gregor before you could, so you went after Mr. Killkenny before anyone else could get him. But instead of calming down when Dad told her to, Sissy started calling you nasty names and said it was obvious you were jealous of her because Daddy’s construction business finally started making money.”
Maddy opened her mouth to say something, but Sarah rushed on with her confession. “Sissy said you must really be desperate, since everyone knows Mr. Killkenny is crazy because he drives like a madman and is building a big ugly castle down on Dragon Cove.”
“Do you think Mr. Killkenny is crazy?” Maddy asked softly.
“No! That’s why I ran into the kitchen and told Sissy he wasn’t. I told her Mr. Killkenny is smart and nice and polite, and that he doesn’t treat me like a baby. But when she called him a caveman, I called her a tight-assed, man-trapping hussy with the brains of a chipmunk,” she finished on a whisper, her cheeks bright red.
Maddy tried but couldn’t stifle her smile. “And how did that go over?”
“Sissy burst into tears and ran upstairs, and Dad just quietly told me to get my stuff and get in the truck.”
“Did he say anything to you on the ride home?”
“He asked me if I felt comfortable around Mr. Killkenny.”
“And you said?”
“I told him I like Mr. Killkenny, and I explained how he taught me about using misdirection when somebody says something I don’t like.” She gave Maddy a sheepish grin. “I guess I should have tried using it on Sissy, but she made me so mad that I just forgot. I told Dad you’re not chasing Mr. Killkenny because he’s rich; that he’s been chasing you because you’re so pretty.” Her smile broadened. “And Dad agreed with me. He said your new hairdo makes your eyes look as big as saucers and that maybe I should get my hair cut just like it. Can I?”
Maddy arched a brow again. “I thought you wanted to keep it long to bug Sissy because she’s been trying to talk you into getting it cut for the last three months?”
Sarah got a mutinous look again. “If I had, everyone would have thought I was trying to be just like her. But I only want one mom, and . . . and that’s you,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. “Can you tell Sissy to quit trying to make me call her Mama? It’s not disrespectful for me to call her Sissy, is it, if that’s her name?”
Maddy pulled her into her embrace. “No, sweetie, you can call her whatever you want.” She chuckled. “Except a tight-assed hussy.”
Sarah sighed and wiped her face on Maddy’s shirt. “When Sissy has her baby, can I get a puppy?”
Not quite sure if she was being misdirected or simply manipulated, Maddy chuckled again. “I’m afraid that’s something you’re going to have to ask Mr. Killkenny.”
Sarah pulled away in surprise. “What’s he got to do with my getting a dog?”
“William has asked me to marry him, Sarah, and if I say yes, that means you and I would be moving in with him.”
“We would?” she squeaked, her eyes growing huge. “In his castle on Dragon Cove?” Her huge eyes suddenly turned worried. “Wait, does that mean we’d have to leave Gram?”
“That’s how it works, Sarah—children grow up and eventually move away from home. It’s what you’re going to do someday, too.”
“But if Rick moves out, too, she’ll be all alone!”
“We’d only be six miles away, not six hundred. You’ll still see Gram whenever you want. And you can have sleepovers with her.” She brushed back Sarah’s hair and tucked it behind her ear. “And we might not be moving at all. I haven’t agreed to marry William yet.”
“You haven’t? But I thought you really liked him.”
“I more than really like him, sweetie. I love William. But I also love you. That’s why I explained to him that he would have to propose to you, too.” She gave her daughter a lopsided grin. “We come as a package, Sarah. If you were two years old, then I would make the decision myself, doing what I thought was best for both of us. But you’re almost ten, and you deserve some say.”
“Daddy didn’t ask me if it was okay for him to marry Sissy.”
“The circumstances are different. Your dad has another child on the way, so he’s doing what he feels is best for everyone. And you aren’t living with him all the time, whereas you would be living with William. That’s why I’m asking you to think about how you’d feel if we got married.”
Sarah’s big brown eyes turned worried again. “But how can I know what I’d feel until it actually happens?” she whispered. “I really like Mr. Killkenny, but what if he’s only being nice to me because he likes you?”
“Do you trust me, Sarah?”
“Of course I do. You’re my mom!”
“Okay, then, let’s make a pact: we won’t marry William until you are absolutely certain it’s the right thing for both of us. And if it takes you two weeks, two months, or two years to get used to the idea of having another man in your life, then that’s simply how long it takes. No pressure.” She laughed. “Although I imagine you might get a few bribes from William.” She gave her daughter a stern look. “But I think you’re old enough and wise enough to take them in the spirit they’re given—as long as you don’t take advantage of the poor sap. Sometimes William gets carried away with his gifts.”
That got a smile from Sarah. “You mean like motorcycle rides and a puppy and maybe even a horse of my own?”
Maddy gestured for her to slide down so she could tuck her in. “If I catch you even sitting on that motorcycle I will cut your hair myself, and we both know how lovely you’ll look then.”
Sarah shuddered. “I still have nightmares from when you cut it two days before my seventh birthday party. I thought Elvira was going to take the clippers to you right after she got done fixing it.”
Maddy stood up and turned off the bedside lamp.
“Mom? Is Mr. Killkenny really going to ask me if he can marry you?”
“Yes, he is. But you don’t have to give him an answer right away, just like I didn’t give him one tonight. You only have to promise that you’ll think about it.”
“If you do marry him, will he want me to call him Dad?”
“No, sweetie. I think one father is enough for any girl. But you could ask him if it’s okay to start calling him William.”
“Is he really building a castle?”
“Not a castle like you’re picturing. He’s building what’s called a keep, which is more like a large house with lots of stone and maybe even a small tower.”
“It sounds big enough for Gram to come live with us.”
“You can’t put conditions on your saying yes to William, Sarah. Besides, did it ever occur to you that maybe Gram might like to have her house all to herself again? Living alone isn’t a punishment, sweetie; sometimes it’s a blessing to have your own space and then have everyone come visit. Gram has slowly been building a new life for herself since Grampy died and has even gone on a few dates. Maybe our leaving will open up room in her life for someone new.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought about that.” She grinned. “Imagine Gram with a boyfriend.”
Maddy walked to the door and shut off the overhead light, then looked back. “Your little extended family is growing in leaps and bounds, isn’t it, baby? But let’s keep William’s marriage proposal just between you, me, Gram, and Rick, okay? Nobody needs to know about it until we decide if there even will be a wedding.”
“Does Mr. . . . does William love you, Mama?”
“Yes, he does. And I believe he loves you, too. But he has a hard time saying what he feels, so that’s why it’s so important that you listen with your heart. People’s actions speak louder than their words. You pay attention not only to how William treats you but to how he treats everyone else, okay? And Sarah?”
“Yeah?”
“You have to consider your father’s feelings, too. Don’t make him feel as if he has to compete with William for your affection. There’s enough room in your heart for both men, and it’s going to fall on your shoulders to reassure them of that.”
“How do I do that?”
“By just being yourself.” She grinned. “And using a bit of misdirection when you have to. When you’re with your dad, don’t talk about William all the time, and when you’re with William, don’t talk constantly about your dad. Just be with them. I promise, if you take this one day at a time, everything will work out for the best, so try not to stay awake half the night thinking too hard, okay?”
Sarah settled down into her pillow with a sigh. “I won’t. Maybe I’ll dream about living in a castle with my new puppy and pony. ’Night, Mom.”
“Good night, baby,” Maddy said softly, closing the bedroom door all but a crack.
She walked to her bedroom, sat down on the bed, and let out a deep sigh, still smiling. Poor William. He didn’t have a clue what he was in for. Sarah Jane was going to give his big, sappy heart a real workout in the coming weeks, because that little girl was definitely her mother’s daughter.
Maddy pulled the small wooden box he’d given her from under her pillow and lifted out the dragon claw to study it.
And then she suddenly smiled again.
She went to her vanity and sat down, picked up her emery board, and carefully slid it across the claw’s razor-sharp point. When it didn’t even leave a mark in the amazingly hard keratin, she turned the board over to the grittier side and tried again. But when that didn’t do much of anything, either, she picked up her metal fingernail file and tried that.
“Okay, I guess you really were a badass dragon,” she muttered when the metal file did little more than scratch it. “Let’s try the nail clippers.”
But Maddy sighed in defeat ten minutes later, setting the claw down beside the broken clippers and the file she had snapped in half, and sucked on her bleeding thumb. Tomorrow on her lunch break she’d have to go to the hardware store and get something a little more lethal.
She put on her pajamas, shut off the overhead light, and walked over to the window. Lifting the shade, Maddy peered up at the knoll and then gave a small wave. “Good night, Mr. Bogeyman,” she whispered.
She climbed into bed with a smile and dreamed of being curled up in William’s arms, the strong, steady beat of his magnificent dragon heart lulling her to sleep.