I looked at him and he looked at me. I didn’t know if up was down or down was up. And then suddenly the room seemed very quiet.
A yellow cat walked back and forth on the window sill. It was like a guardian of my home. For some reason it made me smile, and that was the only thing that seemed about right.
I looked back at Levi, and I wondered what might happen next.
Chapter 39
“One More Thing”
Callii seemed stunned, and I could understand why, but what I’d told her was true. I’d wanted to tell her earlier, much earlier, and many, many times. Oh, how much I’d wanted to tell her. But I’d promised Mary that I would tell no one, and it was important that I kept that vow. Thirty five years was a long time to be married, and no matter what the circumstances, I owed her at least that much.
“Now Callii, I know you never want to get married again,” I said, “because if you do you’ll lose half your fortune. At least that’s part of the reason.” Callii looked at me directly, but she didn’t say a word.
“Now it’s not like I’m asking you to marry me, Callii Jo, and I know this is all kind of sudden, but I have just one simple question for you. It’s not too much of a question, but it’s a very important one to me.”
I moved towards her chair and got down on one knee. I grabbed her hand and pulled it close to my chest. I looked up into her eyes—she seemed to have softened, even if just a bit.
“Callii,” I said, “will you go out with me?” She blinked, and then she blinked again.
“Is that—it? Is that all it is?” she said with a tentative smile.
“That’s it. That’s all it is,” I said. I was still a little anxious.
She came down to the floor and knelt in front of me. We were face to face. Our noses touched and we both smiled. We knew what it meant.
“Tonight?” she asked. “Are you available?”
“Well, yes,” I answered, “but will you have me home by breakfast?”
She wrapped both arms around me and whispered in my ear, “Not a chance.”
I could feel the warmth of her breath in my ear and the beating of her heart against my chest. She smelled like a woman, and it almost made me swoon. I lowered my face and kissed her on the neck.
“Levi….” She whispered in my ear.
“Callii….” I said softly, and we both knew that we meant it.
From somewhere came the meow of a cat. We ignored it, completely.
***
Table of Contents
Start
The Widow's Friend Page 21
