Gumbo Weather
Page 9
“What in the world?”
His uncle placed his arm around Justin’s shoulders. “We have a special Christmas present for you.”
A quick scan of his uncle’s face left Justin clueless.
“Justin, my boy, you are mine and Cookie’s son. My only wish on this beautiful Christmas night is that your mama and daddy could be here wit’ us. But I have a feelin’ dat your daddy would be jus’ as proud of you as I am. In fact, I know he would.”
He hugged Justin. “Merry Christmas.” As he stepped back, the tarp dropped, revealing a gold ’70’s Camaro with black stripes. Everyone from upstairs had hurried down to be part of the unveiling. They stood behind the car and shouted, “Merry Christmas!”
“What? Is this what I think it is? Dad’s Camaro? Aww, Nonc Al, I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to work on this with you. What a surprise.”
“It’s the very car your daddy had. Mr. Jack said he wouldn’t let it go to anyone but you. I thought we could bring it back to its glory days on your off time.”
Justin’s throat constricted. He wanted to say more but the words stuck. Emotions, raw and unchecked ran through his heart. He grabbed Noel’s hand and escorted her around the car. When he opened the passenger door, as he envisioned his dad had done so many years ago, her engaging smile made his heart pump faster. Although, after seeing this wonderful surprise, he didn’t think that was possible.
He’d imagined his Christmas gift to Noel would have been given under more private circumstances, but now in this car with his family around, he couldn’t think of a better time or place. It was as though his parents were right here in the car with them. His mother’s wedding set had been sitting in his aunt’s jewelry box waiting for this very occasion.
****
When Justin slid into the driver’s seat, Noel imagined how excited he was to have the same car his father had. When he reached into his coat pocket, her heart soared. Was he going to do what she thought?
Although family and friends were still standing behind his car, silence filled the garage.
Justin leaned toward her and lifted her hand then kissed her fingers. “Merry Christmas and Happy Early Birthday.”
His breath on her hand sent a small shiver through her. He looked into her eyes with a soft, tender gaze. “You have become the center of my world, and I want to be with you always.” He lifted a brilliant one-carat solitaire. “Noel, would you marry me?”
She covered her mouth with her hand and caught her breath. The moisture pooling in her eyes blurred the handsome man sitting before her. All she wanted was to hold him and for him to hold her. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered in his ear. “Yes, yes. I will marry you. I love you, Justin Gravois.”
He planted tender kisses on her lips. She welcomed them, and after a few moments, she realized that everyone in the garage clapped. When they parted, he slipped the ring on her. It twisted around her tiny finger. She brought her hand to her chest and held it there.
“We’ll have to get it sized. It was my mother’s.”
Fresh tears filled her eyes as she gazed at the ring. “Oh my, it’s beautiful. I adore it.”
He lifted her chin. His gleaming green eyes held the love and compassion she’d come to know from him. “And I adore you.”
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