His eyes widened and he swallowed hard. “It was the memory. Not the size. Can we go back to the beautiful weed?” She stood there, arms crossed over her chest, completely unmoved. “Or maybe the part where I was holding you in my arms and we were going to go snuggle in bed?”
Just as quickly as she was angered, Marti seemed to calm down for a moment. Then, she darted back to the bathroom. By the time he had followed her in, she was hunched over the toilet throwing up what was left of her dinner into the toilet bowl.
“I don’t suppose, Miss Iron Gut, that you could have food poisoning from that questionable hot dog by any chance?” It was a terrible time to be teasing her, but he needed to change the mood and fast.
Head still in the toilet, Marti raised one hand and using her thumb and forefinger, pinched them close together to show there might be a slight chance. “I better sit down. I think you almost agreed with me. I take back the food poisoning diagnosis. You must be delirious.” He drew closer and rubbed her back, after he gathered her hair. “I’ll go get your toothbrush. You’ll feel better.”
As he walked out, he saw her sit down on the floor next to the toilet while looking completely defeated. Her head hung sadly, and there were tears streaming down her face. It gave him pause, but he continued into the room to get her toiletry bag. When he returned, she had blown her nose, flushed the toilet and was standing there shaking beside the sink.
“I’m gonna take you up on your offer,” she whispered. “Let’s go to bed after I brush.”
Nodding, he smiled. “I think that’s very wise,” Joey agreed.
Minutes later they had removed all but his boxer briefs and her panties before crawling into bed. “Thank you for sticking it out,” Marti managed while nestled in his arms.
“Always,” he promised. “Now rest so we can enjoy tomorrow.” He had high hopes Saturday would be the day he’d make her his own, or at least get the commitment. While he felt her grow heavy in his arms, he plotted and planned in his head.
This whole proposal thing was no joke. It had to be somewhere special and memorable. They needed a story to tell the kids and grandkids. This was the start of their legacy. Just when he was convinced she was down for the count, she perked up momentarily.
“Margaritaville.”
It was so random the best response he could give was, “huh?”
“Yeah. We should go there.” She yawned and stretched before melting into him once more.
There it was. As soon as she was ready, they’d go to Margaritaville and he’d pop the question. Perfect. Leave it to Marti. She was full of good ideas.
The sun rose early, but Marti sure didn’t. Joey was absolutely baffled as to how she managed to stay asleep. Instead of the sunlight streaming through the window and gentling nudging them awake like it did in their New Hope home, here the sun came blazing into the room, burning his retinas even through his closed eyelids. After he carefully extricated himself from under her, Joey went and took a nice long hot shower. In part, it really helped him wash away any lingering sleepiness, but mostly because he hoped she’d wake up and come join him.
Apparently it wasn’t to be. By the time she rose, he had already been up for two hours. He’d caught up on the news and fielded text messages from Keely and Laurel who wanted to know if he’d popped the question yet. As if it was that simple. So far, the entire trip had been nothing short of a disaster from the moment they boarded the plane. There was a crying baby, a lost cell phone, a run in with police, and a moderate case of food poisoning. If they were smart, they’d run, yes run back to New Hope where everything was safe, and sane, and boring. Joey was half considering suggesting it when Marti wandered out to the balcony where he was sitting, wearing nothing but a bikini.
At first, all he could do was stare at her. Seeing her this close to naked was still a very rare thing for them. “How are you feeling?” he asked when he finally found his words. After all, it would be really insensitive of him to drag her back to the bedroom and have his way with her if she was under the weather. Of course, who was sick and looked that hot?
Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. The simple black bathing suit showed off her curves to perfection. Still, it was the smile on her pale face and the sparkle in her eyes that drew him in most of all.
“I’m a new woman,” she announced happily while dropping down into the chair opposite him and crossing her legs.
Did she have any idea how seductive she looked? Already Joey was aching to touch her. “Come here,” he suggested, patting his lap.
“What’s wrong with this seat?” she asked playfully.
Reaching over, he yanked her onto his lap. Then he drew her close and kissed her. It was long and loving, ending with a playful nibble on her bottom lip. “We can’t do that with you over there,” he pointed out.
“Touché,” she murmured against his lips. Just when Joey thought he was going to be able to steal another kiss and parlay it into a romp in the bedroom, she bobbed back and asked, “Hey, what are we doing today?”
With a frustrated sigh, he stood her up. “Margaritaville and sightseeing, if you’re up for it.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and added. “Secretly, I’m hoping you just want to lay in bed.”
“Bahaha!” she burst out. “That’s no secret.” Then she grew more serious. “Let’s go there for lunch.”
“As you wish.” Smiling lovingly, Joey’s heart began to pound. Lunch. It looked like he’d be asking her at lunch.
Marti talked him into a swim first and a walk around the grounds. There was no real beach area there, but there was a lovely pier and enough grassy space to make it aesthetically pleasing. They held hands as they walked. This time, he smiled. “You know, it wasn’t so long ago I wouldn’t have held your hand in public.”
“Uh yeah. I remember, Mr. I Don’t Do PDAs.” She laughed and jabbed him in the side.
“You’ve changed me, Marti.” Joey squeezed her hand. “I’m better because of you.”
She was uncharacteristically quiet. Was she just thinking? Was she working on some sassy comeback? It was almost unnerving until she finally broke the silence. “Is it lunch time yet? My stomach has been empty for too long.”
Though he wanted to eat, he was beginning to chicken out on proposing. Maybe it was too soon. What if she refused to marry him? He had been torturing himself with these doubts ever since Laurel and Keely brought these ideas to his attention. Determined to be a man of his word, Joey vowed he would go through with it.
After changing into street clothes up in the room, they headed to the car to drive down to Duvall Street. The trip there, only a few miles, was really pretty. There were tons of quaint overpriced houses, loads of foliage. Once they had parked, they walked immediately to the restaurant.
This, the original Margaritaville, was a tropical colored dream. Even during the day, though somewhat quieter, it maintained its party atmosphere. Valentine’s Day was no exception. There were couples everywhere, some in wedding attire.
“Is it always like this on the weekends?” Marti asked the hostess.
“No, but with the holiday and the cruise ships in port, we’re busy. Couples can get off the ship and get married here the same day they get the license. We see this a lot. Don’t worry though. We’ll have a table for you shortly.”
After Marti excused herself to go to the restroom, Joey pulled the hostess aside. “Listen, I want to propose while we’re here. Can you help me with that?”
Smiling, the hostess asked, “What do you have in mind? Ring in a glass of champagne?”
“No champagne. How about dessert? Maybe a cheesecake and it can come first?” Joey felt like he was grasping here, but he only had minutes to make it happen.
“You got it!”
True to her word, they were seated in less than ten minutes. Soon after, their drink order was taken. For Joey, the anticipation was mounting. After all, this moment would change everything. He was determined not to crumble under the pressure. Out
of the corner of his eye, he could see their waitress trying to make her way through the throng of people to deliver the drinks. As he had requested, there was a cheesecake on the tray. He couldn’t take his eyes off it.
Just then, Marti reached across the table and tugged on his shirt. “Look!” she exclaimed while pointing.
Turning his head, he processed what he was about to see. There was a man down on one knee in front of his girlfriend. He was holding out the little black box and she was squealing. Everyone around was applauding. Love and excitement filled the air.
“You have to be fucking kidding me!” Joey growled.
Marti jumped at his reaction. “What? I think it’s sweet. And very memorable. Everyone needs a good engagement story.”
Rubbing his hands down his face, he sighed. He absolutely agreed with her. The problem was that it should be their engagement story. Now, if he went through with it, he was going to look lame and unoriginal. Before he could make an excuse for his reaction, the waitress arrived with the tray. She was beaming as she placed their drinks in front of them. She handed Joey the cheesecake. In chocolate sauce on the rim of the plate was written, “Say yes!” All he had to do was add the ring. Sadly, he shook his head and passed it back to the waitress. Then he jerked his head in the direction of the newly engaged couple, hoping it would be explanation enough for their server. “We didn’t order this. Must be for them.”
Apparently she understood. Patting him on the shoulder, the waitress delivered the dessert to the couple. Taking a long sip of his margarita, Joey mourned the loss of yet another prime opportunity to ask Marti to marry him. He was beginning to wonder if it was a sign. If it was this hard, maybe he shouldn’t be asking. Then he tried to imagine what his life would be like if he never asked. In an instant he saw strings of Brantleys fighting to usurp him. It was no kind of life. He’d just have to keep trying.
After they had finished eating, Marti was eager for more sightseeing. She wanted them to go see the colorful buoy marking the southernmost point in the continental US. “Let’s take our picture there,” she suggested, the excitement in her voice evident.
“If it will make you this happy, how can I deny you?” Joey grinned while they walked. Somehow, he had it in his mind this might just be the place. It sounded cheesy enough to be absolutely perfect. Best of all, Marti suggested it.
There was a large group of people crowding around the buoy, waiting for their turn to take a picture. Marti looked over at Joey nervously. “Maybe we should just give up? We could be here for a while.”
Out of nowhere, the fear drained away and the words suddenly screamed for release. “What? Are you kidding me?” He shook his head. “I’ve walked to the end of the US with you, Marti. We’re not giving up.” For once, Joey decided to not overthink it, to just follow his heart. It couldn’t be wrong. Time and again that crazy organ had lead him to Marti.
Smiling, he dropped to one knee. “In fact, I think we should make it official. Will you marry me?”
Her mouth gaped open. More than shock, he saw fear there. Maybe he should have thought out the words just a little more.
“I can’t marry you. I’m still married.” She started to take a step back.
Reaching out, Joey grabbed her hand and halted her escape. People were staring, but he felt completely oblivious. All he cared about was Marti. “I didn’t mean today, but soon and forever.” He grinned, struggling to remain confident.
She pursed her lips. “I don’t know.”
Standing, he held both of her hands. “What don’t you know?” Joey could sense any number of thoughts and emotions coursing through her. If only he could get her to talk, he could overcome any objection she threw at him. He just knew it.
Shaking her head, Marti finally exploded. “How can I marry you when you don’t even love me? You’re just doing this out of some misplaced sense of responsibility,” she argued.
Taken aback, Joey repeated her words. “You think I feel responsible?” He was completely baffled. Responsible was not something he was normally accused of being.
Shifting her weight to one hip she smirked. “Well, you did impregnate me.”
Laughing, he thought he finally understood. “You think that’s why I want to marry you?”
“Well, I think that’s the urgency behind it,” Marti admitted.
Sighing, he looked at the ground and shook his head. “Dammit. I’m doing this all wrong. I’m not saying it right.” Finally meeting her eyes, he gave her a pleading look. “How can you not know how much I love you?”
Frowning, Marti blurted out, “How would I know? When would I have figured that out? In between our misunderstandings? Oh, or maybe when we go days on end not speaking to each other?” She started sniffling then and Joey thought he could see unspent tears in her eyes.
Cupping her face, he murmured, “How about the other night? I said it then.”
Her chin jutted out immediately. “Doesn’t count.”
“What do you mean it doesn’t count?” he asked in exasperation.
Throwing her hands in the air, she grumbled, “You said it during sex. That’s like saying it under duress or when senses are all heightened because of hormones. It’s not the same as genuine emotion.”
While she was the one who brought hormones into the conversation, Joey was at least bright enough to know not to open the door and walk through. Instead, he tried a different approach. “You think I lied? You think I didn’t mean it because that’s when I finally relaxed enough to admit my feelings for you?” Sadly, Joey shook his head. “Marti, I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve never been able to lie to you. Think back and you’ll know it’s true,” he urged.
Marti was quiet a moment. He imagined she was replaying their history in her head. Eventually, she nodded, her only indication she agreed with his assessment.
A lopsided grin broke on his face. “See, that didn’t take long.”
“Well, we don’t have that much history.”
“That’s true, but I don’t want to waste another minute I could be making memories with you.” Staring at her, he struggled with what to say.
Waiting patiently, she was torn between wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt and not wanting to give him false hope. It didn’t matter if they were having a baby. She refused to be in a loveless marriage again. She wanted something real. Was there even enough good between them to make this work?
Joey drew her back in. “Babe, I’m sure you look at me and think I don’t have much to offer, not even a home after losing mine. The fire should have devastated me, but it doesn’t phase me. I don’t need my home. Wherever you are is home to me.” Leaning close, he held her face in both of his hands and kissed her forehead, then her temple. He nuzzled her cheek before finally speaking again. The closeness was absolutely intoxicating. She could feel her heart thawing.
“I need you, Marti. You make me a better man. You give me the strength to accomplish anything, and the courage necessary to face any adversity. You have healed me in a way I never imagined possible. Because of that, I’m finally free to love again.” Joey stared into her eyes. “I’m terrible at saying it, admitting the depth of my feelings, but every day, in every way, I show you. Think back to when I pulled you out of your porch, when I took away your sledgehammer, and when I drove you to the beach.”
He smiled while reminding her of their history, one he continued to add meaning to even as he spoke. “Feel how much I love you when I wrap you in my arms, when I kiss your lips, even in the touch of our hands.” Joey crushed her to his chest. “I love you, Marti. One way or another, I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
At the moment, he was the perfect combination of serious and loving. She was mesmerized, wondering what he would say or do next. She didn’t have to wait long.
Pulling his hand out of his cargo shorts pocket, Joey held a ring in the palm of his hand. “As an added bonus to having me as your husband foreve
r, you get this lovely family heirloom ring. I’m hoping that unlike the charm bracelet, you’ll never ever want to take it off.” He smiled shyly at her, then held the ring up for her inspection.
For a moment Marti was drawn in by the way it sparkled. She was vaguely aware of her pounding head, the way her heart was in her throat. She knew he was waiting for an answer, knew there were people all around watching, waiting for her response. Fear gripped her. This was a huge decision. Marti felt like she was watching her life through a haze.
Then all of a sudden, somehow, the ring slipped out of his fingers. Joey dropped to the ground to pick it up. This was completely unlike him. Suddenly he was all butter fingers, a product of the stress. Marti saw a single bead of sweat near his temple while he pawed through the grass near the bench.
Tempest Torn Page 22
