Say You'll Marry Me (Welcome to Redemption #10)

by Stacey Joy Netzel

  Silence greeted her long enough that she would’ve checked to see if the call was lost if it weren’t for the sound of the tractor engine in the background. As seconds ticked by, she wondered if he’d heard her.

  Finally, a sigh came across the line. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  “Great. Thanks, honey.” Joy added emphasis on the honey just for spite, then disconnected without giving him a chance to respond. He wanted to act like an ass again, she’d sugar him to death.

  She turned to her grandma and reached to take the keys. “Logan will be here in a few minutes, okay? Let’s wait inside so I can leave a note for Grandpa. Plus, I need to check the spaghetti sauce.”

  Thankfully, Grandma didn’t argue any further. As they waited, Joy wrote the note, put the sauce away for when they got home, and then made a furtive call to Carrie to see if she could set up an impromptu tasting with whatever cakes she had on hand. As expected, Tara and Jenny had discreetly passed the word amongst their friends, so Carrie was aware of the situation and assured her she’d pull something together.

  When Logan arrived, they met him out in the garage. She swept her gaze over his faded T-shirt, threadbare jeans, and scuffed work boots. She didn’t mind the way they clung to his muscled physique one bit, but it wasn’t fair how good the man looked in such scruffy clothes.

  “Problem?” he challenged.

  She jerked her gaze up, noting his hair ruffled from the wind. “No.”

  His brown gaze narrowed. “I was working in the field. What did you expect?”

  “I didn’t say anything.” She helped Gram into the passenger seat, then made her way around to the driver’s door where he stood.

  “You didn’t have to. If it makes you feel any better, I showered before I got in the tractor this morning, and I had the air on. You okay with that?”

  Not when all she wanted to do was bury her nose in the crook of his neck and inhale as if she were an addict dying for her next fix.

  “It’s fine,” she retorted, annoyed at his confrontational attitude, and her own wayward mind.

  “Good.” He extended his hand, palm up. “Give me the keys. I’ll drive.”

  “I got it.” She pulled the driver’s side door open, but he blocked her way, much the same as she’d done to Gram earlier.

  “I’m not going to be chauffeured around in the back seat,” he said in a low voice. “I drive, or I don’t go.”

  Grandma leaned over to peer at them through the open door. “A man wants to be in charge, dear. Give the boy the keys and let him drive.”

  “Listen to your grandmother,” he advised.

  “What is this, some chauvinistic need to go with your pride?” She slapped the keys into his hand and slammed the door after she slid into the back seat.

  What the hell is his problem today?

  Halfway to town, while chatting with Gram, she caught his gaze in the rearview mirror. Not a hint of warmth shone in his eyes, and his expression could’ve been carved in stone. She didn’t understand why he was so put out. He’d readily agreed to the trip last night, so it wasn’t like he hadn’t had advance warning.

  A few minutes later, he made the turn onto Salvation Avenue, and she spotted Coffee To Chai For up ahead. Still hoping to avoid the pet store all together, she injected an excited note to her voice. “Carrie said she has some great cakes for us, Gram.”

  “Good. I really hope you two can agree on a flavor.”

  “I’m sure we will.”

  Logan parked near the coffee shop and told Gram he’d be around to get her door. Joy joined him on the sidewalk before he went around. “Don’t mention the pet shop. If we’re lucky, she’ll forget about the bed, and we can go back home after this.”

  He gave a brief nod and went to open the passenger door. All smiles for her grandma, he treated her like a queen as he led her inside and pulled out a chair at one of the tables. “Would you like a coffee, June? Or some tea?”

  “You’re such a dear. Plain tea would be wonderful.”

  “Joy? What do you want?”

  She hadn’t sat yet and started toward the counter, assuming he’d follow.

  “Honey.” A steely note in Logan’s voice turned her around to see him holding out a chair for her. “Have a seat and tell me what you want.”

  The polite, yet clenched teeth request brought her back to the table to sit down, her back stiff as he pushed the chair in for her. “I’ll have a medium mocha cappuccino, please. Skim milk, whipped cream on top.”

  She reached into her purse for her wallet when suddenly Logan’s lips were pressed to her ear. His warm breath sent a reactive shiver down her spine. To everyone else in the coffee shop—including Marv, Millie Swanson, and her husband—it probably looked like a sweet kiss from a man in love with his fiancée.

  Only she heard his whispered words. “Leave your damn money where it is. I can afford a couple cups of coffee.”

  Seemed anything she did today was going to offend him, though she was confused as to why. He’d assured her last night on the phone they were okay.

  Then again, that was before he asked if she still loved Luke.

  Was he upset because he thought she did? But what would he care? They were only acting, after all. He’d made sure to stress that fact yesterday; he’d pretend for as long as she needed him to. The make-believe part was something she sometimes forgot about, but he was more than reminding her now.

  He came back after ordering, and a few minutes later, Carrie herself delivered their drink order, as well as a plate full of cake samples with three forks. The short brunette took a seat with them to go through the flavors. “How’s Sweet Pea doing, June?”

  “Good. We’re picking up a new bed for my princess at Bev Donovan’s new shop after we’re done here.”

  Crap. Looked like they wouldn’t be able to avoid the pet store, and that could get awkward with Mrs. Donovan.

  Logan picked up a fork and reached for the first bite of lemon poppy seed with whipped cream frosting. Instead of eating it himself, he turned to feed it to Joy.

  Warmth flooded her face even though she knew it was part of the performance. His gaze met hers, full of challenge until she closed her lips around the dessert. He pulled the fork back and she automatically licked her lips for the frosting. His attention dropped, heat flickering in his eyes before he quickly reached for his own bite.

  She flicked a glance at their table companions and saw a small smile twitching the corners of their hostess’ mouth. Joy’s cheeks warmed even more, but she ignored the sensation and turned to Gram. “Good, isn’t it?”

  “I don’t care for that frosting,” she replied bluntly.

  “Honestly, it’s not a favorite of mine, either,” Carrie agreed. “But I still wanted to provide the option.”

  “How about this one?” Logan asked.

  Joy turned her head to find another bite waiting for her. Though she was uncomfortable with Carrie watching with that smirk, she decided if he wanted to play it up, so could she.

  The pumpkin with cream cheese frosting was divine, and she gave a low, genuine “Mmm” of appreciation. This time, she purposely swept her tongue along her lips, and noted another flare of reaction from her fake fiancé. She had the distinct impression he didn’t want to watch, but couldn’t help himself.

  Good.

  “I like that one a lot,” Gram agreed after they’d each tried a bite. “Though I’m not sure about pumpkin for a May wedding.”

  She was supposed to have married Luke in May. A subtle sideways glance caught the tightening of Logan’s jaw.

  “Oh?” Carrie’s blue gaze shot to the two of them. “You’ve set a date?”

  “Yep,” he said.

  “Not yet,” Joy said at the same time.

  Gram paused in the middle of lifting a bite of carrot cake. “I thought everything was set for the third weekend in May?”

  “Not quite.” She shot Logan a warning look. “We’re still discussing a date.”r />
  May was out. Just like the dress she planned to donate was out. And the chocolate cake that was next to taste. It was stupid, really, since the wedding they were planning wasn’t real, but copying any of the arrangements she’d made for her marriage to Luke felt wrong.

  Thankfully, Grandma let the subject go, and once they finished the remaining selections on the plate, she said, “Is this it? What about red velvet?”

  Carrie cast Joy a glance. “I can have a few more for you to try next week.”

  “Oh, good,” Gram said. “Do either of you have a favorite so far?”

  Joy raised her eyebrows toward Logan. He leaned back in his chair and gestured toward her with his chin. “You first.”

  “No, go ahead.”

  “Same time,” Carrie proposed with a grin coloring her voice.

  Gazes locked, they both said, “Pumpkin.”

  Joy laid a hand on his leg and gave a quick rub along his thigh as she leaned in for a kiss with a sweet smile. “Aw, honey, look at us being all agreeable.”

  His answering smile stretched tight as he met her halfway, thigh muscles tense beneath her palm. The press of his lips lasted just long enough for her to register warmth and that little electric spark before he sat back again. She withdrew her hand when he subtly shifted his leg out of reach.

  Carrie reached for the mostly empty plate. “May wedding or not, pumpkin sounds like a winner for now. We’ll keep that as the front runner, and I’ll make sure to have it again with the other selections.”

  Her grandma set her cup of tea down and rose to her feet. “I’m going to use the ladies room before we go to the pet shop. I’ll be right back.”

  Joy waited until she’d left before reaching for her purse. “I really appreciate all this, Carrie. What do I owe you for the cakes?”

  The busty brunette waved the question away. “I already told Logan there’s no charge. Just don’t mention it to Matt. Mr. Business Degree doesn’t like it when I give stuff away.”

  The thought of instigating one of Carrie and Matt’s infamous verbal matches made her smile. She suspected Marv and the book club members frequented the shop as much for the entertainment as the great food. She also suspected the two shop owners loved the fighting as much for the challenge as for the making up part afterward.

  “Well, again, thank you.”

  “No problem.” The brunette cast a quick glance around at the other customers, then leaned in and lowered her voice. “I have to say, you two are pretty good at this. Any chance there’s more to the story than what I heard from Jenny?”

  Heat burned Joy’s neck and cheeks, but before she could even think about forming a reply, Logan answered in a low undertone.

  “Nope. I’m just a stand-in for her ex.” He shoved his chair back and stood. After a glance toward the Swansons, he placed a hand on Joy’s shoulders while bending to brush his lips across her cheek. “I’ll meet you and Gram outside, hon. Thanks, Carrie.”

  “My pleasure.” She turned arched eyebrows toward Joy as he left. “Wow. No resentment there at all.”

  Sarcastic understatement of the year.

  Joy gave her a wan smile and said her goodbyes as Grandma returned. Out at the car, she waited by the driver’s side as Logan helped the older woman into her seat. When he made his way around to their side, she said, “What you just said back there…”

  He lifted his gaze to hers, brown eyes shuttered and distant. “You’re the one who insisted we shouldn’t pretend with each other. I just said it like it is.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but he shouldered past to yank open the back passenger door. “We should get going. I have hay to cut when we get back.”

  An irritated huff came from the front seat. “Can we go before the store closes?”

  Much as she wanted to press the issue with Logan, she had to focus on her grandma. Attempts to steer her away from the pet store were met with rising belligerence, so when Logan looked askance as to whether they were going or not, Joy gave a resigned nod toward Bev’s on Main Street. At the moment, it was best to ride things out and pray there weren’t too many questions.

  Inside the store, she forced a smile when she saw Mike Donovan and his cute little red-headed daughter, Maddie. With him were Bernie Mitchell, and a teen-aged boy with sandy brown hair. Must be the brother who’d recently come to live with her after his parents were killed.

  She would’ve gone to say hi, and give Bernie a hug and condolences about her father and stepmother, but Gram marched right up to the counter and smiled brightly at Mrs. Donovan.

  “Hello, Bev. I got your call, and I’m here to pick up Sweet Pea’s new bed.”

  The blond shop owner frowned. “You picked it up yesterday, June. With your husband. Don’t you remember?”

  A mutinous expression took over her grandmother face. “No, I did not. Did Joy tell you to say that?”

  Joy hurried up to the counter. “Gram—”

  “Of course not.” Bev’s confusion grew. “We spoke for a good ten minutes. You told me about Joy’s engagement, and how you were so excited to help plan the wedding.”

  “Yes, I remember that. But my princess still needs her bed.”

  Mike’s mom turned her dumbfounded gaze toward Joy. She offered Bev a pleading smile. “Maybe we could go check in the back while Gram stays here with Logan?” She glanced back behind her grandma and met Logan’s gaze. “Do you mind, honey?”

  “Not at all.” He reached out to touch her grandmother’s shoulder. “I bet Sweet Pea would love a new leash. Why don’t we go look?”

  “I suppose I could look,” she agreed grudgingly, letting him lead her down the other aisle.

  Joy blew out a sigh as she turned back to Bev. “I’m sorry about that. She doesn’t remember picking up the bed, so can you just sell us another one, and I’ll bring it back later?”

  “Is June all right?”

  Movement at her side revealed Bernie had joined them at the counter as Joy answered. “She has dementia, but hasn’t wanted anyone to know. It’s getting harder to keep it a secret when things like this happen, and we can’t always keep her home.”

  Bev leaned over and grasped her hand. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. Of course I can get you another bed. Anything I can do to help.”

  Bernie put an arm around her. “Sorry, Joy.”

  “Thanks. And same to you.” She turned to grasp her in a full hug. “I’m so sorry to hear about your dad and stepmom.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  Joy glanced toward the boy looking at the reptile habitats with Mike’s daughter. “How are you and your brother doing?”

  A flicker of emotion darkened the brunette’s hazel eyes as her gaze shifted to the kids. “It hasn’t been easy, I won’t lie. Noah’s been…a bit of a handful. But I think things are finally settling down.”

  They talked a few minutes more while Bev rang up the second pet bed and put it in a large bag. Joy saw Mike had gone over to talk to Logan and her grandma, and Bernie’s head turned to follow her gaze.

  “So, I gotta ask…did I really just hear you call Logan Walsh honey?”

  Heat burned her cheeks. She should be used to this by now. “Ah, yeah.”

  “I didn’t even know you two were dating, much less engaged.”

  “We’re not. The short version is, Gram got it in her mind we’re engaged, and it’s easier to play along with her than try to correct her. She gets upset, as you saw earlier.” She cast a wry glance at Bev before turning back to Bernie. “But just you guys and close friends know. Everyone else in town thinks it’s real.”

  “And Logan agreed to this?”

  Joy nodded, watching him talk with Mike as Gram picked out a leash.

  “Wow. That’s…really nice of him. He’s always seemed a little, I don’t know, standoffish.”

  Something Joy was beginning to realize was his defense mechanism. Keep people distant to appear as if he didn’t care when they judged him for being poor. Only, he d
idn’t realize the judgment came from his attitude toward them, not the balance in his bank account.

  “He’s been great about it,” she said, meaning every word despite his piss-poor attitude today. Because now she was pretty sure she’d figured out the reason for that. At least she hoped she had. “He’s a lot different than I expected.”

  “Good different?”

  “Yeah,” she confirmed with a small smile as she turned back to Bernie. “But enough about my fake relationship. I want to hear what’s going on with you and Mike.”

  The guys’ voices and Gram’s grew louder as they started toward the counter. Bernie gave her a little shrug and a secretive smile. “Stay tuned.”

  “Well, good luck,” she whispered.

  “You, too,” Bernie shot back.

  Did she want luck?

  Logan smiled down at her grandma before lifting his shuttered gaze to hers. Yeah. She wanted luck big time. Needed it, too.

  Bev added the leash to their order, and after a quick hello and goodbye for Mike, they were able to leave without any further incident.

  Logan parked the car in the garage shortly after five p.m., next to Grandpa’s SUV. He strode around to the front passenger door while Joy grabbed the large pet shop bag from the seat next to her.

  “Will you be joining us for dinner, Logan?” Gram asked. “Joy made homemade spaghetti and meatballs.”

  She quickly glanced over to see his reaction to the question, but he kept his focus on shutting the door. “Sorry, June, but I have to get back out and finish cutting the hay.”

  “You shouldn’t be skipping meals, young man.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll eat when I get home.”

  “Joy will fix you a plate.” Her tone allowed for no argument as she turned to face him from the top of the steps leading into the house from the garage. “You make sure you stop here when you’re done, you hear?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He leaned in to brush a kiss on her cheek.

  Her grandmother blushed as she went into the house. Touched and hopeful at his sweet gesture, Joy hung back to talk to him, but he avoided her gaze and strode past without a word. She took a breath to call him back, then decided she’d make her own luck when he returned for dinner. He would have no choice but to listen as he ate.