by Mary Manners
“Oh.” Brent scratched his chin and winked at Grace. “I guess that means we move on to plan B.”
“What’s plan B?”
“Doing what your mom says, champ.”
“Gee.” Adam’s chest deflated. “That doesn’t sound like much fun.”
“Even so…” Brent nudged the plate toward Adam and nodded. “Looks like your mom worked hard to make that.”
“I guess.”
“So eat up. A good sandwich will help you run faster, and score more goals.”
“Really?” Adam’s eyes grew round as polished amethyst gemstones.
“Sure.” Brent winked. “A tall glass of milk will do the trick, too.”
Adam tipped his glass and guzzled. Then he held up the glass for Brent’s inspection. “It’s almost gone now, Mr. Brent.”
“Good. And when you’re done with the sandwich, too, how’d you like to take a walk with me over to the crisis center? Logan’s finished construction of the apartments, and we’re ready to show them off.”
“You are?” Grace brushed crumbs from her hands and poured him a cup of coffee. “Oh, that’s wonderful news, Brent. Just in time for Thanksgiving, like you planned.”
“It is.” He took the cup she offered, and his gaze told her he longed to kiss her again. And she wanted him to…ever since the night of the gala, when he’d driven her home and kissed the breath from her there in the living room, while Tessa and Adam slept. Her insides felt like Christmas and the Fourth of July rolled into one every time she thought of the tingles that raced up her spine as his lips brushed against hers, of the flutter in her belly. “And I’ll give you a tour after work, Grace, but for now…I thought Adam and I could take a walk, spend a little time together, man to man.”
“Yes, sir!” Adam’s chest puffed out with pride. He grabbed the sandwich and stuffed a bite into his mouth. “The gold cake can wait, Mama. I wanna go with Mr. Brent.”
“I’ll save you a slice.” Grace laughed and touched Brent’s shoulder. “You, too.”
“That’s good. We’ll be back in a while.”
Adam scrambled from the seat and pressed his ball cap down low over his forehead. “It’s almost Thanksgiving, Mr. Brent. Would you like to come eat dinner with us? Mama’s a real good cook.”
“I know.” He took Adam’s hand. “And I wouldn’t miss it for the world, champ.”
****
“Look at that Tom turkey, Mr. Brent. Mama could barely fit it into the roasting pan.” Adam brushed a hand across his mouth as drool clung to his lips. Grace smiled and nudged him out of the way as she reached for the turkey baster. The kitchen was pleasantly warm, the air filled with the aroma of buttery mashed potatoes, rich sage stuffing and warm yeast rolls. Grace laughed as Adam added, “It’s huge!”
“It has to be,” Grace informed him as she pooled thick drippings over the meat and then peeked into the oven to check the green-bean casserole. “The whole family will be here soon for dinner.”
“Auntie Kate and Uncle Logan?”
“Yes.” Grace tossed the pot holder onto the counter and reached for the salt. “And Aunt Tessa and Aunt Mattie, too.”
“Wow, that’s…” Adam counted on his fingers. “Lots and lots of people.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Hand me that platter and I’ll carve the turkey,” Brent offered. “But I need something to tide me over while we wait for the others to arrive. Will you give me a nibble of that gold cake, Grace? I think there are a few slices left in the pastry box.”
“Is today a day for havin’ dessert first, Mr. Brent?” Adam tugged on his pant leg.
“Yes, son, I believe it is.”
“OK.” Grace smiled and opened the box. “Just this once, because if I know Tessa she’ll run late, and we’ll have to hold off on dinner a bit.”
“I want a bite, too,” Adam said. “Can I, Mama, please?”
“Sure, honey.” She reached for the pie-server and lifted a slice of the moist, golden cake. Tucked into the buttercream frosting, a flash of light caught her eye.
She gasped at the generous band of yellow gold. “Brent…oh, my!”
“Find something in there you like?” His mocha eyes twinkled with mischief as he reached over her shoulder to take the slice of cake from her. “Let me see.”
“What is it, Mama?” Adam hopped up and down, hoping for a glimpse. “Is it a treasure?”
Grace’s breath caught, and the room seemed to whirl. She pressed a hand to her racing heart. “Oh, it is!”
Brent removed the solitaire, nestled safely in a yellow-gold setting, and murmured to Adam, “Watch this, son.” Without missing a beat, he fell to his knees on the tile floor at Grace’s feet.
Grace brushed a hand through his hair as tears filled her eyes. “Brent…”
He gazed up at her, his eyes full of all the love he’d felt for her since the beginning…since the first day they’d met.
“I love you, Grace. I’ve loved you forever…since kindergarten.” He took her left hand, kissed the fingers gently. “And now I’d like to know…will you marry me, sweet Grace?”
She choked, gasped, and pulled him to his feet to wrap her arms around him. “Yes.” Tears spilled over to stream down her cheeks. “Oh, yes!”
Adam’s whoops of glee were joined by shouts from the doorway as Mattie, Kate, and Tessa strode in, followed by Logan.
“Help me get dinner on the table Kate…Mattie. And Logan, get that turkey carved.” Tessa grinned and reached for a nibble of gold cake. “There’s no time to waste. Can’t you see we have a wedding to plan?”
Don’t miss the other
Sweet Treats Bakery stories
AVAILABLE NOW
Kate’s Kisses
COMING SOON!
Tessa’s Teacakes
Mattie’s Meltaways
Thank you for purchasing this White Rose Publishing title. For other inspirational stories of romance, please visit our on-line bookstore at www.whiterosepublishing.com .
For questions or more information, contact us at [email protected].
White Rose Publishing
Where Faith is the Cornerstone of Love™
www.WhiteRosePublishing.com
May God’s glory shine through
this inspirational work of fiction.
AMDG
