Page 69 of Sunset Tides
“You would’ve left me down there, too,” Chip added.
His friend thought on this for a moment. “Yeah, I would have.”
The table erupted into laughter and at that moment, Claire walked over and put her hands on Chip’s shoulders. “What’s so funny?”
He turned around, beaming up at her. “Everyone’s enjoying the fact that your boyfriend almost fell into a well.”
She let out atsk. “That’s awful!”
Chip stood and put his arm around her shoulders. “You know, the worst part of that story is having to use the word ‘boyfriend.’”
“Is it? Worse than falling in a well?”
“We’re too old for that word, don’t you think?”
In an instant, Chip dropped down to one knee and pulled a violet box from his pocket.
Lillian gasped, and everyone around them fell silent.
“Claire, I kept trying to plan the perfect night to do this, and all I learned is that I’m terrible at planning.”
She laughed, a hand over her mouth, but said nothing.
He continued. “Maybe there is no perfect moment, because who knows how long we have until the next terrible thing happens. But it doesn’t matter, because you’re perfect, and I know that no matter what life throws at us, we can handle anything together.”
Chip popped the box open. Inside was a brilliant, deep-blue sapphire set in a filigree ring.
Lillian could feel herself choking up. Clairelovedsapphires.
“I promise to stay away from all abandoned wells if you do me the honor of being my wife.”
There were tears in her eyes as she put both hands on his face. “Yes, of course!”
Chip slipped the ring onto her finger before standing and planting a kiss square on her lips.
Lillian stood with her mouth hanging open, too stunned to notice Lucy dropping into the seat next to her.
“They’re kissing,gross,” Lucy whispered.
Lillian turned and elbowed her in the ribs. “Stop!”
“I’m just kidding,” she said, beaming. “Let’s go tell Claire we’re happy to be her bridesmaids.”
They managed to break through the small crowd that had formed around Chip and Claire to congratulate them both.
“You girls aren’t upset?” Claire asked in a low voice.
“No!” Lillian couldn’t believe she’d even think that. “We are sohappy for you.”
“What about Rose? Do you think she’ll feel like – ”
“Rose will be thrilled,” Lillian said firmly. Of that she could be sure. She knew her twin sister better than anyone in the world.
“Yeah,” Lucy added. “You know, I’ve always thought Chip would make a great stepdad.”
Chip turned to her, still with that goofy smile on his face. “Why do I feel like an insult is lurking behind that comment?”
Lucy smiled and shook her head. “I’m not joking. You make Claire happy, and you even got her to the hospital. I respect that. Though I do expect more updates on her health in the future.”
