Page 2 of A Family Affair: The Ring
Will grinned, eased away and opened the drawer of the nightstand where he’d hidden the velvet case a few hours ago.He pulled it out, flipped open the lid, and watched Melanie’s expression as she took in the solitary diamond winking from the satin pillow.It would take him months to pay it off, but what did it matter when he was making a lifetime commitment?And besides, Melanie was worth so much more.He cleared his throat, put sound to the emotion that had lived in his heart for so long.“Will you marry me, Melanie Eliza Russell?Walk through this life with me, share the good, the bad, the dogs and children, love and heartache and all the joy that’s meant for us?”
One tear fell, then two, followed by a breathless, “Yes, absolutely yes!”
Years later, Will would wonder what might have happened if he hadn’t booked the fancy hotel in Renova that night but had driven straight to Magdalena.Would life have turned out differently or would the result have been the same, delayed by a few months, maybe a year or two?He’d pondered this question, considered the various possibilities and outcomes, but always ended up in the same place—nowhere, with no answers.All he had to work with was whatdidhappen and the disaster that followed.But on that last night, they were a couple in love, sharing their bodies, their dreams, their hearts.
Life was finally taking shape and this time next year, they’d be married.
That was the plan.
Will eased out of bed, popped open the champagne that had been chilling in a bucket of ice, and poured two glasses.“Small wedding or big one?”
“Small.What do you think?”
He slid her a smile, handed her a glass of champagne and climbed back into bed.“Very small.”
“Location?”Melanie clinked her glass against his, her engagement ring sparkling on her left finger.
A shrug, a soft “I don’t care as long as you’re there.”Talk about sappy and ridiculous, but he meant it and the brightness in those hazel eyes said she liked his answer.
“Maybe a backyard ceremony?That way we could keep the cost down.”
“I’m okay with that.I don’t think we should expect your parents to help.It’s been hard enough for your dad since the layoff, and I don’t want to add pressure.”Ward Russell had been out of work for six months from the insurance company.Downsizing the middleman was what they called it and it had been brutal on the poor guy and had torched his self-esteem.
“Actually, I like the idea of an intimate gathering.”She sipped her champagne, trailed a hand along his arm.“What more do I need than you?”
“Well...”Will reached into the bedside drawer and removed a bakery box with a red bow.“I’m pretty sure these are on the top of your can’t-live-without list.”He handed her the box, watched as she untied the bow, opened the lid.
“You’re right.”She eased a dark chocolate-covered strawberry from the box, bit into it, sighed.“These are in second position.”Pause and a slow smile.“You’rein first.”
“I like the sound of that.”He traced the engagement ring, brought her hand to his lips and kissed each finger.“This is so much better than helping my old man untangle Christmas lights and listening to Johnny MathisI’ll be home for Christmas.”Joe Callahan had no patience for tedious jobs or tedious people and avoided both, preferring to pass off tasks he found boring or mundane.Will was usually the recipient of such tasks, but he didn’t mind.In fact, if it made his father less agitated and grumpy, he’d even offer totake downthe tree before he headed back to school.Not what he wanted to do, and his mother wouldn’t be thrilled with dismantling the house before New Year’s, but if it kept the man out of one of his moods?Definitely worth it.
“Let’s not think about tomorrow or the Christmas obligations waiting for us.Tonight, there’s just you and me.”She leaned toward him, brushed her lips over his.“That’s all I want, just you and me.”
There was no talking after that, nothing but touching, kissing, and making love.He and Melanie connected in a way he hadn’t known existed and it had begun with talking and sharing, two areas he didn’t usually offer up easily.But with her, it was natural, peaceful, real, because Melanie was real.She accepted him for who he was,notwho she wanted him to be.
A guy couldn’t ask for more than that.
Tomorrow was soon enough to announce their engagement and brace for the questionsandthe opinions.As Will drifted off to sleep with Melanie tucked against his side, those opinions crowded his brain, fought to be heard.
When’s the wedding?
Where will you live?And of course, his mother would toss out more personal comments likeHave you discussed children?I’ve always wanted to be a grandmother.
Why do you want to give up your freedom?No doubt that would be his sister’s first question.
As for his father, it depended on his mood, but either way he’d mutter something aboutforever is a long timeormake sure she’s the one.
Melanie’s parents, Susannah and Ward Russell, wouldn’t be so obvious with their questions or their opinions.They’d act happy, excited, and polite.If they weren’t thrilled with the idea of their daughter getting engaged while she was still in college, they’d havethatconversation in private.Not in front of non-family members, even if those individuals would one day be related.
The questions and comments from Will’s family wouldn’t stop.Of course, they would all mean well, and if they offered suggestions, they’d insist it wasfor his benefit.His sister would be in town, five years older, independent with a lot of opinions—all focused on making a way for herself and not needing a man to define her.Whatever.Melanie would never need a man for her identity, but he didn’t expect his sister to understandoraccept the possibility that maybe a couple reallydidwant to share their life, and maybe it was because they loved each other.Nope, Wendy wouldn’t be interested in those words or that possibility.
No doubt some guy burned her and now she detestedallguys.Not that he would know because Wendy loved to pretend her life was great and she didn’t need or want anyone.Fine, maybe she didn’t, but she wasn’t going to ruin his happiness.
Nobody was going to come between Will and Melanie and the life they had planned.
Late the next morning, they packed their bags and headed toward the elevator, hand in hand.He didn’t miss the way she kept glancing at her ring, moving her hand under the lights to make the diamond sparkle.“That ring looks good on you.”He was glad he hadn’t skimped on the size or the price.How could you place a price tag on forever?
She lifted her hand, waved it under the hallway lights.“I love it.”Melanie stopped in the middle of the hallway, eyes bright, voice soft.“Thank you.”
