Page 59 of Blueberry Cake
“She will be taken care of. There won’t be a single day that she’ll have to worry about the roof over her head or food on the table. I will protect and love her for the rest of my life.”
Camila smiled, tears swirling in her eyes.
“Should your feelings ever change, I need you to return her to us safe and sound,” Christopher insisted.
“I will. If tides change and my heart no longer belongs to her, I promise she’ll return to you without harm.”
Camila shot to her feet, returning with a small box in her hands. “This was the ring Christopher proposed to me with. We don’t have a son, so I always hoped that one day, Queenie would be blessed enough to wear it.”
Boyd took the box with shaking hands. Inside was amodest solitaire diamond nestled on a gold band. When Camila saw him quivering, she laid her hands over his. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We are happy she met a wonderful man in you.”
“My mother gave me my grandmother’s ring as well. If it’s okay with you, why don’t I have a new one crafted from both?”
“That is a wonderful idea.”
“I take it permission’s already been granted,” Christopher grumbled.
Camila pinned her husband with a stern glare. “You and I both know we just want our daughter happy. Give them your blessing.”
Christopher sighed and then nodded. “I guess that would be okay.”
“Thank you.”
Camila insisted on that tea and with his stomach a bit more settled, Boyd happily accepted.
The next day, he met up with Oliver and Archie for lunch. They’d known something was up immediately but didn’t press when he insisted on talking in person.
“So what the hell is so important?” Oliver asked the second Boyd sat down next to Archie.
Archie looked up at him feigning offence. “Hello to you too.”
“You’re irrelevant right now. Whatisimportant, is our big old softy over there looking like a teenage boy going on his first date. So what’s going on? Is Queenie’s dad sittingin a corner somewhere polishing his rifle?”
“I’m going to propose to Queenie,” Boyd blurted.
“Fuck yes!” Oliver cheered, complete with fists in the air. “Finally, time you got on one knee.”
He rolled his eyes but grinned, happy to see both Oliver and Archie visibly excited. “We only met a few months ago.”
“You were a dating grave for years before that.”
Archie grinned from ear to ear. “You two are perfect for each other.”
“Is she suspicious?”
“Not at all. Unless anyone lets the cat out of the bag before I can get to it myself.”
“Who have you told?” Archie asked.
“Her parents, along with Mom and Luka.”
“Seeing as you’re going forward, I assume there haven’t been any riots.”
“Everyone’s been more than receptive. I’ve taken both her mother’s and my grandma’s ring to the jeweller hoping he can combine them.”
“Such a romantic.” Despite his teasing, Oliver’s eyes sparkled.
