“But is it true? Are you madly in love with me?”
“That’s not the point.” He was drowning.
“It’s the only point. Do you love me or not?”
He looked into her eyes. He’d promised himself no more lies. “Yeah. Yeah, I do.”
Her eyes shone. “Then it’s settled. We’ll get married.”
“No, it’s not settled! Ally, think of what you’re saying! You’re on the brink of a new career. You need to be free to go where you want, do what you want. You don’t need a husband, and you sure don’t need me, a guy with nothing to offer you.”
She snatched up the letter. “Are you kidding? You have this to offer!” She shook it in his face. “No one, no one has ever done something like this for me. And you don’t even really want me to be a wildlife photographer!”
Mitch became aware that everyone in the Top Hat was staring at them. He lowered his voice. “I do, Ally. I want whatever makes you happy.”
“And that’s why we should get married!” She glared at him as if daring him to contradict her.
He ran a finger under his collar. “Maybe… maybe we should go somewhere else to discuss this.”
Betsy walked into his line of sight. “Don’t you even think about sneaking away to settle this. We’ve been watching things develop ever since you two got here. We’ve been a part of it so far, and we deserve to see how it’s going to come out.” She crossed her arms over her sizable chest as if that settled the matter.
Leaning forward, Ally smiled at Mitch. “It will all come out okay, right? You wouldn’t turn down my proposal and embarrass me in front of all these fine people, would you?”
“He’d better not,” Rudy said. “I like you, Mitch, but if you don’t do right by this lady, you’ll answer to me.”
Mitch found himself weakening fast. It seemed as if everyone in the room wanted the same thing, including him. But he still worried about the huge gap between his puny financial resources and her tremendous inheritance.
Her gaze searched his. “If it’s Alaska that bothers you, Mitch, just remember that warm weather is coming. And we’ll have to take trips back to Bel Air to check on the place. You won’t lose the sun and heat permanently.”
Clyde hooked an arm around Betsy’s waist. “And long nights have certain advantages.”
“Alaska’s not the problem,” Mitch said.
“You don’t love me?” Her composure began to crumble.
“No, no! I love you!” Boy, that really seemed to echo through the room.
Her smile returned. “Then it must be my freaking fortune.”
“That would be it.”
“You’re worried ‘cause she’s rich?” Rudy shook his head. “And I thought I was messed up, putting chickens ahead of Lurleen, but you’re worse. A rich woman falls in love with you and wants to get married, and you’re worried? You should be thanking your lucky stars!”
“Yeah,” Clyde said. “It’s not every day you get to marry for love and money. And Ally’s not the type to lord it over you. We can all see that.”
“I’ve heard enough.” Dave walked over to the table. “I came in on the last part of this, but I get the drift. Mitch, if you’re too chickenshit to marry this woman, then stand back, because there’s plenty of men in Porcupine who would love the chance.”
Suddenly Mitch got a picture he didn’t like at all. “Such as you?” he asked, remembering Dave’s maneuvers not so long ago.
“Well, no. Serena and I have come to an understanding, so I’m off the market. But that leaves plenty of others, guys who wouldn’t let their egos get in the way of a good thing.”
And that, Mitch realized, summed it up nicely. Dave might not be so good with a chain saw, but he’d certainly nailed this situation. Mitch stood and held out his hand. “Thank you, Dave, for pointing out that I’m a total geek.”
“You’re welcome.” Dave flashed his gleaming choppers. “Least I could do for the first person who bought one of my sculptures.”
“Mitch,” Ally protested. “You’re not a total geek.”
“Yeah, I am. I’m also crazy about you.” He dropped to one knee in front of her and took her hand in his. “Ally, will you marry me?”
Her grip tightened, and her green eyes glowed like the northern lights as she met his gaze. She took a deep breath. “Yes.”
And the crowd went wild.
Nerd Gone Wild Page 32