by A M Jenner
“What happened then?” Derrek prompted her, his eyes alight.
Marilee told them the rest of what had happened, making as light of it as she could for Derrek’s sake, but the terror of it was still lurking within her; she shuddered slightly even now.
Richard must have seen the shudder because he reached out and laid his hand on her arm.
Derrek, put both his skinny arms around her and hugged her tightly once more, his face buried against her. A muffled, “I’m glad they didn’t hurt you!” floated up from between them.
Marilee kissed the top of his head once more. “I’m fine, Derrek,” she said.
“What happens now?” Richard’s voice softly intruded on the quiet moment.
Marilee looked up at him and realized he questioned both the legal process with Tony and where they’d be going with their relationship.
“As far as Tony and his thugs are concerned, I’ll go back and testify at the trial. When everything is finished there, I’ve decided to sell the house and move here, permanently.”
Marilee searched Richard’s features, trying to determine where he wanted their relationship to go.
“Will you still be his wife, even if he’s in jail?” Derrek’s question reminded her he was still nearby. She looked down into his earnest face.
“No, Derrek. On Monday, I’ll find a lawyer here and begin the process for a divorce. Goodness knows I have grounds for one!” She smiled lightly at him.
“When the divorce is all over with, then can you marry Dad?”
Marilee heard Richard’s quick intake of breath, but before she could answer, Richard spoke, exasperation in his tone.
“Son, I’ve told you before to stay out of this. I haven’t asked her to marry me, and I don’t even know if she’ll have me…us. You see, we’re a package deal, and not everyone would want to be saddled with so much of a package.” He looked at her now, and she could see the love in his eyes.
Marilee looking at him, realized he was as uncertain of her as she was of him. Having understood during this past two weeks how much this man and this boy meant to her, she was willing to risk rejection if she was wrong about his feelings.
“I sort of like package deals,” she said, smiling up into Richard’s incredible green eyes.
“Even if part of the package is a little dog-eared around the edges?” His mouth smiled, but his eyes were pleading.
“I do believe so.” Her smile widened a little. “However, I don’t know if you’ll be interested in a person with a shady past, and who is only a dumb blonde to some people. What do you think?” Her voice was pleading now as much as his eyes were moments ago.
Derrek, always impatient, said, “Well, Dad, ask her now! If she says yes, then this part of the package will suggest we all go out for pizza! Wadda ya say?”
Richard and Marilee laughed, and then Richard reached for her, folding his arms around her once more and smiling down into her face.
“Well, I don’t know if this is the right romantic setting. We’re standing here on the sidewalk, and my son is listening with both ears, but I don’t think we dare let him starve to death while we wait for a better time and place. So, my lovely Marilee Curtice…whatever, put us all out of misery so we can go and get pizza. Will you marry me?” Richard’s eyes were glowing with his humor.
“Well, I don’t think I could stand ‘death by starvation’ on my conscience. I’ll also admit to being very hungry for pizza. If you don’t mind waiting until I’m free, then I’ll definitely marry you…and Derrek…and become part of this package. There’s just one little thing.” Her voice was serious, but she scrunched her face with her own brand of humor and a little mischief thrown in.
“What?” Richard and Derrek answered at the same time, nervousness that she could hear in both of their voices.
“We’ll need a bigger house, so we can have a huge library for all my books and all your reference books about those ‘football cheatin’ cheetahs!”
Laughter in three shades floated through the air as they broke apart and climbed into Richard’s truck heading for Derrek’s favorite pizza parlor.
“Hey, Marilee,” Derrek said, suddenly. “Who gets to keep the stolen diamonds?”
“Well, the authorities are trying to find out who they belong to. But I have my own idea,” she said, looking from one to the other. “I think I’ll trade in the stolen diamonds and replace them with real diamonds…diamonds of your love that fill my heart.”
Books by A M Jenner
Deadly Gamble
A Heart Full of Diamonds
Inherit my Heart
Clues to Food (a cook book)
Bits and Bites (an anthology)
About the Author
A M Jenner is a mother and grandmother who lives in Gilbert, Arizona with her family, a car named “Grey Ghost”, and around 5,000 books. A self-professed hermit, she loves interacting with her fans online, and was last seen entering the library.
Connect with me online:
Website: www.electric-scroll.com
Blog: electric-scroll.blogspot.com
Email: mailto:[email protected]
Facebook: Author A M Jenner
Twitter: @AM_Jenner
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