“I’m upset with Keenan’s temporary home.” She frowned. “They have three other foster children, and only appear to be interested in getting paid. I don’t believe they care about the kids at all.” She signed. “I’d quit my job and adopt him if I could, but I know the system well enough to know I’d never get approved.”
“Why not?” Jeff sat motionless.
“No visible means of support. Single. I understand the obstacles. The good news is that his leukemia is in remission. But he needs someone who really cares about him, and I do.” She stopped speaking and dragged a hand across her forehead. “Let’s change the subject. Are you happy with the conclusion of the Meeker case?”
“Strangely enough, Mel, no else has asked that question. Everyone seems to assume outmaneuvering Buffalo Nickel along with the fat bonus I’m sure to receive ought to put me on top of the world.” Jeff turned his water glass around several times. “Truth is, I’m not as satisfied as I expected to be.” He smiled at her. “My priorities seem to be changing.”
After pausing for the delivery of salads and bread, Jeff was uncertain how to continue their conversation. As the silence became uneasy, Melanie asked, “How are things with your father?”
“Good.” Jeff pushed salad greens around with his fork, suddenly uninterested in his food. “Better than I ever expected. I’m taking a day off next week so we can go fishing.”
“Oh, Jeff, that’s wonderful.”
Jeff nodded. “He’s a great guy. I’m enjoying getting to know him. Is your father still enthralled with his new romance?”
“You have no idea.” Melanie drew a deep breath. “He can’t seem to think about anything but his girlfriend. I’m glad he’s found someone after all these years, though.”
“Do you like her?”
Mel pressed her lips together for a moment before answering, “I’m learning to.”
Three servers bustled into the alcove, removing salad plates, refilling drink glasses, and presenting entrees in record time. “Let me know if you need anything else,” one said, as he released the tie-back from a heavy curtain to screen the couple from other customers.
“All right, Jeff.” Melanie said. “I suspected something was up when they seated us in this private area. Now the curtain? Something’s going on.” Her smile suggested more amusement than irritation.
“It’s your birthday.” Jeff slipped the tiny brocade bag from his pocket.
Melanie blinked twice. “You’re right. Today is April twentieth. I remembered it was coming up last week, but the actual date slipped up on me. We never did much celebrating on birthdays when I was growing up. And now…” She shrugged.
Jeff held out his hand. “I got you a present.”
“Earrings!” Mel exclaimed when the jewelry poured from the pouch into her palm. “How beautiful. Thank you, Jeff. I love these. They sparkle like real diamonds.” She held one to her ear.
“They are diamonds, darling. I want to buy you a ring to go with them, but thought you should choose the setting.”
“A ring?” Tears shone in Melanie’s eyes.
With one swift motion, Jeff knelt on one knee beside her. “Melanie, I love you with all my heart and always will. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy. Please say you’ll be my wife.”
“Oh, Jeff. You know I love you. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He stood, pulled her to him, and kissed her deeply. Sensing the need to breathe, he slightly loosened his grip around Mel. “I’ve asked a real estate agent friend of mine to stand by, in case you have time to go house shopping this afternoon.”
“Shouldn’t we plan the wedding first? I haven’t picked out a wedding gown yet. Or the bridesmaids’ dresses, or my shoes.”
Jeff grinned, took her hands in his, and began kissing the tips of her fingers. “The sooner we get married and find a house, the sooner we can start the process of adopting Keenan. If you want to, that is.”
“Oh, Jeff!” Melanie put her arms around his neck and hugged him with more strength than seemed possible for such a petite woman. “Of course I want to.” She looked up at him with tears streaming from her big blue eyes. “I’m marrying the most wonderful man in the world, and I know we’re going have an amazing life together.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carlene Havel writes Christian-themed romances and historical novels. She has lived in Turkey, Republic of the Philippines, and numerous US states. After a career in human resources and software development, she began writing in 2005. The Havels live in Texas, surrounded by their extended family.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Baron’s Blunder by Susan M. Baganz,
the next book in Prism’s Love Is series.
The sun blinded him, yet a flash in the distance caught his attention. Sure enough, another robbery of a coach by some land pirate. Not again. Disgusted, Lord Charles Percy urged his mount into a gallop as he drew his pistol and cocked it. He aimed and shot the gun out of the ruffian’s hand. The thief’s horse tossed the rider to the ground before racing away.
His own mount pulled up alongside the carriage, almost stepping on the bounder with his sharp hooves. He aimed the pistol.
“I didn’t mean to hurt no one. Don’t kill me,” the man groveled.
“Either I shoot you now or you hang tomorrow.”
The man scrambled to his feet and started to run but Charles was a crack shot and brought him down. Dismounting, he strode to where the fellow moaned on the ground and pushed him on to his back with one of Hoby’s finest boots. The filthy villain stared up at him, eyes wide with fear.
“Get up. I must march you to the magistrate since your horse has abandoned you.”
The man rose, clutching his bleeding arm. Grabbing him by the collar, Charles shoved him toward the road and wrapped the man’s wrists behind his back with rope from his saddle. He pushed the would-be thief to the ground. “Don’t move or I’ll shoot the other arm as well.”
How many of these blackguards had he caught recently? Five if his count was correct. It was as if God gave him a divine mandate to erase the countryside of the vermin. It wasn’t a role he cherished or sought.
He dismounted and strode to the carriage to discover the occupants now standing outside, watching. A beautiful debutante stood there, tapping her foot, obviously not impressed with his deeds of daring in rescuing her. He doffed his hat and bowed. “My ladies, Mr. Percy at your service.” Standing upright, his eyes met the sparkling coffee-colored gaze of a dazzling woman with golden silk hair and azure dress with darker blue pelisse. She extended her gloved hand to him. He accepted it and bowed over to place a kiss an inch above its surface.
“Your servant.” He took in the woman beside her dressed in a shocking shade of puce but with regal bearing. He took her hand and did the same.
“We are indebted to you, Mr. Percy.” The older woman’s narrowed gaze made him wonder if he’d erred.
“You are unharmed?”
A broad smile overtook the young woman’s face. “Thanks to you we are now safe.” A hint of sarcasm laced her words.
The older woman shook her head at the ingénue. “I am Lady Grey and this is my niece, the Honorable Henrietta Allendale. My charge was ready to dispatch the criminal with her pistol when you arrived, saving her from that distasteful act.”
“He saved the thief’s life. If I’d shot him, he’d be lying dead.” Miss Allendale’s chin rose a notch. The challenge in her tone was clear. She could have done better than him. Intriguing.
“Most distasteful and shocking display of vulgarity, my dear,” the older woman chided.
Charles’s eyebrow rose a fraction as he took in the younger woman and fought a grin. It wouldn’t do to encourage the girl. If memory served, this was Lord Remington’s sister. He was doubly glad he’d assumed his less prestigious moniker. While she intrigued him, most women her age had only one thing in mind—capturing a wealthy, titled gentleman.
And this gentleman was not willing to be ca
ught.
“I’m sorry I failed you by keeping him alive, my lady. I often opt to let the law or God decide in matters of life and death and do not seek to play that role myself lest I tarnish my soul.”
“A believer, then?” the older woman asked.
“Aye, that I am. May I assist you back to your carriage so you can safely resume your journey? I’ll ensure this man is dealt with by the local constable.”
He stood and helped Lady Grey in before turning to Miss Allendale. She put her hand in his and she leaned forward to whisper. “I know not what game you play, sir, but you, my lord, are no mere mister.” She entered the carriage and their eyes met. He swallowed hard and finally released a grin. Marcus once described his sister as wily and astute. He did not envy his old classmate the chore of corralling this young filly. He strode to his horse and chuckled. She’d probably’ve rapped his knuckles soundly for such a comparison if she’d heard it.
“Wat you laughin’ at?” the criminal asked.
“My own amusing thoughts.” He lifted the man to his feet. “Come now, lead the way and remember, my finger has an itch.”
The frown on the man led him to believe that perhaps this one would actually listen and keep him from firing his weapon again. Rounding up criminals was a tedious business, but at least today it won him the opportunity to meet a woman who might just be his match. He’d enjoy sparring with her again.
If only he could keep her from people who knew his title. She might take him in disgust then. Not that it mattered. He wasn’t in any danger of losing his heart or his head.
The sun hid behind a cloud giving some relief from the heat of the day as he walked his criminal to the next village. He could hardly wait to be done and get to London to meet the Honorable Henrietta Allendale once more.
Baron’s Blunder will release August 2016.
Visit www.prismbookgroup.com for more information.
If you’ve enjoyed this novel, please consider leaving the author a review. Your thoughts and feedback are very much appreciated.
Thank you for your Prism Book Group purchase! Visit our website to enjoy free reads, great deals, and entertaining, wholesome fiction!
http://www.prismbookgroup.com
Evidence Not Seen (Love Is Book 9) Page 9