It was the house. The house I’ve coveted since I was thirteen. It had been for sale a couple of times while I was growing up, and I’d begged my parents to buy it, but they loved our house and were perfectly happy in it. I’d even named the house after one I’d read about during my regency romance phase. I gripped Sean’s arm. “It’s Thorneberry!”
He looked over at me and took my hand. “I know.”
I was confused. “But how? How did you know about it? It’s one of the few things I haven’t told you about.” It had gradually faded from my thoughts until now.
“I talked to your parents. I told them what I was planning. They knew this house was for sale. They told me how much you’ve always wanted it, so presto, here you are.”
I burst into tears. I was the luckiest woman on the planet. I could not love this man more. How could my life get more perfect?
Sean took my hand. “I hope those are tears of happiness.”
“They are. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I love you so much. You have no idea.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “Yeah, I do. Hold your tears. I’m not done, yet.”
My heart pounded. “I don’t know if I can take anymore. How are you going to top this?”
“I hope I can. Come on, let’s let the dogs out to run around for a few minutes, then we’ll go inside.”
After they romped and explored as far as Sean would let them go, we went into the house through the screened in porch. “This is the dining room,” he announced.
I looked around. It was a beautiful large room with gleaming hardwood floors, and a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The walls were painted a sage green, which I loved. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
“I’m glad you approve. Come on, let’s go into the living room.”
The living room was painted in a pale blue-gray, which I also loved. Sean had done a marvelous job. There was a brick fireplace to the left of the front door and I noticed he had mounted a wooden sign that read Thorneberry on it.
Tears pricked my eyes and my knees felt weak. “You thought of everything, didn’t you? I can’t believe you did all this and I never had a clue.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “It wasn’t easy, babe, believe me, but I’m glad it worked. What do you think of the colors so far?”
“I wouldn’t change a thing. You have wonderful taste.
“Thanks! I must get it from my mother and aunts. Let’s go upstairs. I’ll let you lead the way. I haven’t done anything up there yet, I figured you and I could work on it together.”
There were four huge bedrooms and a large bathroom upstairs. As Sean told me, they hadn’t been touched yet, but they all had potential. I couldn’t wait to work on them with him, and I knew I’d treasure the window seat in the master bedroom.
“That’s the tour, except for the basement,” Sean said as we made our way back down to the living room. “But unless you have a burning desire to see the boiler, cobwebs, and assorted old, dirty tools, we can skip it. I do plan to clean it up. It’s pretty grungy at the moment.”
“I’ll pass. What about the kitchen?”
He cleared his throat and swiped a hand through his short hair making it spike up all over. The man was simply adorable. He took my hand. “Yeah, that’s next. Before we go in …”
“I want to see!” I pulled on his hand, but he didn’t budge. “It can’t be that bad. Please do not tell me it’s worse than the bathroom upstairs. Now that needs some work. But I do love the window looking out toward the lake and I even love the green and pink tiles; sort of like the bathrooms in our apartments. I hope we’re keeping the tiles as is.
“It just needs some serious cleaning and it will be good as new.” I waved my hands around as I jabbered on, narrowly missing hitting Sean on the head. “I hate when people rip out all the tile and all you’re left with is white walls, white tub, white—”
“Shhh.” He placed an index finger gently against my lips then caressed the side of my cheek. “Stop talking for a minute.” He took my face in his hands. His brown eyes softened to the color of melted milk chocolate again. If I’d known discussing a bathroom would have such an effect on him. I would’ve done it sooner, and more often.
“I know our relationship progressed quickly, and I don’t want to rush you into anything, but Molly Aoibheann Tyler, will you marry me?”
CHAPTER 35
* * *
I suppose asking your love interest to marry you is one way to make them stop talking. It worked on this woman. Stunned doesn’t accurately describe my feelings. I knew Sean was special when he was able to pronounce my middle name correctly with no coaching, and during our time together, he’s proved just how special over and over. I’m not lying when I say time actually did stand still. I’m not usually a fainter, but I saw a little misty haze in front of my eyes. I had absolutely no idea what we’d just been discussing. I barely knew where we were. All I heard in my head were the words the man I adored more than anything had just uttered.
In the movies, this is where the woman flies into said man’s arms, and covers him with kisses while trying not to cry, so that her mascara doesn’t run in rivulets down her face. Me? I stood there, frozen as a fish stick, staring at Sean as if he’d just asked me to take a mud bath with a pack of pigs, or, whatever a small gathering of pigs is called.
“Babe? Are you okay? Did you hear me?”
I stared into his eyes. “I did.” The haze was tears in my eyes, thankfully, sans mascara. “I’m fine. I’m just . . . amazed…shocked. I never expected this. I mean not this minute. I was so wrapped up in the house, and thinking about all the possibilities for it, and how excited Beau and Noelle will be to have a brother or sister, or both, and how we can make a little beach down by the lake. I never thought you were going to propose.”
I looked down, gesturing at my legs. “Look at me with jeans and one of your old police academy t-shirts on, my hair’s a mess. I don’t have makeup on. I didn’t want to look like this when you proposed. If you did propose, I mean. Not that you have to right now. But if you did, I pictured it happening in a nice restaurant, with romantic music playing.”
“Shhh.” Sean placed his hands on either side of my face again. “Pfft. Anyone can propose in a restaurant. Where’s the romance in that? This house is where our life together is starting. There is no better place to ask you to be my wife. And you look beautiful. You don’t need makeup. You’re always beautiful to me. You’ll be beautiful to me when we’re in our nineties and sitting on our porch swing. Now woman, what’s your answer? Will you marry me or not? Because if not, then—”
“Detective Sean Corsino, of course I’ll marry you. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, through murders, and whatever else comes along.” I threw my arms around his neck. “I love you so very much. You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world. And you’re right, this was the perfect place.”
Beau and Noelle barked and pranced around us. They were evidently very happy for our little family.
But my handsome, tough, brilliant, sensitive, and romantic fiancé wasn’t finished yet. “Since I got a yes out of you….” I watched, my heart hammering again, as he dug around in his pocket, pulled out a fancy square, black velvet box, and flipped it open. Tears filled my eyes again. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect proposal. A brilliant princess diamond glittered up at me. He took my left hand and slipped it on. Perfect fit! At least my nails, painted in a warm nude pink, were in great shape.
“Is it okay? You love it?” He looked worried, as if there were a chance in the universe that I might throw the ring back at him and tear out the door, screaming. Or something like that.
“Are you crazy? It’s better than okay. Yes, I most certainly do love it. It’s gorgeous. Just like you. You’ve given me the most picture-perfect day in my life. I’ll never forget it, Sean.”
He pulled me in close. “Me neither, Molly.” We kissed until the dogs got impatient
with us and began howling for attention. They hated being left out.
I knelt down and pulled them to me, inhaled their doggy scent, and kissed them, giddy with excitement, until they wiggled out of my grip on them. I looked up at Sean. “We have to call our parents! And Anthony. I can’t wait to tell Olivia, Kendra, and Emily and my book club women. Oh, and Serafina, too! They’re all going to be so excited for us! Especially my mother, I think she’s been planning on this since the second she knew we were an item.”
He squatted. “Hey babe, what about if we enjoy this between us for today? We’ll tell everyone tomorrow.”
I met his eyes. “Underneath that rough, tough, hard, don’t-mess-with-me cop exterior, you’re a romantic at heart.”
He made a feeble attempt at a scowl. “Just don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation.”
“Your secret is safe with me. I rather like being the only one who sees this side of you.” I liked being the only one who saw lots of sides of him.
“What about chickens?” he asked.
“Chickens?” Was he thinking of dinner at a romantic time like this?
“Yeah. I always wanted to raise chickens. Henrietta and Mike.”
This was something new in the landscape of our relationship. “Henrietta and Mike?”
“Those are the names I picked out,” he explained, looking pleased with himself. “Of course, we’ll need more names, as we get more chickens, but we’ll think of something. You don’t need a male rooster for the hens to produce eggs, but we should have one. They’re pretty, he’ll protect the flock, break up hen fights, and find and give treats to his girls.”
Hen fights? I pictured two hens facing off with each other, both wearing cute little aprons with rolling pins in their hands…er… wings. “I see you’ve given this some serious thought. How big is our ‘flock’ going to be?”
“Oh, maybe five or six. But come on, I want to show you the kitchen and outside. Chickens we can discuss later.”
And I was sure we would. I had no idea my city guy was enamored of chickens, or even knew anything about them. I could get on board with that, as long as he wasn’t planning on killing and eating them. After all, once you name an animal, they automatically become a family member. Could he melt my heart any more than he had already?
We proceeded to the kitchen, then out to the yard, and down by the lake, but I honestly cannot remember one detail about any of it to share!
Early the next morning, I was busy with bagels and restocking cups and spoons, and other mundane bakery business when Olivia and Kendra arrived a little before six a.m. to help me with customers who came in at six on the dot during the weekdays.
It was Kendra who noticed first when we finally had a break in the crowd at around nine-thirty. “WHAT is that on your finger?” she squealed. “Are you ENGAGED?”
If my smile grew any larger, I’d have painful cramps in my cheeks. “Very engaged.”
“Oh my gosh!! It’s simply beautiful! Olivia! Come out front! OLIVIA!!!”
I covered my ears. “Good heavens, child. You don’t have to scream bloody murder! I think people two blocks away heard you.”
“Sorry,” she whispered, not looking sorry at all.
“You’re engaged? Is that what Kendra said?” Olivia hurried out from the back of the bakery and took my left hand in her right one. “It’s beautiful! Oh my gosh!” she echoed Kendra, thankfully not at the same volume, and threw her arms around me. “Molly, I am thrilled for you!! Get out. I can’t believe it. Engaged!”
“I want to hug her, too,” said Kendra. Olivia stepped aside so she could. “When? How did he ask you? Tell us everything he said. Was it over-the-top romantic?”
I laughed. “It was. He asked me yesterday. In the house he bought for us.”
“He bought you a house?” Olivia and Kendra screamed at the same time.
“Shhh. Yes. Liv, remember that house on the lake I loved when I was in my teens?”
She rolled her eyes. “How could I forget? That’s all you talked about for a while. That’s the one he bought?”
“Yes. The red-headed woman that he was keeping company with? His realtor. She helped pick paint and gave him decorating pointers.
“Well, I’m glad that that mystery’s solved, too!” Olivia exclaimed. “How come you didn’t tell me yesterday?”
“Or me?” added Kendra.
“We wanted to enjoy the moment between ourselves before we told anyone.”
“That makes sense,” agreed Kendra. “You have to go tell Emily when the bookstore opens. What about your parents?”
“And if Serafina’s in I have to tell her, too. We’re telling our parents tonight, so if my mom, or dad, comes in not a word! And,” I looked pointedly at Olivia, “not a word to Anthony. We’re telling him tonight, too.”
“I promise! Oh,” she squealed, “this is so thrilling! I am so happy for you guys.”
“We’ll throw you the best wedding shower, won’t we Liv?” Kendra asked, bouncing up and down on her toes. “I’m soooo excited!”
“Of course, we will. And I’ll handle the wedding cake myself. I can’t wait to work on it. Did you set a date?”
“Come to think of it, we didn’t get around to that. I’m sure we will.”
I planned to ask Olivia to be my maid of honor and Kendra to be my bridesmaid, but not now. Customers were arriving once again, amused at our gleeful little celebration, and we had to take care of them. It was both Sean’s and my second wedding, but I wanted it to be special nonetheless, with all the trimmings.
I was worn out when I left Bread and Batter at four-thirty. I’d made some devil’s food cupcakes with vanilla bean icing for Dottie. She adores them. I’d deliver them when I got home.
“My favorites! Don’t tell me you made all those for me? What’s the special occasion?” she asked, looking with approval at the cupcakes I held as I followed her into the living room.
Despite still being on my little cloud of joy about Sean and Thorneberry I hated telling her we were eventually leaving. I hoped that she and Ed would decide to tie the knot as well. They were so good for each other.
“Sean asked me to marry him yesterday.”
Her mouth fell open then she quickly recovered. “Oh my! Well, that is good news, isn’t it? I am so delighted for both of you. Come here, let me give you a hug.” She set the cupcakes down on her coffee table. “This is wonderful. I knew he would, I just knew it! Did you set a date?
“Not yet. Tonight, we’re telling our parents.”
“This is so exciting.” She laid her hand on her chest and closed her eyes. “So romantic.” Her eyes fluttered open. “Will you be moving into his apartment, or will he be moving into yours?”
“He bought a house, right on the lake. It still needs some work, and I don’t want to move in until we’re married, so it will be a while.”
She pulled a tissue out of her apron pocket and blew her nose delicately. “What will I do without you two, and Beau and Noelle?”
“Dottie, don’t cry. We aren’t moving right away and don’t think we won’t visit and of course we’ll have you over. Ed, too. It’s not like you won’t see us. We need your lemonade ice tea at Bread and Batter, don’t forget. You can still look after Beau and Noelle. And look how happy you are with Ed in your life. How come you haven’t asked him to move in?”
She swatted at me and blushed. “Stop. You know I don’t approve of living with a man before marriage. Although, I may let him move in as soon as he proposes. I can’t be too prudy, someone else is libel to snatch him away from me. He’ll stay in his own bedroom of course.”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and gave her a hug. “You think he’s going to propose? Oh, Dottie, that’s so exciting.”
She tried to remain stoic, but failed. Her eyes sparkled. “He’s dropped some hints here and there. Of course, I pretend to not hear them. He’s got to ask me to marry him properly and romantically, not hint around like some bumbling, scaredy cat
. Oh, you sweet woman, how I’m going to miss you and Sean, that handsome devil.” She hugged me again. “You two were the best tenants ever. It’s going to be awful living here without you. Am I invited to the wedding?”
I rolled my eyes at her. “Honestly, Dottie, what kind of question is that? You and Ed are both invited.”
She sniffed. “I thought we would be, but I didn’t want to be presumptuous.”
I gave her shoulder another squeeze. “Your invitation will be the first on the pile when I do them. How’s that?”
“Just as long as I’m in the pile. I don’t care where,” she declared.
After I’d said goodbye to Dottie, I went back upstairs and settled back on the sofa, a dog on each side of me. I sighed in complete contentment. When Sean got home, we’d make our phone calls and announce our big news. My ring glittered in the sunlight streaming through the living room window.
It Cannoli Be Murder Page 25