He pulled out a jewelry box, not a ring box but something long and white. “Oh, Malcolm,” I said, feeling panic rise up in me because now I had no idea what he was thinking. “Really, you don’t need to do this. It’s all been more than enough without that, too.”
A smile touched his lips and lit his eyes with wry amusement. “I believe it’s customary to give your girlfriend a gift for her birthday.”
I gaped at him. “It’s not my birthday. That’s on Saturday.”
“True, but I thought two elaborate celebrations in one week would be anticlimactic.” He pushed the box toward me. “Open it.”
Stunned, I took the box and opened it. Inside lay a perfect diamond solitaire pendant hanging from a gold chain. It was less than a carat in size, not too big, and the gold warmed it to something other than a chip of faceted ice. “Oh,” I said, and couldn’t find any more words.
“Simple. Classic. Perfect for you,” Malcolm said quietly.
I lifted it out of the box and held it up to the light. It caught the flickering candlelight and threw off a million shattered rainbows. “Malcolm,” I said.
“You don’t like it.”
“I love it. It’s perfect. How did you—”
“I guessed you’d be uncomfortable with anything huge. If you want, this is something you could wear every day.”
The stone blurred in my vision briefly. “Help me put it on,” I said, and Malcolm came around and settled the chain gently around my neck as I lifted my hair out of the way. He sat down, and a broad smile creased his face.
“It is perfect,” he said. “So…you do like it, yes?”
I caught the older woman nudging her dining partner, who now seemed uninterested in us. “I do.” I felt so relieved I thought I might fly away. I laughed, hoping I didn’t sound manic, and pointed discreetly. “Though that woman’s disappointed. I think she thought you were going to propose.”
Malcolm’s eyebrows raised. “Did she?” He looked at me more closely. “And so did you. Are you disappointed, or relieved?”
I blushed so hard I was sure my face matched my dress. “Malcolm—”
“I thought about it. I almost did.” Malcolm leaned forward over the remains of our meal. “But you’re not ready.”
“No. I’m not. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He reached out and took my hand. “Helena,” he said, “someday, I will ask you to marry me, and when I do, it will be the right time. For both of us. Until then—I love you, and I want to share your life as much as you’ll let me. And that’s more than enough.”
My heart felt full to bursting with joy. “I love you,” I said. “Let’s go home.”
Helena’s Movie List
Movies referenced in this book include:
The African Queen
The Thin Man
The Philadelphia Story
My Man Godfrey
Notorious
Hollow Triumph (The Scar)
Vertigo
Black Narcissus
The Matrix
To Kill a Mockingbird
Acknowledgments
Though I was born in Portland, I haven’t lived there for many years, and this book required a flying trip over Labor Day weekend to scout locations. All real places appearing in this book have been fictionalized, but I appreciate the kindness of those individuals who allowed me to “borrow” homes and businesses. Abernathy’s location, as always, remains undefined to protect the mystery.
Thanks go to Megan Breedlove, who helped me with Chapter Two. Any mistakes in EMT procedure are mine alone.
I’d also like to thank the usual suspects, Jacob Proffitt, Jana Brown, and Hallie O’Donovan, for being willing to read this in beta and provide excellent feedback.
About the Author
In addition to The Last Oracle series, Melissa McShane is the author of more than twenty-five fantasy novels, including the novels of Tremontane, the first of which is Servant of the Crown; The Extraordinaries series, beginning with Burning Bright; and Company of Strangers, first book in the series of the same name.
She lives in the shelter of the mountains out West with her husband, four children and a niece, and three very needy cats. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, which is much more fun than anyone ought to be allowed to have.
You can visit her at her website www.melissamcshanewrites.com for more information on other books and upcoming releases.
For news on upcoming releases, bonus material, and other fun stuff, sign up for Melissa’s newsletter at http://eepurl.com/brannP
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