Page 88 of Tolerable

“You can put your arm around me now.” I take this as an invitation and pull Lettie close to me. No matter how much time we have together, it never feels like enough. This moment alone is so welcome after the busyness of the party. Above us, the branches quiver with the bees’ riotous buzzing.

“You wouldn’t believe what your Aunt Kate said.”

“I stopped being shocked by what she says years ago.”

“I’m still adjusting.” Lettie looks adorable in a white sundress and yellow sneakers. She told me earlier that Caroline had found the dress for her. The unlikely friendship between Caroline and Lettie is just one of the many happy surprises of the last few months. “I overheard your aunt telling Fiona that she inspired me to start my writing career.”

“Seriously?” I ask.

“Yes, according to your aunt, I was on the verge of giving up my writing last winter when she gave me a much-needed pep talk. ‘Don’t be foolish, girl.’” Lettie gives a fair imitation of my aunt’s voice. “‘If I can be a surgeon, you can write a book.’”

“Do you think Fiona believed her?” I ask. We walk hand in hand, slowly under clouds of trembling blossoms, petals leisurely fall upon us.

“I don’t know. I didn’t bother correcting her. You know... ” She looks over at me with teasing eyes. “I’m angling for those diamonds.”

“You’d have to marry me to be in the running.” Crap! I said that without thinking. I’ve been so careful not to mention marriage around Lettie. I don’t want to scare her off.

“Like I said... ” She catches my eye, and there’s no mistaking her intent. She’s kidding, but she’s not. She’s gently testing the idea with me. Up until now, I’ve never broached the topic. Even if I can’t stop dreaming about spending the rest of my life with her. I even have a ring, my great-grandma’s saphire engagement ring. Lettie saw my mom wearing it a few weeks ago and couldn’t stop admiring it. That night, I asked my mom for the ring. She gave it to me happily.

Her former concerns about Lettie are distant memories. So much so that my mom’s already casually looking for her own place. “Because your wife won’t want to live with her mother-in-law,” she explains. “And you’ll need room for all my grandbabies.” I roll my eyes and protest whenever she says this. But I’m glad she’s on board with Lettie.

I had the ring cleaned and repaired last week. But it’s far too soon to propose, I think. Also, Lettie is a romance writer, and she deserves an epic, romantic proposal. But then again... she likes surprises.

“Lettie, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Um . . . well . . . what do you think I’m saying.” She sounds slightly less confident.

“That you want to marry me?”

“Well, I would like to,” she says with gathering assurance. “I’m not sure how long I can live without Fitz.” Hearing his name, my dog ambles over to Lettie for some pets.

“Good to know,” I say. We stroll a little farther in silence.

“So? What do you think?” she asks tentatively. “About, you know... the whole marrying me thing.”

“I don’t know... you once told me you leave dishes in the sink.” Lettie gives me an aggrieved look.

“You’re the worst,” she says with good humor. She strides ahead and busies herself, snapping photos of almond blossoms against the pink sky. I follow her slowly, gathering my thoughts. Fitz darts after a rabbit. I call him back. He returns and sits beside me. I kneel down on the petal-strewn ground and scratch his head. I slip my hand into my suit coat pocket and pull out the brown velvet ring box. It feels heavy in my palm. Before I can overthink it, Fitz, always the best wingman, barks, getting Lettie’s attention. She whirls around.

“Liam?” She notes that I’m on one knee, holding a ring box. “What is this?” Her expressive eyes flash from surprise to stunned joy. “You’re proposing?” She asks, her voice unsteady, her eyes shining. She steps toward me.

“You asked if I wanted to marry you.” My hand holding the box shakes slightly. “This is my answer.” Still down on one knee, I open the jewelry case. My grandmother’s sapphire glints in the low rays of evening light. “Violet Helena Benson, I love you with my whole heart. Will you marry me?”

She takes the box. And slips the ring on her finger. “Yes, Liam!” She admires her hand. Then whispers, “The ring? How did you know? I really wanted this.”

“Me or the ring?” I ask with a smile.

“Both.” She tugs my hand. “Get up here.” I stand up, dusting petals off my jeans.

She places her hands on my shoulders. “I love you, Liam Darcy,” she whispers, leaning in, her breath warm and sweet across my mouth. She kisses me. I answer her kiss for kiss, wrapping my arms around her. “We will be happy,” she murmurs as I pull her closer.

“We will,” I whisper back. And I know deep in my soul that this is true.

“Liam.” She rests her head on my chest and sighs. “That was my dream proposal. Good call going with a surprise versus something elaborate.”

“I surprised myself. I didn’t know I was going to propose today until you brought up marriage.”

“What? How’s that possible?” She asks with delighted disbelief.

“I’ve been carrying the ring with me for about a week now. Just in case.”

“Genius!” She looks up at me, her face full of happiness. “I certainly was shocked in the best possible way.”

She’s so pretty, smiling in her white dress surrounded by almond blossoms. The only thing to do is to kiss her again. We kiss and kiss while the gentle roar of bees surrounds us, envelops us, surges through our blood with the age-old promise of something new and good just beginning.

The End