“You’re a part of Parker’s now. And I’m going to pour us all some coffee to celebrate.”Donna got up and grabbed the drinks. She handed them each a mug and raised hers.“To the Parker women.”
Evelyn fought back tears. She was so lucky to have such a great family. And she was very proud that she could now support herself. After all those years of Darren insisting she not get a job. That she had to be available at a moment’s notice to throw a dinner party for him or run his errands. Look how far she’d come. She raised her mug as a wide grin spread across her face.“To the Parker women.”
Chapter 6
Donna walked into The Cabot Hotel to meet Barry for dinner. She’d managed to run home and change into some nice slacks and a top, thanks to a shopping spree with Olivia and Heather earlier this year. Olivia kept making noises that they should go shopping again. Donna wasn’t really opposed to that suggestion now that she was seeing Barry all the time.
She told the hostess that she was meeting Barry, and the woman smiled and nodded.“Right this way.”
The woman led her through the dining room, and she frowned when she didn’t see Barry anywhere. Maybe she’d gotten here before him? The hostess continued to the far end of the room and paused by a doorway.“He’s waiting for you in here.”
Donna stepped through the doorway and Barry walked up to her. He was so handsome that it sometimes took her breath away. And this was one of those times. His smile. His just for her smile. It made her weak in the knees, and she was much too old for that nonsense. Yet…her heart fluttered at that smile. He kissed her cheek and stood back.
She peered into the room.“Oh, my.”The small room held a single table that was set for two with a fancy tablecloth. Candles flickered gently next to a beautiful arrangement of flowers adorning the center of the table. A large window looked out over the bay.“I didn’t even know this room existed.”
“It actually just recently got finished. I managed to snag it for our dinner tonight.”He led her over to the table.
“It’s lovely.”She sat down in the chair Barry held out for her.
He sat down across the table.“I ordered some champagne. I hope that’s okay.”
“That sounds wonderful. What’s the occasion?”
“I just wanted to have a special evening with my favorite gal.”He grinned and handed her a glass of champagne.
They sipped their champagne for a bit and chatted about their days. She loved this. Just spending time with him. They saw each other almost every evening now unless one of them got tied up with work. He was so easy to talk to, and she enjoyed hearing all the little details of his day.
Once they’d ordered their meals, Barry stood.“Let’s go look out at the view.”He took her hand and they walked over to the window.
“It’s so beautiful out there. The sun is almost ready to set, and the sky is so glorious with all those colors.”
He smiled.“I know you love your sunsets.”
She laughed.“I do.”
He took her hand, and she immediately felt its warmth. A warmth that spread through her.“So…Donna. We’ve been dating for a while now, and I really, really enjoy spending time with you. I care about you. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”Somehow that had become easier for her to say. Something she never would have believed the first time she said it to him after deliberating for so long on whether she did actually love him and whether she could tell him.
He squeezed her hand.“I was wondering…I mean…”
Barry looked nervous, and heneverlooked nervous. He was always confident and self-assured. Her forehead crinkled as she watched him.
He suddenly grasped her other hand and held both of them in his.“Donna. I love you. I know you hate change.”
She did hate change…She eyed him with a bit of suspicion. What did he want to change? Things were great just like they were right now.
“But I do want things to…change. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I—”He paused and look right at her, deep into her eyes, maybe into her very soul.“Will you marry me?”
Somehow a delicate ring box appeared with a perfect single diamond in a beautiful yet simple setting.
She stood silently as shock bolted through her.
She hadn’t been expecting this. Not at all.
He stood patiently waiting for an answer. She looked at the ring, back up to his face, back down at the ring.
Then she finally looked back up into those eyes of his. Got lost in them. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she reached out to touch his arm.“Yes. I’d very much like to marry you.”
