‘Don’t worry, I’ll be okay. It’s starting to pass now that I’m getting used to a nonmoving floor under my feet again.’
‘All right, but be sure to yell if you need anything. I want you well for tonight.’
Griff wished she meant for something more fun than whatever she was so keen on discussing, but wasn’t dumb enough to say so out loud.
* * *
Lyndsey watched Griff wend his way back from the bar with their drinks and wished this was nothing more than an enjoyable uncomplicated date. All she wanted was to enjoy the perfect summer evening with the man she loved, but too many worries were on her mind and needed to be sorted. She’d purposely chosen to come to the Pengooth Inn because the low-ceilinged, whitewashed pub was well off the beaten track. It was highly unlikely they’d bump into anyone she knew on this remote part of the north coast halfway between Bude and Tintagel.
‘There you are.’ Griff set down two glasses. ‘A soda and lime for my designated driver, and I’m following the landlord’s recommendation by trying a pint of Tribute. They said it shouldn’t take long when I put in our food order.’ He pulled out a chair and dropped down next to her. Shafts of sunlight danced in through the window and caught the golden streaks in his hair, loose around his shoulders tonight.
How she restrained herself from reaching over to touch him she’d never know. He’d laugh himself senseless if she called him beautiful, but in her eyes, he absolutely was.
‘So, you gonna get the bad news over with?’
‘I never mentioned any bad news,’ she protested.
‘You’ve had a grim expression on your face every time you bring up the subject of “talking,” so I put two and two together. Did I make five, or is my math spot on?’
‘It’s . . . tricky, and maybe it’s too soon to discuss this, and I should shut up and enjoy what we’ve got without worrying—’
‘You’re killin’ me, honey.’ Griff’s eyes blazed. ‘I sure hope you didn’t bring me four thousand miles to turn around and dump me?’
‘Oh God, no!’
‘That’s okay then. Anythin’ else we can work through. Relocation. Work. Whatever. We love each other, so as long as we’re honest, it’s all good.’ The corners of his mouth lifted and he slipped one hand behind her head, drawing her close for a kiss. ‘I’ll kick it off if you like. I used to run a mile in the opposite direction when girlfriends started talking about weddings and having kids—’
‘Me too.’ Lyndsey felt her cheeks flame. ‘Well, in my case I’m talking about boyfriends obviously. I was totally focused on growing my business.’
‘But you’ve changed.’
Lyndsey frowned. ‘Yes, sorry.’
‘Don’t be.’ Griff’s drawl turned raspy. ‘I noticed you goin’ all soft and gooey with Nora the other day, and it couldn’t have made me happier.’
Now she was puzzled.
‘I know I acted a bit weird at the time, but I needed to think things through, to be sure I wasn’t projecting my own feelings onto you.’ His long fingers stroked her cheek, heating it under his touch. ‘See, I want those things now, too.’ Griff’s smile broadened. ‘I need more than stained glass to keep me company. Make a life with me, Lyndsey.’
‘Do you mind spelling it out, so I’m absolutely sure we’re not misunderstanding each other again,’ she whispered.
He sheepishly glanced around the busy pub. ‘This wasn’t how I’d planned on doin’ this.’
‘You had a plan?’
‘Yeah, of course I did.’ He sounded offended. ‘I intended asking for your folks’ blessing first. Buying a ring. Finding the perfect scenic spot to go down on one knee and . . . oh, to heck with that. I love you, Lyndsey. Be my wife. We can have one kid, a whole bunch or none, and it’ll be fine with me. All I need is you there when I wake up and when I go to bed at night.’
She was totally different from Becca, who’d dreamed about her perfect proposal and wedding since she was five years old. Every time there was a wedding at the village church her sister would drag Lyndsey along so they could be waiting outside for when the ceremony was over. Her sister would critique everything from the bride’s dress to the mode of transport waiting to take the couple to the reception. Lyndsey’s fantasies, on the other hand, had revolved solely around becoming an independent, financially successful woman. Now she saw all of those things were wonderful ambitions, but a well-rounded life needed more. The man gazing across the table at her with love blazing from his eyes was her ‘more.’
‘Yes, please, to absolutely everything.’ Lyndsey beamed.
‘Come here.’ He patted his knee and she hopped over, flinging her arms around his neck.
A bored teenage girl plonked the plates and cutlery down in front of them. ‘One sausage, chips and baked beans, and one salmon salad.’ She rolled her eyes in barely veiled disgust and slouched away.
‘No doubt she thinks anyone over thirty has one foot in the grave and shouldn’t be snogging in pubs.’ Lyndsey laughed.
‘Yeah, well that’s her problem. I’m gonna kiss my new fiancée whether she likes it or not . . . the waitress, I mean.You’dbetter like it, or we’re in trouble before we even get goin’.’
