She tossed the last plant into the wheelbarrow, then stood. “I need to take pictures and get some measurements,” she said. “Is it all right if I go look at the backyard? I want to see whatthe landscaping looks like so I don’t duplicate what they have already.”
“Sure. The gate’s open. But there’s not much to see. It’s basic plants and a couple of camphor trees.” He picked up a rake and started smoothing the loose soil. “We also don’t have much of a budget.”
“That’s okay. I can be creative.”
She went into the small backyard. As Aaron had mentioned, there were the two large trees, one in each corner, grass and some scraggly hedges. She returned to the front yard and quickly measured the bed, recording the numbers on her phone.
“I’ll swing by the nursery and see what they’ve got available,” she told him. “I can put together a plan tonight, with both the design and the cost, and email it to you so you can talk to her tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.” He kissed her. “Thank you for your help on this. We’re a good team.”
“We are.” She smiled at him. “So it’s kind of a good thing we’re going to be getting married, huh?”
Instead of smiling back, he pressed his lips together.
“I want to talk about that.”
Instantly fear gripped her. “Us getting married?” What did he mean? That he’d changed his mind? That he didn’t love her? But they were in love. He’d just said they were a team and—
“I want to start telling people we’re engaged.”
The simple statement short-circuited her emotional meltdown. Sonotbreaking up with her. And why had she even gone there? Aaron was very clear about his feelings. She knew where she stood with him, and she trusted him. Assuming the worst made no sense.
“Shannon?”
“Sorry. I thought you were going to say you were mad or something.”
“I’m not, but I want to tell my folks we’re engaged. I knowyou’re worried about Cindy and her wedding, but it’s been a few weeks. How long do you plan to keep the secret?”
Her first instinct was to sayUntil her wedding, but that wasn’t rational. At some point they had to make the announcement. That was what people did.
“I don’t know how long.” She looked at him. “I really am afraid of what my mom’s going to say. She’s in a bad place right now, and if she starts talking about a double wedding, I don’t know if I can hurt her by saying no. Can I have a little more time? Just a couple of weeks. Then we’ll make the announcement.”
He hesitated, then nodded slowly. “As long as it isn’t too long. I want the world to know you said yes.”
She stepped close. “I’ll always say yes to you.”
After they’d collected the tools and loaded them in his truck, they left the house. Shannon drove to the nursery while Aaron headed for his next job. As she sat in traffic, she thought about his request that they tell people they were engaged. Of course he wanted his family to know—she did, too. Just not yet. But even as she promised herselfsoon, a voice in her head whispered the longer she waited the worse it was going to be. Especially if her mom found out from someone other than her.
12
Victoria looked at the man sitting across from her at her kitchen table. While she’d enjoyed Javiar’s company the first time he’d stopped by, she’d decided that she wasn’t going to see him again. She wasn’t interested in being friends with him, and if he wouldn’t sleep with her, then what was the point? Yet somehow when he’d texted and suggested he bring by takeout, she’d found herself agreeing.
She told herself it was just because she wasn’t able to get out much—except for her critique group and seeing her dad every week or so for lunch, she was pretty much alone. She’d been indulging in her love of movies, but even she was getting tired of watching two a day. So it wasn’t so much she wanted to seehimas she would have agreed to have anyone over. Desperate times and all that.
“You look like you’re feeling better,” he said, passing over the tray of enchiladas. He’d also brought street tacos, guacamole and chips. She’d already had limes so had quickly made them margaritas.
“You’re moving around more easily,” he added. “Not like last time.”
“How was I different last time?” she asked, surprised by how much he’d paid attention.
“You were careful when you walked with the crutches. Likeevery step hurt. Now you’re just dealing with the inconvenience. When do you get your walking cast?”
“In a few weeks.” She slid an enchilada onto her plate. “And based on how you’re feeding me, I’m going to have to start doing laps the very first day. I’ve already put on three pounds since the accident.”
“You look great.”
She rolled her eyes. “So says the guy who’s six feet tall and works out. You don’t ever worry about gaining weight.” She scooped up some guacamole. “In fact, you have the opposite problem. If you don’t eat enough, you shed muscle. If you get the flu, you instantly drop ten pounds.”
