“I’ll be back in a minute.”
She quickly scribbled a message on the paper and tucked it under the edge of the tray. Before Cassie made it back to the counter, her cell phone rang.
She looked at the caller display and smiled. “Hi, Noah. How are you?”
“Tired, but glad to be in Sapphire Bay.”
Cassie stopped walking. “You’re here?”
“I thought I’d surprise you.”
“It’s a wonderful surprise, but is everything okay? You weren’t supposed to be here for another week.”
“Everything’s fine. I missed you, that’s all.”
Cassie smiled. “I’ve missed you, too. I’ll be home in about fifteen minutes.”
“Don’t rush. I know you’re busy making fudge.”
“No one will notice if I leave a few minutes early. Is there anything you need?”
“Just you.”
Her smile widened. “That’s easy. I’ll see you soon.”
“Has Cassie arrived?”
Noah peeked through the lace curtains. “I don’t think so. I haven’t seen her headlights.”
Tony checked his watch. “She shouldn’t be too far away. Did you want to make sure the fairy lights are working?”
“It’s too late. If we put them on now, she’ll see them from the road.” He took a deep breath. “Is everyone ready in Acorn Cottage?”
“As ready as they’ll ever be.”
“And the food and drink?”
“Megan’s got that sorted.” Tony studied Noah’s face. “It will be okay. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“She could say no.”
“That’s true.”
A beam of light cut across the room.
Tony leaped away from the window. “She’s here!”
Noah’s blood pressure plummeted. “I’m going to faint.”
“No, you’re not. I’ll be inside ready to turn on the lights.” Tony sent him a worried frown. “If you feel like vomiting, do it in the garden.”
“Are they the best words of wisdom you’ve got?”
Tony chuckled. “Believe me. This is the easy part. Wait until your first child is born.”
Noah didn’t think anything would be as nerve-wracking as tonight. After ten days of planning, he was finally going to ask Cassie to marry him. And if he made it outside without vomiting, he’d die a happy man.
As Cassie steppedout of her car, a cold gust of wind made her shiver. She pulled her jacket close and quickly walked toward her cottage.
