Ben’s eyes widened. “It’s not only the words, is it? You want the sky to explode in fireworks and a string quartet to play soft romantic music. You want an amazing memory Paris will treasure for the rest of her life.”
“That’s exactly what I want.” At least one of his friends understood the dilemma he was in. “But I need ideas. You guys have been through this before, but I wasn’t here when most of you became engaged. What did you do?”
John sighed. “I asked Shelley to marry me on Christmas Day in front of the tree we decorate at the end of Main Street.”
“In the middle of a blizzard,” Ethan laughed.
“No one noticed the temperature after Shelley said yes. Tell Richard how you proposed.”
Ethan cleared his throat. “I drove Diana to Polson where the steamboats dock against the jetty. I asked her to marry me under a tree decorated in fairy lights. After she said yes, our families and friends went on an evening dinner cruise on the lake.”
Richard’s eyes widened. “I never thought of that.”
“I stuck closer to him,” Ben said next. “I blindfolded Kylie and took her to a thirty-foot Christmas tree I’d decorated on the farm.”
“And you know where I was,” Wyatt said to Richard. “I asked Penny to marry me in The Lakeside Inn on the day the Bed and Breakfast opened.”
John must have seen the near panic on Richard’s face. “You don’t need fireworks and symphony orchestras. Just think of a place or memory that’s special to both of you.”
“Does a Harley motorcycle count?”
“It does if it’s mine,” Ethan said with a chuckle. “But it’s supposed to be special for both of you.”
“Or all three of us,” Richard added. “Jack is an important part of my proposal.”
“I’ve got it,” Wyatt said with a slightly worrying smile. “Build a castle from giant Legos bricks. Stand inside it with Paris when you ask her to marry you. Jack will think it’s the coolest thing ever.”
“I’m not sure Paris would agree,” Richard said. But they would remember it for the rest of their lives.
Chapter 22
Jackie raised her glass in a toast. “To Andrea. The latest business owner to join the incredible redevelopment of Anchor Lane. May your café provide endless cups of coffee, food that draws people from far and wide, and a bowl of water for our canine buddies.”
Paris clinked her glass of orange juice against her friends’ and smiled. After the stressful week she’d had, she was glad Andrea had suggested going out. The Bar and Grill in downtown Sapphire Bay was everything she needed to soothe her soul.
With its jukebox pumping out country hits, soft, mellow lighting making everyone look glamorous, and a mix of cowboys, business people, and retirees enjoying themselves, it was ten times better than being at home on her own.
“I can’t believe I’m finally going to own a café.” Andrea’s face lit with happiness. “Andy and Charlie are so excited. All they’ve talked about is inviting their friends to the café to show them where their mom works.”
“What did you think of the remodeling?” Paris asked.
Shelley and Jackie leaned forward to hear what Andrea said.
“It’s gorgeous. Richard and his team are so clever. They’ve stopped working on the kitchen until I’ve decided what appliances I’m buying and where they’ll go. The rest of the cottage is well on its way to being painted.”
“What color have you settled on?” Shelley asked.
“I like what Paris did to The Flower Cottage, except instead of a navy blue feature wall, I thought I’d use a soft pink paint. As well as being my favorite color, it’s supposed to be soothing. If it makes people stay longer in the café, I’ll give anything a go.” She pulled out her phone and showed a picture to everyone. “This is what inspired me.”
Paris loved what she saw. A pale pink wall was the backdrop to large gold-framed mirrors. White round tables sat in front of the wall, surrounded by cane chairs and vases full of deep pink flowers. “It’s gorgeous. You’ll love going into work each day with a café that looks like that.”
“I thought the same thing. And if I enjoy it, so will my customers.”
Shelley checked her cell phone and frowned.
“Is everything okay?” Paris asked.
“It’s only John. He’s lost his third poker game in a row and he wants my sympathy.”
