“I suggest you decide quick before you lose her forever to another man, because I guarantee by the end of the night, she’ll have over a dozen marriage proposals.”
Ed’s breath caught between his lungs and his lust.
She glided down the stairs like a goddess escaping a painting.
“You look like God himself sent you from heaven.”
Cora smiled, and he wanted to fall at her feet and beg her to marry him now. He rushed up the stairs to capture her in his arms and prove his love for her.
“Am I early?” Mr. Grous’s voice echoed like a cannon boom through his home, stopping Ed at the fifth step from Cora. What was he doing here? He wasn’t invited.
Ed spun to face the entryway but spotted Mr. and Mrs. Miller behind the man.
Ed clutched the railing and willed himself to remain calm. He forced a light tone, avoiding a display that could ruin the event Cora had worked so hard to create. No, he wouldn’t let Grous win like that. “Please, enjoy our hospitality while we greet our incoming guests.” Ed held out his hand to Cora, who descended the steps by his side. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight with Grous in his home. “I must speak to you.”
“Now isn’t the time.” She went to the door to greet Mr. and Mrs. Miller and the rest of the guests, who poured in with oohs and awws.
Ed kept his gaze trained on Cora, but he couldn’t get near her until they were in the ballroom and the music played from the orchestra in the corner, the only real expense he’d had to cover for the party.
Mr. Grous remained close, hovering around Cora, always whispering his lies in any ear that would listen.
“You really are an exquisite young lady.” Mr. Miller held up a glass of wine to Cora’s glass of water.
“Yes, she is,” Mr. Grous said in an unseemly tone.
“Then why haven’t you set a date?” Mrs. Miller asked.
“As I explained, I needed to focus on this event to make sure I made a good impression. I wouldn’t want to disappoint my fiancé with anything less than perfection.”
“You are perfection. You don’t have to try,” Ed said in front of all who could hear.
“Well, the party’s a success and everyone who is anyone that matters is in this room, so let’s make this happen,” Mr. Miller announced.
“Ed better set a date quick, or Miss McKinnie here might change her mind and marry another.” Mr. Grous crowded Cora in a too-familiar way.
Ed snapped. “Next Saturday.” His breath came in short bursts. He needed to let Cora know he was serious and wanted her to stay, because Grous and Ghost were right. He’d lose her if he didn’t ask her now. And the thought of losing her tomorrow frightened him more than anything else.
Cora’s eyes shot wide.
Mrs. Miller fanned herself. “That soon? Well, I think the cliff house is open next Saturday night because we canceled a banquet there.”
“No,” Cora said flatly.
Ed took both her hands and willed her to see his sincerity. “I don’t want to wait another minute to make you my wife. Before you came, I thought I had to be alone, that I never wanted another to care for, but then I met you, and you made me see the truth. I’m not solely responsible for you, but we are responsible for each other.”
Her eyes welled with tears and her lip trembled.
He dared another bold statement, one that he hoped she’d welcome. “And for children. There are plenty who need a home, and I want to help with that problem.”
He studied her gaze, which danced from Mr. Miller to Mrs. Miller to everyone else crowding around to see Ed’s outlandish display before she settled on him once again. “No, I won’t marry you next Saturday at the Cliff House.” Her voice cracked, and her tears slid down her cheeks.
Ed took a step back, but she moved to him. “Because I want to marry next to the magnolia tree in our garden. A small wedding for just us.” Her voice broke with a soft cry.
Ed wanted to pull her into him, to hold her tight and never let her go. But he couldn’t at that moment in front of everyone, so he cupped her cheek and wiped her tears away with his thumb.
She tilted her face into his palm and closed her eyes.
“But you need to share the happy bliss with all your new friends,” Mrs. Miller announced loudly and with a little slur to her speech.
