“Come inside.Let’s see what they’ve done,” said Mike, moving ahead to unlock the front door.
She stepped inside and gazed around at the pale-gray painted walls and cream trim.“Oh, this is much better.It makes a perfect blend of the rooms.”
Dottie wiggled in Hazel’s arms.“No, you don’t.I’m putting you right outside,”
Hazel walked through the kitchen and out to the screened-in porch, then onto the grass.
When she turned, Mike was beside her, smiling.“Come inside.The dog will be safe here in the fenced yard.We need to talk.”
“Yes, I need to tell you something,” said Hazel, allowing Mike to lead her inside, where a couple of bar stools had been placed in front of the kitchen bar.
“Have a seat,” said Mike, helping her onto the stool before facing her.
Smiling, he gazed at her.“Hazel, I love you,” said Mike.“I’ve loved you way before we got together this summer.You’re the kindest, nicest woman I’ve ever known.I want you with me now and in all the days to come.Will you marry me?”He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket to show her a beautiful round diamond ring.
Overcome, Hazel covered her face and sobbed.
“Whoa!The thought isn’t that bad, is it?”asked Mike, lifting her chin and giving her a worried look.
“No, it’s a wonderful thought, but it won’t be just the two of us,” said Hazel.
“Of course not.You, me, and Dottie,” Mike said.
“Okay, then it’ll be the four of us,” said Hazel.“I … I’m pregnant.”
The look of shock on Mike’s face froze Hazel from her fingers to her toes.It was her nightmare come to life.“You’re having a baby?”
She shook her head.“No,we’rehaving a baby.”
It took her a moment to realize Mike had wrapped his arms around her and was twirling her in a circle, laughing with glee.“Oh, my God!A baby!”
He set her down and cupped her face in his broad hands.“I couldn’t love you more.”
“I know we hadn’t planned on it …” she began.
“It’s the ultimate expression of our love,” said Mike.“We’ll have other children, but this baby will be the beginning of our life together.So, will you marry me?”
Hazel laughed when she realized she hadn’t answered him.“Yes, Mike, I’ll marry you.We’llmarry you.You’ve made me very happy with your response.I was worried that everything was happening too soon.”
“It’s never too soon for me to have a real home.One with you.”
Lifting her hand, she gently wiped a drop of moisture from his cheek.She loved this man and would always give him the home he’d never had as a child.
“I have something to confess,” said Mike.“Part of my trip was to meet with your father when he came to Miami on a business trip.I wanted to ask him for your hand in marriage.Just like a real family.”
Hazel grinned.“That’s why my mother told me they were talking about how much they liked you.Any more surprises?”
“Nope.I think we’ve covered it all.A ring, a puppy, a house, a baby.Sounds like a perfect plan to me.When’s the wedding?”
Laughing, they held onto each other with the promise of a wonderful future together.
EPILOGUE
A few months later, Hazel stood in the master bedroom of the house at The Meadows and gazed at herself in the wall mirror.It was hard to believe that so much had happened to her in such a short time.
She cradled the small bump in her stomach thinking of the baby she was carrying.This little boy, unlike the man she was about to marry, would experience a kind, loving home where he would always know he was loved.
Hazel gazed down at the puppy at her feet.Dottie had been a gift of love and would, she hoped, become a companion for her child.
