“And why did he think you wouldn’t say yes?”
She looked out the window, pressed her lips together, and then took another bite of her peach pancakes, clear defiance in her eyes.
“Because he overheard you telling Shiloh not to be so emotional over the stars, right? And he thought you were a little intimidating.”
“I’mnotintimidating,” April said.
“Not to me, buggy.” He grinned at her. “And now not to Louis, either. But you came off as salty thevery first timehe met you.” Dawson spread his butter around his buckwheat pancakes, enjoying the way it melted. “He knows who you are, April. He doesn’t need more time.”
“So I just tell him yes tonight?” April asked.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what you do,” Dawson said. “Let me tell you a little something about a man in love.” He cleared his throat and reached for his coffee cup. After taking a healthy swallow, he felt more in control.
“He’s putting his heart and life on the line tonight. It’s the ultimate chance for rejection, and though I’m absolutely positive you’ve told him that you love him, he’s still not sure what you’re going to say. It’ssonerve-wracking for men.”
April reached up and wiped her eyes again.
“So, yes,” Dawson said. “You tell him yes, and you mean it with everything you have. And if you have to laugh for joy, you do it so he can hear. And if it makes you cry, then you cry so he can see. Hewantsto make you happy, April, and hewantsto be with you, and he alsoneedsto know thatyouwant to be with him.”
“I do,” April said. “How can he not know that?”
“I’m sure he does,” Dawson said. “But sometimes those of us that are a little salty forget how we come off. You’ve already told him no once, and I know you guys made it a joke, but it’snota joke to him.”
April nodded, her eyes wide. “Okay.”
“Okay,” Dawson said, and he took a deep breath and focused on his pancakes.
They ate for a few minutes, and finally April looked at him again. “I’m gonna ask momma and Shiloh to help me get ready tonight.”
He nodded, his own happiness moving through him. “Good idea. You can tell them about the ring Louis bought, and that you think he’s going to propose tonight, and then it won’t be a surprise for anyone.”
“What if he doesn’t ask me?” April asked.
“Then he doesn’t,” Dawson said. “But I’m pretty sure he’s given you the hints you need, and I’ve never known Louis to beat around the bush.”
April shook her head. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Do you go out to Big Sky Park often?” Dawson asked.
“Yeah, we go every couple months,” April said. “When he wants to talk to me about something really serious.”
“Ah, he’s going to ask you,” Dawson said. “Can I give you one more piece of advice?”
April’s chin wobbled again, but she nodded.
“Try to enjoy it, buggy,” he said. “Hopefully, you’ll only get engaged once, and you love this man, and you love Big Sky Park. So if there’sany waythat you can release your anxiety over this, I hope you will, because you shouldenjoygetting engaged.”
April sniffled and nodded. “I’ll try, Uncle Daws.”
“I’ll pray for you,” he said, and then he picked up his last piece of spicy candied bacon, fully prepared to enjoy it.
17
Lila Mae pulled up to the veterinary stable. Dr. Clopton would be here at nine a.m. on Monday morning, and that meant she only had another weekend to make sure the hospital was ready for him.
He’d come to Three Rivers a couple of weeks ago to tour the facilities and give his opinion on the facilities where he’d spend most of his time. He said he was moving to town this weekend. Lila Mae had offered to get some help for him, but apparently, he’d called on Smiles Glover and said he had all the help he needed.
Some ranches had on-site living for their full-time staff, but Lila Mae didn’t want to do that. She wanted this property to be for cats, and yes, she had a place here, but she mostly wanted it to be a Texas wilderness safe haven for felines.
