“What case?”
“The ‘Shiloh, legally bind yourself to me’ effort.”
She rubbed the back of his neck. “You just seem a little more...franticthan usual.”
Cary lifted his head to look at her. He was still flushed. “I have seventeen days of leave. I need to get my mom’s house on the market before I go. And I need to convince you to spend the rest of your life with me. Those are my two objectives. They’re both of highest priority.”
Shiloh laughed. It was gentle. She nudged his hair away from his face, even though it was too short to matter. “You don’t have to deal with me right now, I’ll give you an extension. I’m not going anywhere.”
“No,”Cary said, frustrated. “Shiloh.No more extensions. No more waiting. I want the rest of my life to be about building something with you. I want to start that work.”
“Okay,” she said, kissing his cheek. “It’s started. We’ve started. Look at me.” He did. “We’re engaged.”
“Asterisk,” Cary said, still wretched.
“The footnote now reads, ‘This is an active, developing scenario. Both parties are at the table working toward a mutually beneficial agreement.’”
Cary frowned. “That’s too long for a footnote, and it doesn’t sound celebratory.”
“Let go of my ring,” she said.
He did.
Shiloh smiled at him and tucked the necklace into her shirt. “Come hang out with my kids, and let me feed you dinner.”
Cary looked in her eyes and nodded.
Shiloh led him downstairs. She’d been planning on not touching him in front of Junie and Gus. But the landscape of her worries had shifted. She held his hand.
Junie jumped up when she saw him. “Cary, are you feeling betternow?”
“I am. Sorry, Juniper. It’s great to see you.”
“It’s great to see you. I thought you’d never leave that boat!”
Shiloh’s mom was on the couch. Cary looked penitent. “Gloria, I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” She was holding a beer. “I shouldn’t have stuck my nose in your business.”
“I won’t fight in your yard again. I promise you that was out of character.”
Her mom rolled her eyes. “Your sister would bring out the worst in Mother Teresa.”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated.
Shiloh pulled him toward the kitchen. “The kids have already eaten.”
“But we waited for you to have dessert!” Junie said.
“Mommy,” Gus said, “Gus can have dessert? Gus can have ice cream?” He still hadn’t abandoned the third person.
“Just a minute, Gus. Do you like BLTs?” she asked Cary. “Do you eat bacon?”
“I eat everything,” he said.
“Good.”
She cooked the rest of the bacon while Cary watched. She hadn’t wanted it to get cold before he got here.
