She risked a quick glance at him, but she couldn’t quite read his expression. He sat silently in his chair, his expression completely inscrutable now. She assumed he was deeply relieved to find out she wasn’t pregnant, but the relief wasn’t evident on his face. Maybe he was thinking about what a close call he’d just escaped.
Her mom searched her face. “You’re not?”
Melissa shook her head. “No. I’m not.”
“Then why have you been so upset this evening?”
Rattled by this entire confrontation, she blurted, “I’m upset because Josh is breaking up with me.”
Josh made a choked sound before pushing a hand through his hair in exasperation. “Why do you think I’m breaking up with you?”
“I just, um, put two and two together,” she muttered, all too aware that she sounded as much like her mother as Abby always accused her.
“Well, then you need to work on your math skills,” Josh shot back with a frustrated shake of his head. “I don’t want to break up with you, Melissa. I want to ask you to marry me!”
Chapter Six
by Cindy Kirk
Bedlam followed Josh Wright’s announcement that he planned to propose to Melissa Morgan. Everyone at the table started talking in loud excited voices, their hands gesturing wildly.
Family patriarch Frank Morgan had experience with chaotic situations. After all, he and his wife, Diana, had raised two girls. When things got out of hand, control had to be established. Because his silver referee whistle was in a drawer back home, Frank improvised.
Seconds later, a shrill noise split the air.
His family immediately stopped talking and all turned in his direction.
“Frank?” Shock blanketed Greg DeSena’s face. Though he’d been married to Frank’s oldest daughter, Abby, for three years, this was a side to his father-in-law he’d obviously never seen.
Frank’s youngest daughter, Melissa, slipped into her chair without being asked. She cast furtive glances at her boyfriend, Josh. It had been Josh’s unexpected proclamation that he intended to propose to her that had thrown everyone into such a tizzy.
Even though Frank hadn’t whistled a family meeting to order in years, his wife and daughters remembered what the blast of air meant.
“Darling.” Diana spoke in a low tone, but loud enough for everyone at the table to hear clearly. “This is our anniversary dinner. Can’t a family meeting wait until another time?”
Her green eyes looked like liquid jade in the candlelight. Even after thirty years, one look from her, one touch, was all it took to make Frank fall in love all over again.
If they were at their home—instead of at Greg and Abby’s house—he’d grab her hand and they’d trip up the stairs, kissing and shedding clothes with every step. But he was the head of this warm, wonderful, sometimes crazy family and with the position came responsibility.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. This can’t wait.” Frank shifted his gaze from his beautiful wife and settled it on the man who’d blurted out his intentions only moments before. “Josh.”
His future son-in-law snapped to attention. “Sir.”
Though Frank hadn’t been a marine in a very long time, Josh’s response showed he’d retained his commanding presence. “Sounds like there’s something you want to ask my daughter.”
“Frank, no. Not now,” Diana protested. “Not like this.”
“Mr. Morgan is right.” Josh pushed back his chair and stood. “There is something I want to ask Melissa. From the misunderstanding tonight, it appears I’ve already waited too long.”
Frank nodded approvingly and sat back in his chair. He liked a decisive man. Josh would be a good addition to the family.
“If you want to wait—” Diana began.
Before she could finish, Frank leaned over and did what he’d wanted to do all night. He kissed her.
“Let the man say his piece,” he murmured against her lips.
Diana shuddered. Her breathing hitched but predictably she opened her mouth. So he kissed her again. This time deeper, longer, until her eyes lost their focus, until she relaxed against his shoulder with a happy sigh.