“You sure?” he asked.
“Just wedding questions we can get into later.” She waved him away. Coward. How could she bring his world tumbling down because she’d gone and fallen in love? That was never part of their deal.
***
Permission
Ring
Plan
Photographer
Mason
Going to the Lambert house never made him this nervous. After knocking on the door, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his wool coat. His breath steamed out in front of him in a white cloud. Winter was clinging to spring with icy fingers. The door unlocked and Mrs. Lambert opened the door with a smile.
“Well, hi there, Mason. You want to come on in?”
“Yes, please. Phew, it’s nippy out.”
“You know what they say … in like a lion out like a lamb. We had an extremely mild winter, so I’m not surprised.”
“That’s true.”
“You know I’m always happy to see, but what can I do for you?”
“I actually wanted to talk to you and Mr. Lambert.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened, and he nodded.
“We were just about to have dinner. George, Mason, is here.”
“Is Petunia with him?”
“No, he came alone,” she stated as they made the familiar trek into the kitchen.
“Well, have a seat, son. Are you hungry? We’ve got plenty of chili to share,” Mr. Lambert said.
Mason shrugged off his coat and draped it on the chair across from him. “No, sir, I don’t think I could eat a bite right now.” Mrs. Lambert joined her husband on the other side of the table, and he swallowed.
“I think I’ve loved your daughter my entire life, and with your permission, I’d like to ask her to marry me.”
“Oh, I had a feeling,” Mrs. Lambert whispered.
“I wouldn’t feel better saying yes to anyone else, Mason. You know we’ve always thought of you as family. That aside, if you hurt my little girl, I will track you down. I’m old, and I’ve lived. I got no problem being hauled off to jail for the rest of my life.” The honesty in his gaze was frightening. Even weakened by a battle with kidney failure, and recovering from a transplant, George Lambert was an impressive six foot three with large hands, and grit in his dark brown eyes.
“I understand, sir, but you don’t have to worry about that with me.”
“I’m trusting your word on that.” Rising, George held out his hand, and they shook hands. “Welcome to the family, son.”
“Let’s see if she says yes first,” he said with a nervous chuckle.
“I don’t doubt it for a second.” George sat back down. “Do you have the ring?”
“I’m waiting for it to come into the shop. I had to make sure it was something as special as she was.”
“That’s beautiful,” Mary Lambert whispered.