Jeremy squeezed her tight. “Wait a minute, I’m sure I proposed to you a moment ago, and you didn’t give me an answer.”
She ran her hand over the smooth skin of his hip and down his hairy thigh. “Right now, I doubt either of us is thinking clearly.”
Jeremy pulled himself up slightly. “Is that a no?”
“No. I want to wake up in your arms and tell you then.”
He settled back down beside her. “Sounds promising.”
“Sure is,” she murmured, and she fell asleep imagining them as a family with Twink, but it was J. Lyle’s angry frown that cursed her dreams.
Chapter Sixteen
Saturday morning, Darcy drove up to Ridgecrest to check the Peaveys’ yard for storm damage. Both Charlotte and Michelle greeted her warmly and after a brief tour of the yard, Darcy assured them no previously unforeseen work would have to be done in preparation for the wedding.
When Darcy returned to her truck, she glanced up the hill toward Griffin’s home. She could also justify running a quick survey of his property, but at present, she couldn’t face another of his righteous tirades.
“Artistic temperament, my ass,” she grumbled under her breath.
Her mood was still dark when she entered the shop, but Christy Joy greeted her with an ecstatic smile. “Did you just win the lottery?” Darcy asked.
“Better than that. Come on upstairs with me for a minute.” She promptly led the way at a bouncy jog.
Darcy followed with a slow, deliberate step. By the time she reached the top of the stairs, her partner was already in her living room waiting for her.
As Darcy entered, Christy Joy giggled and held out her left hand. “What do you think of this pretty ring?”
Darcy gaped at the impressive heart-shaped diamond. “I’m too dazzled to think. I assume Jeremy is the man?”
“Oh, indeed he is. Last night, we spent what was easily the best night of my life together. And this morning, as soon as the jewelry stores opened, he left to buy me an engagement ring.”
Darcy tried to be happy for her best friend, but it was a challenge with her own heart aching. “I’ve always liked Jeremy, but he’s never struck me as the impulsive sort.”
“No, he certainly isn’t, so I took it upon myself to inspire him.”
“Good for you. Do you love him?”
Christy Joy shrugged. “What’s not to love?”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Christy Joy twisted the gorgeous ring on her finger. “Yes, I do. He’s everything J. Lyle isn’t. Look, Darcy, Jeremy is so sweet, and I decided to go for it the way you did with Griffin. Hasn’t that tactic worked out well for you?”
Darcy didn’t know where to begin on that one, but she hadn’t forgotten that Griffin had sworn her to secrecy where he was concerned. “I went for it all right, but mind-blowing sex doesn’t send everybody to the altar. I’m real happy for you two, though. Have you set a date?”
“No, but we both want it to be soon.”
“Wonderful, then you can practice on your own wedding bouquet before you make one for Michelle Peavey.”
Christy Joy laughed as they went back downstairs. “I thought of that too. Now, with the sun shining, let’s hope we make some money today.”
“Amen to that, sister,” Darcy replied, and with her smile firmly fixed in place, she went out to the nursery and got to work.
The tree trimmer arrived before noon, and the crew Griffin had hired to repair the roof swiftly followed. Darcy was still trying to decide what to do about the potting shed when the carpenter she’d meant to call for an estimate parked in back.
He greeted her with a cheerful smile. “Mr. Moore asked me to fix up the shed better than new and send him the bill.”
“I’d planned to call you too, but thanks for coming so soon. We’ve emptied the shed, but if anything is still in your way, just let me know.”