Burning with Passion

‘My wedding. David and I are going to be married.’

‘When?’

‘About six months.’

‘Six months?’ David queried critically. ‘I was thinking of two.’

‘Be patient,’ Caitlin reproved him sternly. ‘I have to be satisfied that you’re sure about what you’re doing.’

She also wanted time to win Mrs Hartley’s trust and confidence. She hoped to coax David’s mother into meeting her parents, widening her world a little. It could not be done in days or weeks, but perhaps by the end of six months there could be many changes in perception.

‘Well,’ said her mother, stunned. She quickly recovered her voice. ‘Well, I must say I didn’t take to him at first, but he’s very handsome. And your father thought highly of him. Not that your father understands these matters. And David is certainly very capable at organising things well. I hope you’ll be very happy, Caitlin. As happy as your father and I.’

‘Thanks, Mum. Two Ferraris at the wedding would look good, you know.’

‘Yes. I think your father will have to have one, even if it does annoy Trevor and Michelle.’ Her mother’s voice fell to a doleful tone. ‘Michelle is pregnant again. You know how she gets once she’s pregnant.’

‘Congratulate them both for me. I’ll ring them, as well.’

‘She won’t be able to be your matron of honour at the wedding, Caitlin. I know you’ll be disappointed at that.’

‘What a shame!’ Caitlin said, and crossed her fingers. ‘David and I weren’t planning a big wedding anyway.’

‘We’re not?’ David asked, completely surprised.

‘No, we’re not,’ Caitlin said very definitely.

David’s mother might be persuaded to attend a small, intimate wedding. And from there...well, she could come to their country retreat for weekends and get introduced to the wonderful world of horses.

‘You are going to be a proper bride,’ her mother said anxiously.

‘Yes, Mum. Now why don’t you go and pay for Dad’s Ferrari? He’ll be so happy. Time is passing by. You might as well enjoy yourselves. Spend whatever you need on doing whatever you like.’

‘You’re right, Caitlin. It would make your father happy,’ she said decisively. ‘When will we be seeing you and David?’

‘After we buy the ring. I’ll let you know, Mum. Buying a ring is almost as difficult as buying a property.’

‘I know that, dear.’

‘Bye for now.’ She put down the phone.

‘An emerald, a sapphire or a diamond,’ David mused. ‘Emeralds match your eyes. Sapphires demonstrate your sparkle and fire. Diamonds are forever.’

Her eyes sparkled at him as they would forever. ‘You’ve been redeemed in my mother’s eyes. She thinks you are not totally bad.’

He laughed. ‘An improvement on the thoughts of the German delegation.’

Caitlin slid her hands around his neck and swayed her body close to his. ‘I used to think that loving you was like dancing with the devil.’

‘Let me waltz you off your feet, my love,’ he said, spinning her into the bedroom.

* * *

Some considerable time later, Caitlin finally got around to asking, ‘David, what are you going to do now you’re not running the business?’

‘Develop new designs. I’ve been thinking about it for some time. I enjoy the creative side, Caitlin.’

‘How am I going to help?’