“I’m going to get ready for bed,” Alonzo announced from behind her.
“OK.” Doreen spoke with her back to him.
“Is everything all right?” Alonzo paused beside her. His eyes sought hers.
“Yes.” Doreen forced a smile. “I’ll be up in a moment.”
Well, that answered her question. She watched Alonzo mount the stairs to her bedroom. When was he going to propose again? Not tonight.
Doreen trailed her lover up the steps. Was he only going to propose once? Had she lost her window of opportunity?
CHAPTER 22
Darius waited while Peyton secured her seat belt in his black Nissan Maxima Friday evening. He’d just met her flight at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and had carried her suitcase back to his car parked in the airport’s short-term lot.
Her copper curls bounced as she connected the safety belt. As though with a will of its own, his hand reached out to touch them.
Peyton looked up in surprise. Her eyes warmed. “Thanks again for meeting my flight.”
“You’re welcome again.” Darius drew his hand back from her hair. His palm tingled where he’d made contact. He started the engine and reversed out of the parking spot.
Darius was relieved to have her back. They’d talked on Christmas Day and texted throughout the week. Still he’d missed her even more than he’d expected. Why? That was a question he’d been asking himself since he’d taken her to the airport last Saturday. Was it because it was Christmas, a time to spend with friends and family? Or did he feel her absence more strongly because his friends had found their soul mates?
Or had he felt lost without her because he’d finally done the impossible—fallen in love?
Peyton pulled out her wallet to pay the parking fee. “Here.” She offered the dollar bills to Darius.
“I’ve got it.” Darius paid the attendant, then merged into traffic.
“I’ll pay you back.” Peyton put away her money and zipped her purse. “How’s my Christmas tree?”
“It’s still fake.”
“But you told me your Christmas was better than you’d expected.”
“Yes, it was.” That still surprised Darius.
“I think my little tree brought you luck.”
“Maybe it did.” He’d humor her. Darius checked his blind spot, then s
witched lanes. “Are you hungry?”
“Not yet but I will be,” Peyton said on a sigh. That was understandable. It was almost six o’clock.
“I’ll fix dinner at my place.” Darius met her gaze. “My parents wrapped up their assignment for the fund-raising committee. We’re two weeks out and everything’s in place.”
“That’s terrific.” The passenger seat rustled as Peyton settled deeper onto it. “I knew your parents would be able to work together if they just tried.”
“You have more faith in them than I do.” Darius tossed Peyton a look. “The ads will start running next week on the local TV news, in the Monitor, and on the radio. Businesses are distributing the fliers to their customers.”
“It’s starting to feel real.” Excitement bounded in Peyton’s voice.
“Yes, it is.” Darius smiled. “Opal Gutierrez is doing a feature story on the event. She’s going to interview Ms. Helen and the center’s director.”
“Terrific.” Peyton snapped her fingers. “Should we give Opal the basic information: committee member names, the evening’s agenda, list of business donors?”
“I gave her that information and told her to call one of us if she has any other questions.”