Say You'll Marry Me

“I know.”

The note of respect in her quiet voice surprised him. She’d been so adamant about helping, but maybe she was finally starting to get that it was something he had to do himself.

“Um, I also have a favor to ask. Gram keeps insisting she needs to go into town tomorrow to pick up Sweet Pea’s new bed.”

“I thought she and Al did that today?”

“They did. She probably won’t remember in the morning, but if she does, can you come with us? Grandpa has the veteran’s brat fry at Festival Foods in Green Bay all day. I thought if you were with me and Gram, it might keep her more grounded on wedding stuff. We could go to Coffee to Chai For and do some impromptu cake tasting and hopefully distract her enough to forget about the bed.”

“I won’t turn down cake,” he said by way of agreement.

“Thanks.”

“Sure. Just let me know.”

Pretending in town with her would be interesting. Tara and Jenny knew their engagement wasn’t real, so it stood to reason anyone else in that crowd would also know. He’d be curious to see how they reacted to the ruse.

“Well, I guess I should let you go,” Joy said. “You’re probably ready for bed after a long day.”

Her voice saying the word bed conjured up too many enticing ideas. However, he did find he didn’t want to hang up so fast. “Actually, I’m not even tired.”

He held his breath as he waited to see if she’d stay on the line.

“Me neither.” She sounded relieved. “Some days are a little harder than others with Gram, and it takes a while to unwind and fall asleep. Plus, I really wanted to talk to you; make sure we’re okay.”

“We’re okay,” he assured her.

“Good. I almost drove over, but didn’t want to bother you if you were busy.”

His pulse gave an excited leap. If she’d have driven over, they’d have both ended up bothered. And hot. He’d have made sure of it. As it was now, he turned down the radio and went back outside to let the night air cool his libido.

“No bother. I’d have put you to work.”

“Shoveling manure no doubt.”

He smiled at the humor in her voice and settled into his dad’s rocking chair again. “No. Tractor was acting up. You could’ve handed me tools.”

“I’ll give you hand you tools. I probably could’ve fixed it faster than you.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I grew up on the ranch, Logan. I may be a granddaughter, but my grandpa raised a son before me. He made sure I could operate and do minor repairs on every piece of machinery he owns. I am nothing like the girl you think I am.”

So she kept proving at every turn. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he murmured.

“Make sure you do.”

The admonishment had him smiling again as he pushed with his bare foot to get the chair rocking. “So…that dress you were wearing earlier…”

“Oh, come on. You gotta bring that up?”

He heard the wince in her voice. “You really thought I wouldn’t?”

“I’d hoped. Then again, I suppose it’s better you ask than think I’m obsessed with getting married.”

“Are you?”

“No. It was a bad morning with Grandma. After Grandpa brought her back home, I was desperate for a distraction.”