Page 93 of The Healing Garden

“Yes,” she said with a laugh.

The paper tearing commenced.

Anita loved how spontaneous Paula was, and she loved how Wyatt was the opposite—methodical and scheduled and organized. She loved him. Absolutely and completely. She’d confessed her feelings last month, and he’d told her he loved her as well, and it had felt like the most natural thing in the world. After all, they spent almost every day together, including weekends. Either visiting Gramps, taking Carly to a movie or another outing, or sometimes just hanging out at home—preparing dinner together, then watching the sunset from the garden bench.

Wyatt had done ninety-nine percent of the work on building a connecting gate to Phyllis’s backyard, and he even helped Cameron renovate a few things in Phyllis’s house so things would be more accessible as she continued to recover. Cameron and Becky had sold their condo and moved in permanently with Phyllis, bringing plenty of life to the house and neighborhood with their toddler.

Wyatt had finally met Bobby, and it seemed that Bobby was committed to becoming a permanent part of Carly’s life. They saw each other nearly every week, and Carly seemed to enjoy her daddy-daughter dates. She had a sweet relationship with Wyatt as well. They could joke around, but she’d also listen to his advice about more serious things. All in all, gratitude brimmed in Anita’s heart for everyone at this table.

“Wow, I love it, Paula,” Carly declared, holding up a Rubik’s Cube. “My friend Sara is a whiz at these, but now I can practice at home on my own.”

“Happy to hear it,” she said. “Merry Christmas.”

As the others were exclaiming over their gifts and thanking Paula, Anita opened her box to find a gold bracelet interlinked with painted ceramic butterflies. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Paula.”

Paula grinned, then looked at Wyatt and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

He gave a small shake of his head, and she mimed zipping her lips.

“What’s going on with you and Paula?” Anita asked him in a quiet voice. He didn’t have to tell her, but she was too curious not to ask.

“It’s . . .” he began.

“It’s nothing,” Paula said with a wave of her hand. “I mean, it’s something, but not what you’re thinking or what I implied.”

Apparently, everyone had paused in their gift opening to watch and listen.

“Continue,” Paula said. “Ignore everything I say tonight. I’m the worst at keeping secrets.” She shook her head and began to collect the discarded wrappings. “There I go again! Now, who wants to play Scrabble?”

No one answered. Everyone stared at Paula.

“Say something, Wyatt.” She turned her pleading gaze to her brother. “Bail me out here.”

His mouth edged into a smile. Then he looked at Anita. “I was planning on doing this a little later tonight, but I guess there’s no reason to wait. If I do, then Paula will just keep putting her foot in her mouth.”

“What are you talking about?” Anita asked.

He shifted away from her, moved off his chair, and knelt close to her.

Why was he kneeling. Oh . . . She drew in a sharp breath. “Wyatt . . .” she whispered.

Not only had those at the table gone silent, but the entire room had hushed. Did everyone know what was going on but her?

“Anita, you know I love you,” he said quietly, but somehow it seemed to fill the room. “And I’ll keep telling you every day because I love you more than anything else in the world.”

His green eyes were so intense and so full of love that Anita felt tears burn.

“I’d be honored if you’d marry me and become my wife,” he said in that low voice she loved. He took the small box he’d unwrapped earlier, and only now did Anita realize he hadn’t actually opened it. Now, he did.

Inside was a gold ring, inset with a diamond and two rubies. “This was my grandmother’s, and I want the love of my life to wear it.”

Anita’s tears spilled over, and she looked from the ring to Wyatt. His expression was full of that love and devotion she’d come to cherish, come to rely on. “It’s beautiful, Wyatt,” she whispered. “Are you sure about this ring?”

“He has my permission,” Sam said from across the table, his voice cracking. “The ring is meant to be worn, and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather wear Norma’s ring. I’ve never seen my grandson so happy.”

She brushed at the tears on her cheeks.

“If I wasn’t clear before, will you marry me, Anita?” Wyatt asked in a teasing tone.