Page 27 of Holiday Promise
“I know that look. It’s not nothing,” she laughed. “What are you planning?”
“Planning? I’m not planning anything.” He chuckled, tearing his gaze away from her. “I’m just happy.”
Melody leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m happy, too.” They continued skating, and she sighed. “Do you remember where we were this time last year?”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll never forget it.”
“Any regrets?”
Blake stopped and peered down at her. “Regrets? What kind of regrets?”
She shrugged. “Our relationship didn’t quite start out the way a normal one would.”
This time he laughed. “And what would you call normal? People fall in love in all sorts of ways. Sometimes it happens naturally, sometimes two people are thrust together against their better judgement.”
Melody tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. “And which one would you say we are?”
He grasped her chin with his finger and thumb before brushing a kiss to her lips. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Her eyes fluttered, her coy smile tempting him to steal another kiss.
“Dad,” Max groaned behind Melody. “You promised.”
Blake stiffened as Melody turned to look at his son.
She glanced at Blake with questions in her eyes. “What promise?”
Max folded his arms, pouting. “You promised you wouldn’t ask her without my help.”
Once again, Melody shot a confused look in Blake’s direction.
Blake shook his head and waved his arm, but it was too late.
Max skated toward them and held out his hand. “You said I could give it to her. It’s my turn.”
“Not yet, kiddo. We haven’t?—”
Max tugged on Melody’s coat. “My dad said I could help ask you. But he didn’t wait for me. So I get to give you the ring.”
Melody let out a laugh as Blake groaned.
He dragged a hand down his face. “I told you we would do it at home after ice skating. I haven’t asked her anything yet.”
For a moment, Max didn’t seem to understand that he’d let the cat out of the bag. Then the realization hit him. His brows puckered and he shifted his wide gaze to Melody. His lips formed an ‘o’, then he turned as red as the poinsettias that dotted the harbor.
Melody laughed again, then set an apologetic smile on Blake. “I guess the cat is out of the bag.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you know what Melody is talking about, Max?”
To his credit, Max shook his head, but it wasn’t enough.
“Okay, you guys. You might as well get on with it. I can’t think of a more perfect place, nor a more perfect time.” She skated a few feet away from him, turning as she got to Max’s side. Folding her arms, she gave Blake a pointed look. “Well? You promised him. What do we say about breaking promises, Max?”
His son’s eyes darted from Melody to Blake. Then his face reddened further.
Blake laughed. “I think we’ve been found out, buddy.” He shoved his hand into the inside pocket of his coat. His fingers wrapped around the small box he’d had for the last four months. “You don’t know how hard it was to hold on to this and not give it to you the day I bought it.”
Her eyes widened as Blake lowered himself onto the ice. People who were nearby stopped their skating as Blake motioned for Max to approach. “Well? What are you waiting for? This is your part.”