Page 81 of Hallows End
I smile and look back down at the ring sitting on my index finger. “I’m grateful, Xander.”
“And you’re welcome. We need to get together soon. All of us. I received a call from Miss Sophia the other night when she couldn’t reach Lucy. It’s nothing urgent, but it’s information we didn’t have before.”
“We will see you soon, then.”
“Have a good day.”
He stops to talk with Lucy for a moment on his way out, and then he’s gone.
I can’t stop staring at the gift he gave me. I had thought this lost long ago, and it astounds me that it wasn’t.
“What did Xander want?” Lucy asks after escorting a customer out. “You two had your heads together.”
I look into her eyes and grin as I tuck the ring away. I may not have proposed with great finesse last night, but I plan to do better when I present her with the ring.
“He’d like for us to get together soon so he can share some information, and he wanted to congratulate us.”
“Yeah, he said so when he stopped by me, as well. That’s nice of him. I feel kind of bad that I didn’t invite him to join us last night since he’s been a part of my life for a really long time. But I didn’t want to make Lorelei uncomfortable.”
“I think he understands that it was just family and spur-of-the-moment.”
“You’re right.” She grins and presses her lips to mine. “My husband is so smart.”
“Is that so?”
She’s still chuckling when someone clears their throat behind her.
“How can I help you?” she asks as she turns.
“I need something to help me sleep,” the young woman says. “I’m in college, and my classes have me so stressed out that I have insomnia.”
“I have just the thing for you,” Lucy assures her as they take off to discuss the woman’s options.
I haven’t let Lucy out of my sight all day. While I don’t feel anything sinister here, and Idothink she’s safe, I won’t take any chances.
After she collects the money for the bedtime tea she just sold, Lucy turns to Delia. “I have to run into the kitchen to check on some things. Can you handle this for fifteen minutes?”
“Of course,” Delia assures her. “I’ll call if it gets too busy.”
“Thanks.” With a grateful smile, Lucy walks through the doorway to the kitchen, and I follow behind her, ready to relocate to the kitchen table, under which Nera snores loudly.
He’s slept all day, likely still recovering from all the activities of late.
Lucy turns quickly, bumps into my chest, and then takes a deep breath.
“Okay. I love you.”
“And I love you.”
“And I think it’s really, really sweet that you’re watching over me because you feel that you need to protect me.”
“Idoneed to protect you.”
“Jonas, you’re hovering.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I beg your pardon?”
“You’rehovering.I need you to take a breath for a bit. You’ve been glued to me for almost a week. I’m not complaining. I appreciate you so, so much—”