Page 100 of Fierce-Ivan

Once he’d said that, she’d said it would be a waste and he’d lose money if he canceled. He figured she’d say that and didn’t feel guilty over the way he played it either.

He needed this time away with her in more ways than one.

“You’re welcome. It seemed you had a good time.”

Her hand reached over and lay on his thigh. “I had a wonderful time and you know it. As I said, we never went on any vacations when I was a kid.”

“Not even before your mother started to lose her sight?”

“No,” she said. “My parents did a lot of things on their own. My father would go away with his friends on sports weekends or something. Fishing maybe, going to watch football. My mother never did. She stayed with me and she and I did things. Looking back, I wish she could have done more before she lost her sight.”

“You can’t go back and change things. Maybe we can take her somewhere,” he said. “Do you think she’d like that if she went with us? You’d feel more comfortable too I’m sure.”

Kendra smiled tenderly at him. “I would, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You aren’t asking, I’m offering,” he said and turned to get out of the car.

He was happy with the way things were going and didn’t want any setbacks.

And that meant today too. Thankfully, there was more attention on the kids’ birthdays and less on him so he should be good in terms of his aunt not bugging him too much.

He hoped.

“I can’t believe your aunt won’t let anyone bring anything to this party,” she said.

“Many have tried over the years. No reason to even ask anymore. The beer and food are coming from the brewery and the pub. I’m sure Aiden, Liam and Margo were there doing most of it first thing. They would have brought it all here to be finished or set up.”

“What do they make?” she asked.

“They try to keep it simple. There will be burgers and hot dogs that will be grilled later tonight. Lots of salads to go with it. Pulled pork and sausage and peppers were probably made at the pub along with a bunch of other things. I don’t even keep track other than what I normally eat. It’s way more food than they need.”

“Your family is just so generous,” she said.

“They are.”

They got to his aunt’s house and walked to the backyard, immediate family there and mingling. The kids were running all over the yard and his brother came and pulled him aside.

“Hey,” Devin said. “Sorry, but I wanted to talk to you first alone.”

“What’s going on?” he asked. It couldn’t be anything serious with the way Devin was grinning. Kendra continued to walk away.

“You can thank me later, but I’m going to take the pressure off you today. Aunt Jolene is telling everyone she is hoping for an engagement today.”

“What?” he asked. “Are you serious?”

“How slow can you be?” Devin asked. “Everyone moves fast and you’re not. She’s going nuts. I didn’t think you would have heard it. Or maybe she only said it to Mom and I heard it and wasn’t supposed to.”

“No engagement,” he said.

“You did go away with Kendra and we know how much you don’t do those things. I think Aunt Jolene thought you might have proposed.”

“Not even close,” he said. “I was thrilled to get her away for four days. Rings aren’t even in my mind.”

Which was a lie because he had been thinking of a future with Kendra and had been researching diamonds, qualities, prices and so on. Quick searches for now. Was it cheaper to buy one made? Have one made? Go to a big jewelry store chain or something smaller?

He wasn’t sure when the right time would be, but he’d be prepared when it came.

“I figured as much,” Devin said. “Just wanted to forewarn you.”