Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
M aggie had just finished helping Oliver in the kitchen, sharing her scone recipe for him to modify the way he wanted. Once she was done, Maggie wrote in her journal for a bit before heading out for her daily beach walk with Chelsea.
It was a sunny morning, the kind that usually lifted her spirits, but something felt off. Maybe it was the fact that Chelsea hadn’t shown up for their usual coffee and scones session. Or perhaps it was the lingering concern in Chelsea’s eyes when they last spoke. Either way, Maggie decided she’d swing by Chelsea’s place after her walk just to check in.
She was about to leave when her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she saw Steven’s name pop up.
“Maggie, good morning!” he said.
“Steven, this is a surprise. Good morning to you, too. What’s up?” she replied.
“I need your help with something.” Steven said, his tone suddenly more serious.
Maggie’s curiosity piqued. “Sure, what’s going on? Is everything all right?”
There was a brief pause before Steven continued, “I’m planning to propose to Chelsea…at Christmas.”
Maggie’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but let out a little squeal of excitement.
“Steven, that’s wonderful! I knew you two were meant to be. So, what’s the plan? How can I help?”
“Thanks, I need your help picking out the ring. I want it to be perfect, something she’ll love. Who better to help me with that than her best friend?”
Maggie’s heart swelled with joy. “You’re right, I know her taste. When are we doing this, and can we make it happen in time? You’ve only got a week.”
“I’m actually in town today, but Chelsea doesn’t know it, so don’t mention that I’m around. I managed to carve out some time, and I was hoping we could go this afternoon, if you’re free?”
Maggie glanced at her watch. “I can be free, what time?”
“How does two o’clock sound?”
“Two works for me. Why don’t you meet me here at the inn?”
“I’ll be there. And Maggie, thanks so much for doing this, I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime, Steven. And don’t worry, we’ll make sure she gets the proposal of her dreams.”
After hanging up, Maggie felt a surge of excitement. This was big—huge, even. She was so thrilled for Chelsea and couldn’t wait to see the look on her best friend’s face when Steven proposed.
Chelsea put her paintbrush down and stared at the canvas in front of her. The scent of the sea drifted in through the screened-in lanai, mingling with the faint aroma of turpentine and oil paint. What should have been a perfect morning after the rain—her favorite time to paint—Chelsea couldn’t stay focused.
Lifting the paintbrush again, she tapped the handle against her lip, sighing in frustration. Normally, by this time, she’d be deep into her work, losing herself in the vibrant colors and sweeping strokes that had become her signature style. But today, her thoughts kept drifting back to Steven. The man, against all odds, managed to slip past the guarded walls she’d built around her heart after Carl’s death.
She put the brush down and rubbed her temples.
“Get a grip, Chelsea,” she muttered to herself, though it did little to settle the gnawing worry in the pit of her stomach.
Steven had always been busy, but lately, his schedule seemed more hectic than ever. He’d been away for the last couple of weeks, traveling for his business, and their conversations had become more and more sporadic. At first, she’d told herself not to worry. He was just tied up with work. But now, with each passing day, the fear that he was pulling away grew stronger.
The doorbell rang, breaking her from her spiraling thoughts.
She made her way to the door, her bare feet padding softly against the hardwood floor. When she opened it, she found Maggie standing there holding a large thermos, a brown paper bag, and her dog, Lexi, on a leash attached to her arm.
“What in the world? Why didn’t you just come around back?” Chelsea asked.
“Because Lexi pulled me up your front stairs, that’s why,” Maggie explained.
Lexi pulled away from Maggie and ran inside Chelsea’s house. Chelsea ran to the second floor and closed the bedroom door.
“What was that all about?” Maggie asked.
“That dog of yours scares the heck out of my cat. It’s bad enough that Stella won’t come out from under the bed most of the time. I don’t want her traumatized.”
Lexi stood outside Chelsea’s bedroom and cried.
“Get down here,” Maggie yelled. “Come on, Lexi.”
The little pup ran down the stairs and returned obediently to Maggie.
“You didn’t come by the inn this morning. I was worried about you, so I thought I’d bring the coffee and some scones, right out of the oven.”
“You made scones?” Chelsea asked.
Maggie shook her head, “Nope, Oliver made these, and I think we’re going to love them. I haven’t had one yet.”
Chelsea opened the bag under her nose and breathed in the aroma. Oliver had been in the kitchen all morning baking several variations of scones.
“Oliver wants our opinion on which is the best,” Maggie said, peering into the bag. “He made glazed cinnamon, blueberry and cherry, almond cranberry, strawberry scones and ginger glazed mango scones. I cut each one in half so you and I can test all three.”
“Let me get two mugs and we can sit out on the lanai. Don’t let Lexi eat any scones, or I’ll give her a one-way ticket back to the inn,” Chelsea teased.
“Come on, Lexi. Let’s go, girl,” Maggie said, tapping her leg.
Lexi’s run looked more like a trot, and for a little dog, she was fast, making her way to the lanai before Maggie.
Chelsea followed behind with two mugs, and then Maggie poured their coffee and settled in on the outdoor sofa.
“What are you going to paint?” Maggie asked.
Chelsea chuckled. “Your guess is as good as mine. I thought I would paint that vase of flowers on the table, but for some reason, I can’t seem to start.”
Lexi jumped onto a chair before Chelsea got to it.
Looking at Lexi, she said, “Hey, around here that’s my chair.” Chelsea pointed to a different chair, and Lexi jumped down and moved to it.
“Thank you,” Chelsea responded as Lexi seemed to sense she wasn’t going to be spoiled while visiting Chelsea.
“What’s the problem?” Maggie asked.
Chelsea looked off in the distance and sighed. “I think Steven is going to break up with me.”
“What? No way. That man is crazy about you. Besides, I think this is just nerves with you. You felt the same way about Sebastian at one point, and the next thing you know, the man proposes. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Do you remember Steven had us looking at houses on Sanibel and Captiva for him? He was all set to move into a bigger place and spend more time at home than on the road.”
“I remember, what about it?”
“Don’t you remember he changed his mind?”
Maggie nodded. “Yes, I thought he said something about buying land instead and building one of his sustainable container homes.”
“That’s what he said at the time. Now, he’s not going to move at all. He said he’s better off not buying a bigger property while he’s still traveling so much.”
“And you think that means he’s not settling down at all? I’m not sure I’m following you. What does that matter to you? You both have found a relationship that works for you, why change it? You sound like you want to get married again. Is that what you’re saying?”
Chelsea shrugged. “I don’t know, it’s a feeling I can’t explain. I feel him pulling away, and I’m scared. I’ve never been scared like this before. What do you think it means?”
Maggie laughed. “I think it means you’re in love with Steven and want to spend the rest of your life with him. That’s what I think it means, but it doesn’t matter what I think. It’s what you think that’s important.”
Chelsea’s voice, almost a whisper, answered Maggie’s question.
“Maggie, I think I want to marry Steven. I mean, the happily ever after thing, for real this time. I’m shocked to hear myself say this. I never thought this day would come, not after all the years I had with Carl. But I think I’m ready.”
Maggie smiled. She had to pinch herself to keep Steven’s surprise to herself.
“Then talk to him about it, Chelsea. You and I both know what problems arise when communication stops. You’ve got to tell him how you feel.”
Chelsea shook her head. “If I do that, he’ll try to reassure me, but that doesn’t mean things are fine between us. He could be telling me what I want to hear, which solves nothing.”
Maggie laughed. “Chelsea, do you hear yourself? Talking to the man you love about your feelings is a waste of time? If that’s true, then you don’t have the relationship you think you have.”
“What if he doesn’t feel the same way about me?” Chelsea said, sounding like a high school girl with a crush on a popular boy.
Maggie smiled. “Trust me, Chelsea. He does. Now, can we please test these scones?”
Lexi had been sleeping on the chair, but the minute she heard the word scone, she sat up.
Chelsea looked at the pup and pointed a finger.
“Forget about it. They’re not for doggies.”
They enjoyed all three scones, but both Maggie and Chelsea thought the ginger glazed mango scones were the best.
Maggie was glad she had brought the scones, as they gave her the perfect excuse to talk to Chelsea. Hearing her friend confirm what Maggie had always suspected—that she and Steven were madly in love—filled her with joy. Maggie couldn’t wait to see her best friend marry the man of her dreams.
Steven arrived at the Key Lime Garden Inn just before two, looking slightly disheveled but determined. Maggie had updated Paolo with the news of the upcoming proposal, and the two men shook hands at the news.
“Maggie and I are thrilled about this Steven. Chelsea is a wonderful woman. We wish the very best for both of you.”
“Thank you, Paolo.”
Maggie put her hand on Steven’s shoulder. “Are you ready for this?”
“I’m ready.”
Maggie led the way to her car, and they headed toward a small exclusive jeweler she knew in Sanibel. The shop was quaint, tucked away from the main streets, with a reputation for exquisite, unique pieces—just the kind of place that would have something perfect for Chelsea.
“Being an artist, Chelsea likes jewelry that is different, something no one else would have for an engagement ring,” Maggie explained.
As they entered the store, the jeweler, a charming elderly man, greeted them warmly. Maggie and Paolo had shopped there for her engagement ring and recommended them to everyone they knew.
“Maggie! It’s been too long,” he said, shaking her hand. His eyes twinkled as he turned to Steven. “And who is this?”
“Mr. Johansson, this is my friend, Steven Ellis Thompson. He is going to propose to my best friend, Chelsea. Do you remember Chelsea?”
“Oh my goodness, yes. How can I forget your sweet friend? Nice to meet you, Mr. Thompson, you are a lucky man to marry Chelsea Marsden.”
“Thank you, I think so too, that is, if she says yes.”
They all laughed, but Maggie could see Steven was a little nervous about the prospect of a rejection.
Trying to reassure him that all would go the way he wanted, Maggie said, “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.”
“Well, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s see what we can find for you.”
Mr. Johansson brought out tray after tray of rings, each more dazzling than the last. Maggie could see the wheels turning in Steven’s head, the pressure mounting. She decided to step in.
“Chelsea’s style is elegant, but not flashy. She loves things with meaning, something that feels timeless,” Maggie said, guiding Mr. Johansson with her insights.
Mr. Johansson nodded, setting aside a few options before presenting a ring that caught Maggie’s eye immediately. It was a simple yet stunning design—an emerald-cut diamond set in a platinum band, with small, intricate details along the sides that added a touch of vintage charm.
Maggie held the ring in her hand. “This one,” she said softly, turning to Steven. “It’s perfect.”
Steven studied the ring, his brow furrowed in concentration. “You think so?”
Maggie nodded. “It’s everything Chelsea loves. It’s classic, elegant, and a little bit different.”
He smiled. “Just like her.”
He picked up the ring, turning it in the light. He smiled, a genuine smile that lit up his face. “You’re right. This is it. Now, we only have one problem. I don’t know her ring size.”
Maggie put the ring on her finger. “Chelsea’s ring finger is larger than mine; I know because I’ve tried on her rings before. It’s not an exact measurement, but it should be close enough for the proposal.”
“We can resize it after if we need to,” Mr. Johansson said. “It’s a fine choice, indeed. She’s a lucky lady.”
Steven looked at Maggie, his expression softening. “I’m the lucky one.”
Maggie felt a lump in her throat and felt a wave of happiness wash over her. This was going to be a Christmas to remember, not just for Chelsea and Steven, but also for everyone who loved them.