Chapter 8
Ellie
“Are you sure you’re up for all of this, Ellie? This could be a big undertaking, especially trying to manage this from out of state.”
We’d barely disconnected the call with Harrison and his now fiancé, Harlow, before the enormity of the situation had hit us. Matt’s brother called to share their exciting news, and in almost the same breath asked if we’d come back to Candy Cane Key and cater their wedding. In retrospect, they could’ve been joking. But how could we say no?
Matt and I knew after seeing the two of them together it was only a matter of time before Harrison popped the question. He’s completely smitten with her. And truth be told, it didn’t take long after meeting Harlow before we were too. Not only is she a strong, hard-working single mother, but it’s clear she’s completely devoted to Harrison.
We’d been concerned about what might become of Matt’s brother after losing Carolyn. While Matthew was heartbroken to have lost his mother, he hadn’t devoted his life to caring for her as his older brother, Harrison, had. But it’s clear Harlow is exactly what he needs. She loves him fiercely for the good, kindhearted man he is. Not for what lies in his bank account.
Matt knew Harrison had found his perfect partner as soon as he learned she was a single mom to two little boys. Harlow embodies all of the strength and determination Matt’s mother had displayed during their formative years. She’s not only raising her children while working full-time as Carolyn had, but also manages to get them to the ball field for practices and games, simultaneously setting an example of living in service of others by serving in the National Guard in addition to her nursing career.
“He just lights up when he talks about her, Ellie,” he’d said beaming about his brother’s new found love. From what Matt had shared, Harrison had avoided relationships once it was clear the women he’d dated weren’t interested in sharing his attention with their mother. Any concern they’d shown over here dementia was superficial at best.
“It’s going to be complicated. I mean, managing our restaurant is a full-time job. Trying to arrange the food for a wedding three states away on top of that is a little daunting. Especially on three months’ notice.” But the happy couple seem so happy and easy to please. Harrison is the least stuffy person I know. And Harlow has been married before. She was quick to say this wedding would be small, friends and family only. While I’ll get as much input from the bride as I can, I honestly think they’ll simply be happy to have us preparing the food for their special day, regardless of what we come up with.
Scratching the back of his neck, his brows pinch together at my words. The moment his eyes land on my concerned face, the look of worry quickly transforms to one of encouragement. “Three months will be here in no time, Ellie. But I get it. They want to get married before school starts back up for the kids.” Matt glances away momentarily, staring off into space, before turning back to me. “I know everyone back home will step up to help. Charlene, Salty Jo, and Mrs. Fletcher will gladly pitch in. I’m sure of it. And I’ll do anything I can leading up to the big day,” he says before strolling out of the kitchen toward our bedroom.
Harrison and Harlow had called via video chat as Matt walked in from poker night with the guys from the firehouse, the familiar stench of alcohol and cigar smoke surrounding him like the dirt and dust clouds enveloping Pigpen in the Charlie Brown cartoon. While dressing up and going to the Cigar Bar in town might be sexy, poker night is not . Matt always comes home smelling of cheap bear and pungent herbs.
Don’t get me wrong, a whiff of a good cigar reminds me of my dear old Pops. My grandpa loved a good cigar or a puff from a pipe once in a while. But only when Jo would locate “the good stuff.” And the boys at station 12 were smoking no such thing. Gross . Hearing the shower turn on in the distance allows my thoughts to return to the present.
The big day.
Once alone with my thoughts, the familiar pang of the green-eyed monster falls heavy on my heart. This sensation was commonplace in my youth, always wishing for what the rich girls had. I haven’t acknowledged that ache of jealousy in so long.
‘Til now.
I’m happy for Harrison and Harlow. Really, I am. I’ve let my fast-paced schedule at Elliot’s Hot Chicken distract me from the fact it’s been a year since I moved into Matt’s place with no mention of a ring.
There’s no question Matthew loves me. I feel it every day. He not only cares, but he’s an equal partner in our relationship. I’ve never doubted our commitment to one another. Yet now that I’ve moved in with him, have I given up the chance for a proposal? What had my grandma Joan said when I was a teen? Oh yeah. What man is going to buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
It's not that I think he’s taking me for granted. We’re just both busy, getting settled into our life here in Sycamore. But have we become complacent with our current situation? How did I let this get this far without having a more serious conversation about our plans?
When I moved here a year ago, it was after we’d both talked about wanting to get married and have a family one day. Sure, this was usually while we were naked and cuddling, but the scenario didn’t make the conversation feel any less serious.
Yet since that time, several of Matt’s firefighter brothers have proposed to their girlfriends. Addison and Trevor had been engaged when I moved here, but Alex and Jason had each gotten down on one knee. Knowing a few of them were younger than the two of us only added fuel to the fire.
I know there’s still time for having children. And work has required a lot of my time lately. But have things gotten too comfortable? Have we turned into an old married couple, without the ‘married’ piece of the puzzle?
Realizing the hum of the shower is no longer in the background, I pad down the hall to the bedroom and start to ask Matt that very question.
Until I see him. Already under the covers, lights off.
Not even a kiss goodnight.
* * *
“Ellie, we’re all out of dessert,” Chuck yells.
“Even the banana pudding?”
“That went first.” He laughs. “This town can’t get enough of your cooking. We’re going to have to start prepping more.
“Wow. I thought there was plenty left. Give me a sec and I’ll whip up some berries and cream or something.”
“Good idea. I think we have some lady fingers we can add.”
Wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, I look at the clock. Only a few more hours and I can go home, have a nice soak in the tub with a glass of wine, and hopefully a foot rub from my man. Biting down on my lower lip, I can’t help but inwardly groan at the tempting thought.
As if he’s read my mind, my phone buzzes in my back pocket. Seeing his name light up on the screen, I decide to put my wishes out there. He’s had the day off from the station and spent the day fishing with Jason and Dave. The least he can do is massage my poor overworked feet. Heck, it’ll be easier if he gets in the tub with me. I giggle.
Yet as I focus on his message, my face falls.
8:45 p.m.
Matt: Hey babe. I’m going to catch a beer with the guys tonight. I know you’ve had a long day. Don’t wait up.
What?
Matt works hard. His twenty-four-hour shifts are long and unpredictable. He deserves to spend his days off however he chooses. I’m simply feeling prickly because I rose with the sun and have been working all day without much of a break. Like most days when you run your own business.
Placing my phone onto the counter, I rub small circles with my palm over the center of my chest. But this is more than being overworked and I know it. The worry that our relationship has become too comfortable is niggling at me again.
Shaking my head, I move into the pantry to grab what I need to make dessert for the remaining patrons dining with us tonight. Tapping the pad of my finger against my lower lip, I try to focus on something tangible so my fears won’t run away with me. Gathering some white chocolate to shave over the top of the berries and whipped cream, I grab the luscious lady fingers, turn toward the kitchen island, and get to work. Placing the oblong spongy cakes in the bottom of the serving dish, I carefully spoon blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries on top before adding fresh whipped cream and chocolate. The sweetness will be the perfect juxtaposition to the tart fruit.
“Umm, that looks good.”
I nearly jump ten feet in the air at the feel and sound of Matt’s voice against my ear. “Jeez, Matt. You nearly gave me a heart attack. What are you doing here? I thought you—” Spinning to face him, still shocked he’s here after his text, I’m floored when I see he’s holding a bouquet of pink peonies. My hands fly to my face before I realize whipped cream is dangling from the tips of my fingers. “What are you doing here?”
Matt chuckles. Leaning forward, he kisses my nose before licking each of the dots of white cream from my face. “I wanted to surprise you. You’ve worked hard all day. There’s no way I was going to spend my night with anyone else.”
A tear I hadn’t realized I’d been trying to suppress decides to make its entrance into our conversation.
“Babe. What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry. Ignore me. I’m just tired.”
The look of unease on his face tells me he’s not buying this. And what the hell, Ellie? You’re a strong, tough girl. You haven’t minced words with him before. Why start now? “I think it worried me last night.” A sniffle escapes. “When your brother announced his engagement.” I do a quick inspection of my hands before dabbing away any remaining tears. “That we’d gotten too relaxed in our lifestyle. Like an old married couple.” I pause. “Without the married.”
Matt squats down to make sure we’re at eye level. “Ellie, you know there’s nothing I want more than to marry you, right? Starting this business is a big deal. And while I try to support you around my fire schedule, you’re the heart and soul of this place.” He places a chaste kiss on my lips before swiping the last of the moisture from my cheek. “We could get hitched at the courthouse tomorrow. But I want you to have the wedding of your dreams.”
I throw my arms around him, pushing my face into the curve of his neck. His reassurance is all I need right now. “There’s no hurry. We just hadn’t talked about it in so long… well, I… I wondered if I missed my chance.”
“Ellie Albright, don’t you waste another second worrying about that. I’ve already tried twice.” He laughs.
Placing my hands flat on his solid chest, I push back in amazement, my mouth ajar.
“Yeah. The first time I had the ring in my pocket when Alex proposed to Tuesday. I kept trying to be happy for them, even though they stole my thunder.” He nods to the flowers wrapped in Cygnature Blooms floral paper and gold ribbon. “Tuesday says hi, by the way.”
My eyes spring wide at his confession as Chuck comes into the kitchen reaching for the freshly prepared dessert.
“Then a few months later, I decided to do it here.” He turns to glare at Chuck.
What is that about?
“But this guy had to go down on one knee asking Barb the same damn night.”
“Sorry, man.” He grimaces before turning with the dessert in his hands and making his way toward the pretty dessert plates.
“Matt. I had no idea,” I say reaching out for him.
“I know. I took it as a sign things were too chaotic with the restaurant and that I needed to slow my roll. But never question how much I want you to be my wife, Ellie.”
Flinging my arms back around his neck, I bury my face in his chest. “Is it bad that I wish you had the ring now. Because I can’t imagine any proposal making me as happy as I am at this very moment.” I sniffle.
Matt pulls back, I’m assuming to wipe my tears away and give me another reassuring kiss, but instead he drops down on one knee.
“Oh, my God,” I gasp. “Really?”
“Ellie Albright?” He reaches behind him, pulling a shiny bauble out of his back pocket. “I’ve been walking around with this thing in my pocket just waiting for the right time. Then my damn brother had to call.” His head falls forward in exasperation causing me to chuckle. “I was starting to think it was never going to happen. But then I spent the day with Jason at the lake. That poor guy had the perfect proposal for his girl, and she tore his heart out.”
The thought of that sweet guy getting hurt makes my blood boil. No one deserves that, particularly Jason. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.
“So, I decided. Who needs perfect? I don’t care who else beats me to it?—”
The door to the kitchen flies open as Trevor and Addison bust through. “Ellie, this dessert is?—”
“Get out!” we yell in unison.
“Oh, shit. Sorry man. Get back to it,” Trevor belts out.
“Congratulations, Ellie!” Addison squeals.
“I haven’t asked her yet,” Matt growls, his determined brown eyes still trained on me.
Clutching my sides, I bend over laughing in hysterics. Somehow, I’m sure this wasn’t what he planned. But it couldn’t have been more perfect if Jimmy Dean, was in on the proposal.
The doors to the kitchen swing shut as the two interlopers shuffle back out to the main dining area.
“Ellie?”
“Yeah,” I answer, biting down on my lip to contain my excitement as my strong, tatted high school crush continues to balance on one knee as he lifts the large square cut white gold diamond ring. I’m speechless.
“Quick. Say you’ll marry me before the fire alarm goes off or something.”
Smiling so hard I have happy tears trailing down my cheeks, I bend down, cupping his face, and kiss him. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
Matt slides the ring onto my finger, and we both collapse onto the floor, clutching one another. “So, I was wondering.”
“Hmm?” I ask, my eyes never leaving the sparkling rock as I watch the overhead light bounce off of it.
“I know we’ll have to wait a bit to get hitched. I mean, everyone and their brother is getting married. Literally .”
I giggle. He’s right. Between the boys of the Sycamore Mountain fire station and now Harrison, there are couples lined up to have their big moment.
“But can we start working on the baby making right away?”
Shocked, I abruptly shift to face him. “Wow. Really?”
“We’re not getting any younger.”
“We’re not even thirty.” I snort. “But I’m ready if you are.”
Matt reaches up to run a hand through his hair. “What will you do about the restaurant with a baby?”
“What will we do, you mean?”
He smiles bright.
“Well, we have at least nine months to figure that out.”
“I like the way you think, almost Mrs. Hightower.” He drops his forehead to mine. “Let’s close this popsicle stand and get home. You’re not the only one who’s cooking around here.”
I raise a brow at him, unsure what on earth he’s talking about.
“I need to get some buns in the oven.”
I nearly choke. “Buns? Like more than one?”
He laughs. “What can I say? I’m an overachiever.”