“Thanks. Jake will be right in.”
He kissed my cheek and slipped by, heading toward Jake. “Hey, man. Glad you got back safe.”
I stamped the snow from my boots, brushed down my coat, and stepped inside, immediately assailed by those wonderful smells of the holidays; fresh baking, cinnamon, and the tangy sweetness of Marisol’s homemade apple cider.
A little head peek around the corner, and an adorable toddler charged toward me, pursued by Dara.
“Darling, let Amara get in the door.” Dara scooped Sari up and peppered her rosy cheeks with kisses. “I’m so glad you made it back. They’re calling for several centimetres this afternoon.” She grimaced. “My parents are flying in from Toronto tomorrow morning.”
“It’s really coming down, so I hope their flight is on time.” I took Sari, hugging and kissing the squirming toddler. “Were you good for Auntie Dara?”
The girl nodded, and the moment I set her on her feet, she beelined straight for the family room, the clatter of blocks following seconds later.
“Talk about a bundle of energy. Where’s the off switch?” Dara reached for me. “You’re positively glowing,” she whispered. “Is it from being in love, or from being loved up? Either way, you look fantastic.”
“So do you.” I followed her to the kitchen, keeping the diamond hidden in my palm.
Marisol bustled toward me. “Thank goodness, I worried about you two. Did you have fun?”
“The bed and breakfast was fantastic. Better than I remembered.” I wrapped the petite dark-haired woman in a warm embrace. “Thank you for watching Sari overnight.”
“I love that little monkey to death.” Tía patted my cheek. “Oh, the pies!” She hurried into the kitchen as Dean appeared.
Jake entered moments later, with a bag that looked suspiciously like the ones from the Sou’Wester gift shop tucked at his side. He grinned as his daughter launched herself at him, motioning furiously. “I missed you too, Starfish.”
“Jakob.” I wagged a finger. “I thought you said—”
“That I didn’t buy any crap.” He pulled out a sturdy wooden ship and gave it to Sari. “I couldn’t resist. It looks like my research vessel, and it’s locally made.”
“Oh!” Dara’s gasp made me turn. “The baby kicked. Feel this.” She grabbed my hand and guided it to the left. “Wait for it … there!”
A little lump travelled under my hand, and I followed it until it disappeared. “That’s neat, but freaky.” Cupping both palms over her belly, I leaned close and said, “I can’t wait to meet you, baby.”
“What’s that?” Dara stared at me.
“What?” I straightened as she turned my left hand.
“Ohhhh.” Her eyes widened as she examined the ring. “It’s gorgeous. You’re engaged?” She fanned her face, blinking furiously before bursting into tears. “You’re getting married.”
“Awww, Bunny, don’t cry.” Dean cuddled his wife against his chest. “Damn hormones,” he mouthed over her head, then winked at me. “About damn time.”
Marisol beamed at me, but soon turned her sparkling eyes toward her nephew. “That’s wonderful. Jakob, have you phoned your sister? Amara, your parents must be thrilled. When is the wedding? Oh! We should have the ceremony at Saint Mary’s.”
My heart raced as I stood in the middle of the room, practically wilting under the weight of the attention. Already it started, less than a day after I’d said yes, and my muscles tensed, ready to vault me into rapid flight.
“Tía, relax.” Jake motioned downward with flattened palms. “Everybody, calm down. Dates, venues … that can wait. Let us catch our breath.”
I hurtled across the room, flinging open the door and rushing into the snow in my socks. Hunched over the railing, I sucked for air, swallowing hard. In … one … two …
The door behind me thunked, and Jake draped a blanket over my shoulders, then crouched and worked my feet into Dara’s fleece-lined leather slippers. “Better?” He wrapped an arm around me, drawing me close.
“Just tired. It was stuffy in there. And hot. Wasn’t it hot?”
“More overwhelming, but close enough.” His gentle kiss to my temple almost brought me to tears. “Is this rushing?”
“No,” I said, examining the delicate beadwork on the toes of the slippers, “but being engaged feels strange. Marrying again is pure craziness. My relationships have all ended in disaster.”
“It’ll be different this time. Life may not be glamorous, with few jet-setting holidays, but we’ll be happy.” He ran his thumb over my ring. “I wish I could give you more.”
“Are you kidding? It’s gorgeous. Perfect.” I wrapped my fingers around his. Just looking at this lovely ring filled me with a happy glow. “You know me, Jake. This,” I wiggled my fingers, “proves just how well. Someone was paying attention.”
“Well, all those bridal magazines with the dog-eared pages, and those markings in the jewellery catalogues worked.”
“That was years ago.” I laughed, but still, it was impressive that he remembered. “Dara and I sure obsessed over the big white wedding with the perfect dress, didn’t we?”
“Oh, yeah.” He chuckled. “Current issues of those magazines popped up again when Dean and Dara got engaged. I’m prepared for my fate. Bring it on.”
“I guess, since we can’t disappoint Tía or my mother. You saw the way she lit up last night during the video chat.”
“What can I say? Your mother loves me.”
“She likes you more than she likes me. Anyway, she’s probably planning the guest list. What do you want to bet she’s already checked availability at the top five venues in Toronto?”
“Wait. Isn’t the big white wedding the ultimate dream?”
I shook my head. “Stupid, right? Dara’s wedding was amazing, but it was over the top.”
“Glad it wasn’t just me thinking that. Dean complained about their wedding turning into a runaway train. He and Dara fought constantly and spent way too much money to make their families happy.” His lips set in a grim line. “They almost didn’t make it to the altar.”
“I’m glad they did. They’re happy, aren’t they?”
“Deliriously. And we’ll join them.” He held up his fist. “United front. We do it our way.”
Curling my fingers tight, I bumped them against his.
