Knitting Under the Influence

that a great idea?”

Kathleen stared at him. “You're kidding, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“It sounds like a nightmare. All of you on top of each other, no privacy, no freedom-”

“I told you, it's very private.”

“Not if your whole family's there.”

Kevin laughed. “Kathleen, I like my family. And my parents aren't getting any younger. I like the idea of being able to keep an eye on them.” The waitress approached their table, and they ordered.

Once she was gone, Kathleen leaned forward. “Kevin, seriously. Think about this. You already work for the family business. You spend all of your holidays and most of your vacations with your family. Do you really want to live with them, too?”

“Honestly? I think it sounds fantastic.” The waitress brought their coffees over and he shook a sugar bag before ripping it open and pouring it in. “I mean, I could see my parents and brothers whenever I felt like seeing them, but still escape to my own house whenever I wanted to be alone. Or, you know… with my wife.” There was a slight pause. “Whoever she might be.”

Kathleen shifted back in her chair, poured some cream in her coffee, took a sip and said, “She'd have to really like spending time with your family.”

“I guess so,” he said. “Or at least be willing to learn to.” There was another pause. Then: “Did I tell you Dad wants to build an enormous pond? It's the coolest part of this whole plan-it would touch on everyone's separate property, so you could actually swim from one yard to the other. Or kayak. How much would kids love that? Tons of cousins all growing up together, kayaking around, visiting each other, like a family of otters or something. Doesn't that sound great?”

“Yeah,” she said.

“And you're such a good swimmer…”

She didn't say anything.

“Kathleen,” Kevin said, and she raised her head to look at him. His temples were shiny with sweat. “Kathleen, all this talk last night about building homes and families and all that-it made me realize how much I want to start building my own family.”

“Building?”

“You know what I mean. I’m thirty-four years old. I’m ready to be a dad. It's all I’ve been thinking about lately. How much I want kids and a family.”

“You'd be a nice dad,” she said.

“I’m glad you think so. Because I don't think I’d be feeling that way if I hadn't found someone who I want to have those kids with.”

She took a deep breath. “Me.”

“You.” He reached over and took her hand in his. “I should have a ring to give you,” he said. “I wish I did. But we could go right now and buy one together. Have our breakfast and then go straight to Tiffany's. What do you say?”

She stared at him, wondering if she had heard him right, knowing she had. Kevin Porter-man of millions-was asking her to marry him. This was what she had wanted all along. Wasn't it? Shouldn't she be feeling excited and triumphant? All she really felt was suddenly and overwhelmingly exhausted-too tired to know how to react. “Wow,” she said.

“Will you marry me, Kathleen?”

She opened her mouth to answer but realized she didn't have an answer. So she closed it again. Then she realized she had to say something, so she said, “I think I need a minute. I’m sorry. I just… It's a big surprise.”

“I know,” he said. “I know it's sudden.”

“It's amazing,” she said. “And sweet. But-” She stopped.

“Sudden.”

“Yeah.” She detached her hand from his. “I just need to think. Give me a second, will you? I’ll be right back.” She took her purse off the back of her chair and crossed through the restaurant to the ladies’ room. She glanced back as she closed the door. Kevin was staring at his coffee mug. She locked the door behind her and fished her cell phone out of her purse. She paced around the small, cold room as she dialed.

“Hello?”

“Oh, good, there you are,” Kathleen said. “Kevin proposed to me. Just now, over breakfast. One second we were talking about real estate and the next he was asking me to marry him.”

“Whoa!” Sari said. “You're kidding!”

“I’m really not.”

“So did you say yes?”

“Why?” Kathleen said. “Do you think I should?”

“Don't ask me Haven't you answered him yet?”

“I said I needed a minute to think about it.” Kathleen leaned against the locked door. “You have to tell me what to do, Sari. Should I say yes or no? Or maybe? I think I could put him off for a while without completely discouraging him-”

“God, Kathleen, I don't know! I can't decide for you. Do you love him? Do you want to marry him?”

“I don't know. How do people know something like that for surer?”

“Why are you asking me?” Sari said. “Me, of all people? I’ve never been proposed to. I don't even have a boyfriend. Ask someone who's married.”

“You're the only person I trust. Come on, Sari, help me out.”

“If you really want my advice, I think you should ask him to wait. Tell him you love him but you're not sure yet whether you're ready to settle down. Buy yourself some time.”

“Okay,” Kathleen said. “That's a good idea. Thanks. How was dinner at your parents’?”

“It was horrible.”

“What happened?”

Sari laughed. “Kathleen, somewhere not far from you there's a man waiting to hear whether the girl of his dreams is going to marry him or not. Do you really want to hear about my miserable Thanksgiving?”

“Yes. I really do.”

“Then call me later. I feel for Kevin, even if you don't.”

When she came back to the table, Kevin was half turned in his chair, watching for her. The waitress had brought their food, but he hadn't taken a bite.

“So?” he said, trying to keep his voice casual. “Any decisions?”

“Not yet.” She slid into her chair and took a deep breath. “Here's the thing… I think I probably do want to marry you. But I’m not ready to say it for sure. Not yet.”

He reached around the plates for her hand and squeezed it. “I know. I sprang this on you pretty suddenly. I mean, I was up all night thinking about it, but for you, it's been all of five minutes.”

“I probably just have to get used to the idea. I’ve been single all my life, you know.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said. There was a pause. Then, “Want to go to Hawaii with me?”

She laughed. “You're full of offers today. When were you thinking?”

“Now. This afternoon. My parents’ house is right on the beach and the walls on the ocean side are all glass so it's just you and the ocean and the waves. We'd be all alone there-no families, no work, nothing but each other and the most beautiful beach in the world. It's a good place to think about things. And make decisions.” He pressed the back of her hand to his lips. “What do you say, Kath? Will you come with me?”

“How could I say no to that?”

“You can't.” He kissed her hand one more time before releasing it. “And do you know what the waiting period is for a marriage license in Hawaii?”

“No. What?”

He grinned. “There isn't one.”