A Convenient Proposal - By Lynnette Kent Page 0,26

magnolia leaves and holly sprigs, all of them tied with red bows. “I’m sure it’s wonderful at Christmas.”

“Of course. The different church choirs come together on Christmas Eve to sing carols on the courthouse lawn.” He motioned up and down the street. “Folks stroll around with hot cider and cookies, greeting their neighbors. It’s a scene straight out of—”

He broke off, then swore under his breath. “I don’t believe this. Not first thing.”

Arden looked around. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t see anything dangerous, or unusual. Just a pair of women walking toward them on the sidewalk. Mother and daughter, judging from appearances, busy in conversation. Both of them were pretty blondes, well-dressed and with perfect makeup. They didn’t notice Griff until they almost ran into him.

The younger woman looked up at that moment. Her face went white and her jaw dropped. “Oh, my God,” she whispered.

“You know I hate it when you use that expression,” her mother said, still focused on a notepad in her hand. Then she, too, looked at Griff. Arden worried for a second that she might actually faint.

Griff nodded to the older woman. “Hello, Mrs. Talbot. Happy New Year.”

Then he took a deep breath and looked directly at the daughter. “I have somebody I’d like y’all to meet.” Reaching out, he drew Arden close to his side. “This is my new fiancée, Arden Burke.”

His arm felt like iron around her shoulders. “Arden, this is Mrs. Talbot. And my former fiancée, her daughter Zelda.”

Chapter Five

“How do you do?” Arden realized that the phrase really didn’t make much sense in this day and age. But at least she’d said something. “Nice to meet you” really wouldn’t have worked.

Griff’s ex-fiancée was having more trouble. Her gaze had not left his face, except for a brief flicker in Arden’s direction. Her mouth kept opening and closing, reminding Arden of her one visit to Sea World.

Zelda cleared her throat. “Where have you been?” Her voice remained hoarse. “Your family has been worried sick.”

“Thanks for your concern, but we’re all doing well.” Griff’s half smile—in fact, his whole face—seemed frozen. “I understand you’ll be walking down the aisle on Valentine’s Day.”

“That’s right.” Zelda lifted her chin. “We’re mailing the invitations this week. I’ll be sure you get one.”

“Don’t forget to write ‘and guest’ on the envelope. I wouldn’t want Arden to sit home by herself that night.”

“Of course not.” Zelda flashed a brittle smile. “I’ll have to tell Al you’re back in town. He’ll be watching out for you.” She took hold of Mrs. Talbot’s arm. “Now, if y’all will excuse us, we’ve got a dress fitting.”

With a tug, she started her mother along the sidewalk at a fast march. Looking back over her shoulder, she said, “Nice to meet you,” but turned away quickly before Arden could reply.

Keeping his arm around her shoulders, Griff began walking in the opposite direction. Arden had no choice but to go along, almost jogging to keep up with his long, fast strides.

As they approached an intersection, she thought he might plunge blindly into the street, so she leaned backward and planted her feet, hoping to slow him down, at least.

“Griff,” she said at the same time. “Griff, stop.”

To her relief, he did. After a couple of seconds, his arm fell to his side and he turned to her. “Sorry about that. Are you okay?”

“Are you?”

He wiped a hand over his face. “I could use a drink, but I’m not going to find one in this town until after noon. How about more coffee—or tea, hot chocolate, whatever—and a big dose of something sweet?”

“Lead the way.”

A few steps took them to the door of the shop on the corner, which he opened. “This is Patty’s Place. As a little kid, Miss Patty started baking goodies with her parents. Now she runs the shop, along with her daughters, Pam and Peg, and her husband Pete.”

Arden gave him a skeptical look. He crossed his heart with a finger and then held up his hand. “I swear. Their last name is Pierson.”

She followed him to an empty table, where he pulled out a white wrought-iron chair for her. “I suppose Patty and Pete couldn’t help falling in love. Or that his name was Pierson.”

Griff nodded as he sat down. “And once it’s gone that far, why not have fun?”

“True.” Glancing around, Arden noticed the curtains on the windows, printed with purple and yellow pansies on a background of purple stripes. The walls of the shop had been painted a pale lavender