High Noon Page 0,175

you tonight. The proposal, that wasn't on the map. But then, well, I got lost in Disney World."

"Disney World was the kicker?"

"Oh yes, yes, it was. I know we haven't known each other for very long. Just since-"

"St. Patrick's Day."

"St. Patrick's Day. So you'll probably need to think about it, and God knows things need to settle down, but-"

I "Where's the ring?"

"The ring?"

"What kind of half-assed proposal is this?" he demanded. "You didn't get me a ring?"

Her breath came out in a whoosh. "I've been a little busy."

His sigh was patient, long-suffering, and quite a bit exaggerated. "I don't know as I can take this very seriously without a ring. But I guess I can make an exception, this once." He leaned down, met her smiling lips with his. "I was going to ask you in Disney World."

"You... Really?"

"I figured on getting you dizzy on the teacups, or weak-kneed on Space Mountain, hit you while your defenses were down some. Of course, I'd've had a ring."

She shoved him back on the bed, rolled on top of him. "I like things clear. Is that a yes?"

"You had me when you walked into Suicide Joe's apartment." Her eyes narrowed. "As far as you knew at that point, I could've been married with six children, or a lesbian."

"Then I'd've pined for you the rest of my days. But I'm a lucky man. Been on a streak for a while now, and it's been heading straight toward you. You had me, Phoebe, the minute you walked in, and from that minute I've been sliding into love without even looking for a handhold." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't mind complications, and responsibilities are just part of living if you're doing it right. We'll do it right, you and me. So yes, I accept your ringless proposal."

She laid her lips on his, then rested, cheek to cheek. "I haven't even started on the complications. I have to live in this house. I can't-"

"I like this house. That's not a complication, it's a great old house on Jones Street."

"My mother-"

"Is great. If I couldn't get you, I was going to go for her. She likes me." He trailed a finger down Phoebe's spine. "Women tend to." Phoebe shifted to look down at him. "I'd e x p e c't... I'd need you to be a father to Carly."

"Piss me off if you didn't. Relax, Phoebe." He drew her down until her head rested on his chest. "You don't have to negotiate this. It's a done deal."

"I'm so happy. It seems strange to be so happy when so much is wrong."

"Whatever's wrong, we'll fix. That's something we're both pretty good at."

"It's nearly morning," she murmured with her eyes on the window. "It's nearly time to start again."

"Close your eyes awhile. Close your eyes while you're happy, and get a little sleep."

The next thing she knew, the sun was beaming into her eyes, and her daughter was banging on the door. Thank God she'd left it locked. Phoebe gave Duncan a good, hard shake, got a grunt in response, before she sprang out of bed. "Just a minute, honey."

"Mama, why is the door locked? Mama, are you okay?"

"Fine, fine." In a flurry of motion, Phoebe rushed to the closet and yanked out her robe. "Just fine, Carly. Why don't you go on downstairs? I'll be right down."

"Your door's locked, Mama. I'll go tell Gran."

"No!" Sweet baby Jesus. "No, no, just a minute." Moving like the wind, Phoebe dragged on the robe as she bolted out of the closet. Yawning hugely, Duncan stood beside the rumpled bed lazily pulling on jeans. At a loss, Phoebe put her finger to her lips, then, unlocking her door, cracked it open an inch.

"I was sleeping, honey. I got home very late. I'll be downstairs in a few minutes."

"But your door was locked."

"Yes, I guess it was. I'll be-"

"Duncan's car's outside. But he's not downstairs, and he's not in Steven's room either."

"Oh. Well. Why don't you go see if Ava wants to make waffles for breakfast?"

"Is Duncan in there?" Carly shifted right and left to try to see through the narrow opening. Phoebe shifted left and right to block her. "Did he sleep with you last night?"

The child was a dog with a bone, Phoebe thought. Before she could speak, Duncan said, "Busted," and eased the door open. "Hey, Carly."

"Hi. Mama's door was locked so I couldn't come in."

"We got home very late," Phoebe repeated.

"How come you slept in Mama's