Real Romance - By Ginny Baird Page 0,38

her again.

"So, how was your extended holiday?" Caroline asked, as David bounced into the shop the next morning.

"Dandy," he said, sweeping her into his arms and swirling her across the floor. "Just dandy!"

"Uh-oh," Caroline said, breaking free and shaking out her hemline. "Something tells me that you saw Marie. And that you two shared more than turkey."

"Yeah!" David said, catching an unsuspecting Caroline off guard with an exuberant high-five.

"So, what does this mean?" Caroline asked, steadying a hand on her hip. "Is today going to be one of those wedding planner days?"

David gave a hearty laugh as Caroline blew out an exasperated breath.

"Look, with the holiday rush upon us, I can't afford to give you any more time off."

"Not even," David asked, giving her a pleading smile, "for my honeymoon?"

Marie was dreamily thumbing through a bridal magazine in the employee lounge when Joanne walked over and tapped her on the shoulder.

"If you're looking for me," she said, "I think I'm a little old—and experienced, "she added with a whisper, "—to be wearing white."

She looked up in surprise and then her eyes darted to Joanne's finger.

The elderly woman proudly stuck out her left hand to display a glittering solitaire.

"Oh, Joanne!" Marie said, springing to her feet and wrapping the other woman in her arms. "I can hardly believe it! After all this time... Chad?" she asked.

Joanne's cheeks turned a dusty rose.

"Took me home to meet his children. His children, Marie! Over Thanksgiving. It turned out that his grandson and I both like the Grateful Dead. I think that clinched the deal."

Marie laughed loudly and sat back in her chair.

"Sit," she said, tugging warmly at Joanne's hands. "I want to hear every thrilling detail."

Chapter Fourteen

"Oh, David!" Marie said, racing into the optician's shop. "I'm so excited about the wedding I can't stand it!"

"Wedding?" David was going to get that little snitch. He'd wanted so badly for it to be a surprise, and Caroline had sworn she wouldn't say a word.

"Yes, it's so hard to believe after all this time!"

"Well," he said, looking over at a customer who was inspecting a display case of frames and trying to sound nonchalant. "You know what they say, when it's right, it's right."

Marie glanced quickly around the shop.

"Oh, my gosh, David," she said, bringing her hands to her flaming cheeks. "You're working! I'm so sorry. I'll come back later."

She spun and swirled for the exit.

David had never seen her move this fast. It was making him dizzy.

"Oh, honey," she said, gleefully passing through the door. "It's so exciting. So very exciting! I've got so much to do!"

David watched as Marie disappeared down the icy sidewalk, her coat caught up in a gust of wind.

The gentleman selected a pair of frames and set them loudly on the counter, his eyes traveling to the woman outdoors.

"My fiancée," David said with a tight smile and a shrug.

Since Caroline had taken the afternoon off to meet with a supplier, David used his lunch hour as an opportunity to lock up the shop and go hunt for Marie. He was sorely disappointed that Caroline had let the cat out of the bag. For once in his life, David had wanted to do it up right: wine, dinner, the romantic proposal.

Oh well, he thought, shaking off the chill that sliced through him with the wind, at least she was happy. Ecstatic, in fact. He'd never seen Marie so positively glowing. Well, almost never, he thought, with a lustful grin.

But just because she somehow knew, didn't mean they wouldn't have to talk about it. They'd have to set a date, make some plans, and—David acknowledged—no matter what she thought she knew—he'd still have to ask her officially. Get down on his knees and all that.

Besides, as the groom, David had certain responsibilities. It was his job to take care of certain details... plan the honeymoon, for example. It was right there on page three of the groom's checklist. He'd read it with his own eyes, at least a dozen times.

David strode purposefully into Books & Bistro and searched the aisles until he found her, systematically turning books cover out on the shelves so that their authors' names would be prominently displayed.

"I'm so glad I found you," he said, rushing over and giving her a tight hug.

She glanced down the aisle as if she hoped no one was looking. Well, he thought, so now it was her turn to be embarrassed.

"David! What a surprise!"

"Surprise, sweetheart?" he asked, grabbing for her once again, but she