Garrett had been gone for a week and Cora wasn't sure if she was pleased about it or not. It was a relief to be able to have time to think about his proposal but she also missed him; which surprised her. It all seemed too sudden. Granted, there was nothing better than a common enemy to forge a quick alliance, but what he had offered her was almost too good to be true. There had to be a catch somewhere. There always was.
The idea of not having to worry about money and having the house properly cared for filled her with such a sense of relief and it made her feel lighter, but what would happen when he tired of her?
It was what had happened with Shane. He had tired of her. He had never claimed that his reason for leaving was the money, he had claimed that it was the fact that she spent too much time taking care of her father and they had grown apart because of it; he had met someone else. The amazing thing was that she hadn't been that upset by his departure, she had felt relieved. It had been one less thing to manage in her life.
To have someone else mange for her would be a welcome change.
Then there was his kiss. She still blushed when she thought about it. As far as kisses went it was the best she had ever had and it was evident that Garrett had had plenty of practice. Enough practice to make the celibate plan a hard concept to grasp. Cora didn't think it would work for very long. He was a flesh and blood man and if she did decide to accept his proposal she would have to be his wife in every way if it was to work between them. The thought both frightened and excited her.
She couldn't help but wonder what a night in Garrett's arms would feel like. She had the feeling that after him every man would pale in comparison. She sighed at the thought and stepped back to admire her handy work.
Her mother had always kept a large bowl of flowers on the hall table, believing that it set the right tone and welcomed guests, not only with a beautiful visual but with a wonderful smell as well. Her mind jumped back to the thought that it would be nice to run the house as it had once been run, and she could do that if she married Garrett.
She stepped forward and adjusted a red rose as the door behind her opened. Startled, she turned to see a weary looking Garrett enter. Roxi, who had been laying under the table, jumped up to greet him, and Cora found herself suddenly frozen with first pleasure and then shock. It felt right. His returning felt right, the house felt like a home again. She was staring at him, her heart about to beat out of her chest, and her thoughts must have been easy for Garrett to read.
"It feels right somehow, my returning, doesn't it?" He sat his briefcase and coat on the chair next to the table before he moved towards her. Cora noted how well his navy suit fit him and the air of authority it gave him. He was used to being in control as he was currently taking control of the situation, using his charming smile to put Cora at ease.
"How is Aunt Mable's nurse working out?"
He had hired a nurse for Aunt Mable which had relieved Cora of having to be her only caretaker. It had been her first taste of freedom in a very long time. Suddenly, she didn't have a strict timetable and she could do fun things like draw and arrange the flowers. It had been bliss.
Cora's eyes narrowed as she realized what he had done. He had tempted her with what her life would be like if she married him, and he had done it so subtly she hadn't noticed that that was what he was doing.
Garrett grinned at her wary look.
"You planned it well, didn't you?" She didn't need to explain herself, he understood.
"I take it that means that she's doing well and you've had some free time?" He moved a little closer filling her space with his massive body.
She craned her neck back to look up into his eyes. "You look tired Garrett."
"I am tired Cora, it was a rough week." He turned and touched a rose. "The flowers are nice."
"Mother always had them, she thought they made the house more welcoming."
"They do, the only thing that might beat them would be central heat." He turned and looked down at her, studying her face.
"Have you made a decision Cora? Will you marry me?" He took another step towards her and she was practically in his arms.
She knew the moment he had walked in the door that she would say yes. Nodding, she whispered yes as she looked away from his eyes, focusing on his tie, but he wouldn't let her get away with it. He took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him before he gathered her close.
"I'm glad Cora. I have the feeling that we'll make good partners."
Cora nodded waiting for him to kiss her, wanting him too, she licked her lips in anticipation, but he only smiled gently at her and set her away from him, picking up his briefcase and coat once more.
He nodded with his head for her to follow him and led the way towards the study. This time Cora had it ready for him with a fire and it made a world of difference in the feel of the room.
"Much better. Thank you, Cora," he said as he sat his things on the chair behind the desk before motioning for her to join him in the armchairs by the fire. They had just settled into their chairs when Margie found them.
"I thought I heard your car. Would you like something to eat or drink?"
"Coffee would be excellent, thank you Margie."
Margie nodded as she gave him a smile before turning to leave.
"You've won a new fan." Cora said smiling as well.
"But she will always be loyal to you first." Garrett nodded as if that was as it should be.
"Now that you're officially my fiancé, I need your help." He pulled out his phone taking a few moments to look at it. "There are several social engagements that I'll need to you attend with me, but I have to introduce you to my parents first. Can we do that this evening?"
"Tonight?" Cora squeaked.
"Yes, I'll need you at an important dinner tomorrow evening and I can't introduce you as my fiancé before telling them. They would never forgive me."
"I don't have anything to wear?" There was no way she could be ready to start meeting people so soon, but as soon as she had that thought she had another. "What will you tell your parents about us?"
"About us?"
Cora nodded, swallowing hard, what if they didn't like her.
"I'll tell them that we're madly in love, just as I'll tell everyone. You will be my wife so it won't be that hard for people to believe."
"Even Theodora?"
"Even Theodora." His eyes narrowed at the question. "Let's get one thing straight Cora. I love Theodora-,"
"I know and I won't come between you-,"
"I love Theodora," he cut her off with a strong voice as he leaned forward forcing her to meet his eyes without words, "she is my best friend, but you will be my wife. My first loyalty will be to you as I hope yours will be to me. Our marriage will have nothing to do with Theodora's and my friendship."
He waited for Cora to nod before he leaned back in his chair looking at his phone again.
"Can we have Thanksgiving here next week? Is that too short of notice for you and Margie? I think it would be a great way to cement us as a couple in people's minds since our engagement is so sudden."
Cora nodded a bit overwhelmed by his plans.
Margie entered with their coffee and Garrett thanked her before telling her they would be going out to dinner that evening. Once she had left Garrett turned to Cora, "I'll let you break the news about Thanksgiving, shall I? She's an intimidating woman."
Cora shook her head with another smile, she doubted that Garrett was really intimidated by Margie, "Somehow I doubt that."
He seemed not to hear her. "Should we invite Dr. Foley and Ms. Patty to join us for the day as well?"
Cora's heart swelled and if she had been doubting her choice, she wasn't any longer. She swallowed hard and fought back the tears, but she couldn't keep the husky tone out of her voice. "That would be very nice."
He looked up at her thoughtfully before turning his attention back to his phone.
*******
Garrett quickly looked away from Cora. He could easily see how much his simple suggestion had meant to her, and he wanted to gather her into his arms and tell her that everything would be alright.
He had never wanted to kiss any woman as badly as he had wanted to kiss her when he had walked through the front door. She had been so easy to read. He could see her pleasure that turned into astonishment, and he knew that she felt what he had. That her being there to welcome him home had felt right.
He had gathered her close, wanting to kiss her desperately after she had agreed to marry him, but he didn't want to scare her away. It was early days yet and he had a feeling that her new found trust in him needed to be proved a bit more before he could admit to loving her. He didn't think she would believe him because she had to believe in herself first.
But today he had felt that they had taken a step in the right direction.
He would have Cora for his wife, and even though he wanted to shout it from the rooftops he couldn't quite yet. He had to see his plan through first, and make sure that whatever happened between them, Cora would be well taken care of in the end.
He was going into this relationship knowing that she could walk away at any time if she ever decided that that was what she wanted to do, because he would honor his promise, no matter how much it hurt, to let her leave.