Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(64)

His eyes didn’t waver from hers, and he held his breath while he waited for her response. When none came, he realized he’d made a terrible mistake. He could easily blame it on the long sleepless flight. He’d been up almost thirty hours. “I know it’s too soon. I apologize if I—”

“It isn’t too soon,” she whispered, interrupting him. “I’d like nothing better than to be your wife.”

He was stunned speechless. He hadn’t known what to expect, hadn’t even considered asking her so soon. A lump filled his throat as he struggled to grab hold of his emotions. As soon as he could speak clearly, he asked, “Okay, when?”

Her hands made a restless movement, as if she wasn’t sure. “I wouldn’t like a long engagement.”

“Me, neither.”

“Next month?” she asked.

He frowned. Even that seemed far too long to wait. “Next week?”

Her eyes lit up with a bright smile, and she placed her hand over her mouth.

“What?” he asked, seeing that she was all but laughing.

“You’re going to think I’ve lost my mind.”

He frowned. “What are you suggesting?”

“What’s wrong with tonight?”

He was astounded. “Tonight? You mean … today. Now?”

The waitress delivered their meals, which they both ignored.

Lauren nodded. “I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind, Rooster Wayne.”

Change his mind? Was she out of hers? If anyone would be susceptible to a change of heart, he would think it would be Lauren. Clearly, after so many hours awake, the drastic time change, and everything else, he wasn’t himself … wasn’t thinking clearly. “My immediate reaction is to do it. But I don’t want us to get caught up in some craziness we might later regret, so let’s sleep on it.”

“I’m not changing my mind, Rooster.”

He sincerely doubted he would, either. “It might be hard to arrange at the last minute like this. I’d feel better about it if we waited until tomorrow.”

“Agreed,” she said.

“And if you feel the same way in the morning …”

“I will,” she promised.

“So will I,” he added. “Then we’ll see to the necessary paperwork first thing.”

Again, she concurred.

Rooster rubbed his hand over his eyes. He had one other concern. “What about your parents?”

“What about them?”

“Before we continue, I’d like to speak to your father.”

“My dad?” She sounded shocked.

“Yes. I want to do this properly, Lauren. I don’t want him to think I’ve coerced you against your will, especially if we’re going to rush into this. Have you even mentioned me?”

“I have to my mom and sister, but Dad and I don’t talk on the phone that often.” She sounded uncertain, as if contacting her father wasn’t such a good idea. “Dad can be a bit short-tempered.”

“And he might well be, with me stealing away his daughter, but I’ll chance it. Why don’t I talk to him now?”

“Now?” She was hesitant.

Rooster brought out his cell. “Give me your parents’ phone number.”

She rattled it off and then bit her lower lip while Rooster waited for the connection.

“Let me talk to him first,” Lauren said urgently.

Rooster hesitated before handing her his cell. Her eyes connected with his, and then she relaxed. “Hi, Daddy,” she said, sounding chipper and excited. “I wanted to let you know I’m getting married.”

Unable to hear the other end of the conversation, Rooster waited impatiently.

“No, it isn’t Todd,” she said, and cast Rooster an apologetic look. “His name is John. John Wayne.” Another brief pause. “Not that John Wayne, Dad. He goes by Rooster. Yes … yes, I realize it’s an unusual name. Okay, okay, I’ll put him on the phone.” She placed her hand over the receiver. “He doesn’t sound happy about this.”

Rooster took the cell out of her hand and winked at her. “Don’t worry,” he whispered before placing the cell against his ear. “Mr. Elliott, this is Rooster Wayne.”

Lauren’s father’s voice boomed over the other end of the cell. “Bill Elliott. Now, what’s this I hear about you wanting to marry my daughter?”

“You heard correctly.”

“Do you love her?”

It astonished Rooster to realize he’d asked Lauren to be his wife and not once had he expressed his love to her. “Very much.”

“Are you employed?” he demanded. “I won’t have my daughter supporting you, so be clear on that.”

“No worries there,” Rooster assured the other man. “I have a partnership in a California wine-distribution company.”

That appeared to satisfy him. “You haven’t known Lauren long, have you? The last I heard she had her heart set on that pretty-boy television newscaster. Have to say I never cared much for him.”

Rooster grinned. He shared the other man’s feelings and sensed that he was going to get along just fine with Lauren’s father.

“When do you figure to get married?” the elder Elliott asked.