Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)(82)

“And here I thought I could keep a secret at least for a few days.” Ava sat next to her and held out her left hand. A large diamond solitaire winked from her ring finger. “Steve proposed.”

It took Patience a moment to register the meaning. Yes, Steve had been responsible so far with her daughter and her mother. But would he be forever?

“That’s wonderful,” she finally said, then hugged her mother. You couldn’t plan love. She would hope that her mother’s love would only cement the changes Steve had made in his life. “You’re getting married.”

Ava hugged her back, then kissed her cheek. “I can barely believe it myself. It was so romantic. We were in the back of the restaurant and the waiter brought champagne. Steve got down on one knee and everything.” Tears filled her eyes. “He makes me so happy.”

“I’m happy for you.” Patience poured her wine and passed it over, then raised her own glass. “Congratulations, Mom. You deserve all the love in the world.”

“Thank you. I’ll admit I’m a little nervous. It’s been a long time since I had a man in my life.”

There would be a lot of changes, Patience thought. For all of them. “Have you set a date for the wedding?”

“No. We’ll have a very quiet ceremony later this summer. Just family. But you and I have to talk about this house.”

“Right, because it would be weird to have us all living together.” Patience ignored the pang she felt at the thought of moving. “I can find some place for me and Lillie. This is your house, Mom.”

Her mother shook her head. “It’s our house, remember. I put you on the deed when we paid off the mortgage.”

“Yes, but—”

“No buts. Steve and I have already talked about this. We’re having a house built. One designed for me. I’ve been very lucky with the MS, but we both know there are going to be bad days. It’s silly for us to stay in a place where I can’t get to half the rooms.”

Patience nodded slowly. Her mother hadn’t been able to climb stairs for a few years now. “You’re thinking of a one-story?”

“Yes. We’ll put in a ramp and wider doors. The master bath will have a shower I can wheel into, that sort of thing. Steve has thought of everything. The kitchen counters will be lower for me so I can still reach them if I’m in my chair. Our plan is I’ll move in with him as soon as we’re married, and then we’ll move into our new house when it’s finished.”

Patience grinned. “You’re not going to live with him before the wedding?”

Ava blushed, then ducked her head. “I wasn’t sure you’d approve.”

“Why would you think that, Mom? I’m pretty sure you know there’s some sneaking around going on upstairs.”

“I have suspected. But that’s different. I’m your mother.”

“You’re a beautiful, vital woman and if you want to move in with the man you love, I say go for it. Lillie won’t mind that her grandparents are living together.”

Ava hugged her. “I love you so much, Patience. You have always been the best part of my life.”

“I love you, too, Mom.” She drew back and grinned. “We can get you a fabulous dress at Paper Moon.”

Her mother shuddered. “That isn’t happening. I’m thinking of a pretty suit, not a wedding gown. Why don’t you and I take Lillie into San Francisco when school gets out? We’ll go for a couple of nights. Stay somewhere by the water and find dresses. Then we’ll have the ceremony right here in the backyard.”

“I love that idea.”

They picked up their wine and toasted again.

“To happy endings,” her mother said.

“To falling in love.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

PATIENCE SAT IN a booth at Jo’s Bar as the sodas and iced teas were passed around. She was still feeling the glow from the previous night’s announcement and was thrilled to be able to share the news with her friends.

Noelle sat by Felicia, with Isabel between them. Patience was next to Felicia.

“It’s all everyone is talking about,” Isabel said with a grin. “I already called your mom and invited her to come and try on gowns.”

“Did she hang up on you?” Patience asked, slipping her straw into her glass of diet soda.

“Nearly. She said she wasn’t interested in anything I had. I pretended to be crushed, which was fun.” Isabel shook her head. “The poor woman still thinks she’s getting away with only you and Lillie at the ceremony.”

“Totally delusional,” Patience agreed. She turned to Felicia and Noelle. “No way that will happen in this town. My mom grew up here. She knows everyone. I think a backyard wedding is a great idea. We can have the reception at Brew-haha, but as for keeping the guest list down to immediate family? No way.”

“Historically, a wedding is as much a contract as a celebration,” Felicia said. “The blending of families was seen as mutually beneficial. Did you know that the female fantasy of being carried off by a handsome stranger can be traced back to times of precivilization when women were stolen by neighboring tribes? The stolen woman provided fresh DNA, which ensured healthier children.”

Noelle sipped her tea. “I can’t wait to see you drunk.”