Somebody to Love(37)

“Here she comes, here she comes,” announced a woman about Parker’s age. “Act normal, everyone!”

“Maggie, Maggie!” said the toddler next to her. “Maggie coming!”

“Shh,” the dad said. “Be cool, Violet, sweetheart.”

Like everyone else, Parker watched as a woman approached the diner, a yellow Lab on her heels, two grocery bags in her arms. “Okay, Octavio,” she said, pushing through the door. “I can’t believe we ran out of bacon and eggs when I could’ve sworn—” She stopped in her tracks. Her gaze flicked around the diner, eyes wide. “Where did everyone come from?” she asked. “Mom! What are you doing here? Did someone die?” Her voice trailed off as her eyes stopped on Malone.

Parker sighed…not with happiness, like everyone else in the place. Indeed, the woman with the toddler had tears sliding down her cheeks—hang on, she was twins with this Maggie person, apparently. The busty woman tilted her head on the young guy’s shoulder and smiled. Indeed, everyone was smiling.

And here it comes, Parker thought. Sure enough, Malone, who was clearly not going to be her summer fling, got down on one knee and held up a small black velvet box. Yep. She just asked that guy out. The one on bended knee.

“Jeezum crow, Malone,” Maggie squeaked. A grinning man wearing a white apron stepped forward and took the grocery bags out of her arms.

“Well?” Malone said, a smile playing on his face. Everyone in the diner laughed—clearly some insider joke.

“Well, what?” Maggie said, a wobbly smile working its way through her tears.

Malone seemed to groan a little, and another laugh went through the crowd. “All right, then.” He paused, took a deep breath and soldiered on. “I love you, Maggie, have for a long time, and I’d be real glad to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life. You and the dog, that is.” Another laugh, and now Malone’s face was gentle. “Will you marry me?”

“Oh, that was great. Yes, absolutely, yes, Malone, I thought you’d never ask.” She half laughed, half wept, and Malone rose and kissed her, and everyone cheered.

Oh! We have the Warm Fuzzles! the Holy Rollers crowed.

You sicken me, Parker thought. Still, the HRs had a point. It was all lovely. Her eyes were even a little wet, too, and several people were openly weeping. The twin was hugging Maggie now, and the toddler was jumping up and down. An older woman holding an infant was crying, as well. The whole place was congratulating the happy couple, slapping Malone on the back, kissing Maggie. Young people, old people, in-betweens…seemed as if the whole town was there.

For one brief second, Parker tried to imagine this scene happening to her. Yeah. No. She wasn’t really the Warm Fuzzles type, despite having invented the nauseating term.

Across the booth, Lavinia coughed, an alarming sound, then nodded as if satisfied. “We been watchin’ these two for some time,” she said in her rusty voice. “Malone asked us all to come, wanted his daughter here. She’s from away. But he figured Maggie’d like that. Seems he was right.”

A party seemed to be breaking out—orange juice and champagne were offered, and a few people were coming in and out of the kitchen with goodies. A thickly built waitress plunked a plate of Danish pastries down in front of her, and Parker snagged one. “Think I could get some coffee?” she asked. “I’m dying for a little caffeine.”

“Help yourself,” she said, making her way through the crowd.

“I’ll get it, this being your first time and all,” Lavinia said, sliding out of the booth.

Parker looked around, the only stranger here, it seemed. Rolly gave her a wave, but he was on the other side of the diner, talking to a young man with Down syndrome. Parker looked at the little jukebox at her table. Oldies but goodies. Tried not to feel awkward.

Little Maggot looked around. He didn’t know any other maggots on the entire roadkill. If only he was better at making friends!

“Hi there!”

Parker looked up at the bride-to-be and Malone, who nodded. “Sorry, the service kind of sucks this morning,” the woman said. “Because this guy here, he told everyone we know to show up. And I had no idea. How is that possible, I ask you? I mean, I know everybody, right? Except you. Hi, I’m Maggie, and I know you’re Julia Harrington’s niece. Sorry to be babbling. I’m a little overwhelmed. Because I’m engaged.” She bit her lip and looked at the ring herself, then kissed Malone’s cheek. “It’s so beautiful, Malone. I love it.”

She showed off the ring. Three-quarters of a carat, maybe, fourteen-karat gold. Parker’s mother’s last engagement ring had been five carats, framed by a ring of twelve smaller diamonds, set in platinum and big enough to choke a seventh grader.

“Congratulations,” Parker said. “It’s beautiful. I’m Parker. In town for the summer.” Sorry I had dirty thoughts about your fiancé.

“Where are you staying?” Maggie asked.

“At my aunt’s house.”

“Oh.” Maggie gave a little grimace. “Um, that’s a beautiful spot. Welcome to Gideon’s Cove. Anything you need, stop by. I know everyone. So does this guy here. Oh, my God, Malone! Are you sure you want marry me? Given how much I talk?”

He nodded once. “I’m used to it.” Put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.