Caitlin pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and shook her head. ‘I think he may be avoiding me. I feel terrible. I didn’t mean to sound so horrified by the prospect of dating him. He’s a really great guy. Although, I think I may have blown our chances of being friends. We were getting on so well. I could kick myself every time I think about that day.’
‘I don’t think Archie is capable of holding a grudge. I’m sure he’s just been busy.’
Caitlin sighed, feeling despondent. ‘I hope you’re right, Jules. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him.’
‘And I’m sure he knows that.’
15
‘I’m back!’ Dexter’s voice boomed as he entered the bakery.
Caitlin immediately ran to the other side of the counter and hugged him.
‘I’ve missed you, you hairy lout!’ she told him as he picked her up and spun her in the air. Cleo skipped around at their feet making little yipping noises as Dexter dodged trying to avoid stepping on her.
‘Aye, and I’ve missed you too,’ he replied in that oh-so-familiar Durham accent. ‘I’m not staying long, because I’ve heard on the grapevine, i.e. Jetty, that you’ve a hot date with Cora’s dad.’
‘Blimey, word travels fast,’ she said as her feet hit the ground again.
He winked as he crouched to say hello to Cleo. ‘Aye, well that’s what you get for living in a small village, and for having a best friend with a nosey brother. So, is it serious?’
Caitlin sighed. ‘I’m not really sure. He was a little odd about Grace’s lack of dad situation, and he seems quite full on. I really fancy him but…’
Dexter gave a sad smile. ‘You have to have the whole package, eh?’
She nodded. ‘I’m afraid so.’ She reached out and squeezed his arm.
Jules had told Caitlin that Dexter was attracted to her when he first met her, but sadly, although she adored him as a friend, she just wasn’t attracted to him. He had since moved on, so it was all fine and their friendship had gone from strength to strength.
They went back through to the house and Grace, excited by the surprise visitor, hugged Dexter so tightly he pretended to pass out. Then Grace continued to watch a movie while Caitlin took her friend through to the kitchen and filled him in on her relationship so far with Lyle. He too had opinions about the celebratory dinner.
‘I hate to say it, Cait, but I reckon there is something to what Jetty was saying. I reckon you need to be prepared for him to ask you to move in or something.’
Caitlin huffed. ‘I’m just not ready for that yet. I don’t want to hurt him, but it’s too soon.’
‘Nah, I think the speed of a relationship is entirely dictated by how quickly that spark ignites. If you know, you know. And I reckon he knows. But it’s clear you’re not on the same page. So, don’t let him guilt you into something you’re not ready for, eh?
Caitlin nodded. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t.’
* * *
The invite for a family celebration dinner was exciting for Cora and Grace. For Caitlin, on the other hand, it was nerve-racking. What was there to celebrate other than Cora’s birthday? And why did it all make her so nervous? All Lyle had said was there was something surprising and exciting afoot.
After trying to listen in on a whispered and secretive phone call between the two girls, Caitlin had finally confronted Grace to see if she knew anything more. Grace had told her that she had talked it over with Cora and they both thought Lyle was going to propose. Cora had said she was fine with that happening on her birthday because it would make her day even more special. But it had been mere weeks and although things were going well, for the most part, Caitlin couldn’t help worrying that they may be right. He did seem enthusiastic about their relationship and had taken things in his stride when the girls insisted on talking about weddings in front of him.
What the heck would she say if he asked in front of the girls though? Surely it was a conversation they should have alone? And she wasn’t going to rush down the aisle for a man she was still getting to know. Perhaps, she surmised, a long engagement would be okay. It would at least afford her time to get used to the idea.
Wait… what the hell am I thinking? It’s been a couple of bloody weeks! Good grief, Cait, get a grip.
Truth be told, Caitlin wasn’t even sure she actually wanted to get married at all… not yet… and not necessarily to Lyle. There were still so many things they didn’t know about each other, and she couldn’t let go of the fact that there were still concerns niggling at her about some of his opinions.
In the back of her mind, she was laughing at herself. Of course, he wasn’t going to ask her to marry him. It would be far too fast and was quite frankly a little conceited on her part. Who was to say he felt so strongly after such a short amount of time? And who was to say he even liked her enough for that? No… it was more likely to be something like a new job or a new car, like Jules had suggested. Maybe even a house move. There were a million things it could be that didn’t involve wedding bells and diamonds… At least she hoped so.
Grace came downstairs in a pretty, violet summer dress that she had been saving for a ‘special occasion’. Of course, this confirmed Caitlin’s thoughts about the evening ahead, considering it was the very colour she and Cora had suggested – more than once – for bridesmaids’ dresses.
‘You look lovely, sweetheart, but please don’t get your hopes up. I honestly can’t see him proposing to me. It’s way too early in our relationship and we don’t know each other that well. Now, I know how excited you are about the prospect of being a family with Cora but… I won’t, rush into anything. We have to give it time to see if it’s even heading in that direction. I know you might think me selfish but, believe me, it’s better not rush these things because to do so could cause a lot of heartache down the line.’
Grace pondered her words for a moment with a crumpled brow and pursed lips. Then, as if a light bulb in her mind had illuminated, she gasped. ‘Maybe he’s going to ask us to move in together then? Would you prefer their house or ours?’
