Page 56 of One Texas Night...
“This afternoon when I went to your office. I saw him out in front first.”
“He didn’t tell me.”
“Of course not. I wanted the proposal to be a surprise.” He kissed her. “Allison, I’m the happiest man on earth. Let’s have this wedding as soon as possible.”
“So we can have a baby?” she asked, smiling broadly.
“No, so I can have you with me every night possible. Babies later—maybe not much later, but give me a month at least.”
She giggled and kissed him.
* * *
It was after eight when Jared pulled out his phone. “Let’s call your dad and Sloan, and then we’ll order dinner.”
He handed her the phone and she hit Speaker, then told her dad that she and Jared were engaged. Her father’s booming congratulations sounded hearty and sincere. She promised to come over the next day with Jared. “Honey, I wish you all the happiness possible. I think that’s wonderful. Jared talked to me, and he loves you very much.”
She turned to smile at Jared and plant a kiss on his lips.
Next they called Sloan, and she switched on the speaker button again. “Sloan, this is Allison. Jared is with me. We’re getting married. Jared said you told him to propose to me.”
“I did no such thing. I told him you might be marrying the wrong man.” She laughed as her brother sputtered and tried to tell her what he had said to Jared. Finally he just gave up and offered his congratulations.
“Thanks. After all, I think this is all your doing.”
“It is definitely not my doing,” Sloan insisted. “Jared has never done one thing he didn’t want to since he got out of school.”
“Not so,” Jared said. “Thanks, Sloan. I did listen to what you told me.”
“Good deal,” Sloan said. “Allison, I’ll let you tell the girls. Here’s Virginia.”
“Virginia, sweetie,” Allison said, “I’m getting married. I want you to come to my wedding.”
Virginia began to screech, and Allison held the phone at arm’s length. “I think she’s happy.”
Leah came on the phone next. “Allison, congratulations to you and Jared.” The screeching in the background became louder. “Both girls are so excited, and Jake is just yelling because they are. They’re thrilled, and so are we.”
“Thank you. I’ll call you tomorrow when things are calmer. ’Bye for now,” she said, breaking the noisy connection. She turned to Jared. “Well, the girls are happy. Now you have nieces and a family—so much more, Jared.”
“I’m still astounded this has happened to me. You’ve been upsetting my routine life since the night I ran into you at that wedding reception.”
“Have I really?” she asked with great innocence. “You live such a mundane, routine life.”
“If someone had told me when I was sixteen years old that I would someday marry Sloan’s bratty little sister, I probably would have run away from home and never seen Sloan again. What a scary thought that would have been then.”
“At that age, I thought you were kind of cute, but awfully old. I do recall once getting you squarely in the face with a snowball.”
“I’ve always said you have a naughty streak in you that comes out in lots of different ways.”
“Do I really now?” she asked in a sultry voice, running her hand over her hip and licking her lips.
“Yes, you do, and I love it,” he said, pulling her into his arms to kiss her.
Epilogue
In early May, Allison stood with her arm linked with her father’s as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. “You look so beautiful, Allison,” Herman said, kissing her cheek, and she smiled at him.
“Thank you, Dad.”
