Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Will you marry me, Essie?”
Tears gathered in her eyes, and she nodded. Realizing everyone was waiting for her to answer aloud, she removed her hand and said, “Yes, Zander, yes! A million times yes.”
Her handsome man stood and walked forward. He plucked the ring from the box and held out his hand for hers. After sliding the ring onto her left ring finger, he lifted her hand to his lips in a soft kiss. Essie threw her arms around his neck and drew his face down to hers.
She whispered softly for his ears only, “Kiss me, Daddy. I love you.”
The steamy kiss that followed took her breath away. Her heart beat so fast as he held her close. The idea she could look forward to his embrace for a lifetime to come thrilled Essie.
The sound of clapping filled the air as everyone celebrated their engagement. Many called out cheers of happy wishes for a long, happy life together as Zander pulled her close to his side.
Tiffanie walked forward with damp eyes to hand them each a glass of champagne. “Let’s toast the newly engaged couple! To Essie and Zander!”
“Thank you for coming to our engagement party,” Zander said to the crowd.
Essie’s mouth rounded in shock. They’d stolen the thunder of her client’s engagement. “Oh no,” she whispered, looking around for Mark Cunningham.
Her gaze met his twinkling eyes from the edge of the crowd. He nodded, silently reassuring her.
Zander said, “My apologies for lying to you, Essie. And for arranging for you to organize your own engagement party. No worries! I’m still paying.”
“You put this together for me, Zander?” Essie asked, afraid her ears had stopped working.
“He did,” Mark said. “Zander coached me on what to ask for. I simply had to memorize the right answers.”
“Mark helped me make sure you didn’t figure out our plan. He’s my cousin,” Zander said before telling him, “I owe you one, Mark.”
“I’ll collect one day,” Mark answered with a smile.
“Of course you will.”
Zander addressed the group, “Please, everyone, enjoy the beautiful ballroom. The DJ will start playing now. Let’s put on our boogie shoes and celebrate!”
As the music started, Marmalade brushed against the happy couple’s legs and left to find a quieter spot. Essie glanced up at Zander and shook her head in amazement. “How did you enlist the cat’s help?”
“I hadn’t planned that part, but I quickly took advantage of your distraction. Come, Essie. I need to hold you in my arms.”
He swirled her onto the dance floor, moving with his immaculate grace and skill. Essie relaxed in his arms. Zander guided her easily through the crowd as several couples joined them. The sparkle of her engagement ring distracted her from admiring his broad shoulders. Essie tilted her hand, studying it as Zander led her smoothly around the ballroom.
“Did I choose well?” Zander asked.
“It’s exquisite, Zander. I love my ring so much.”
“I’m glad, sweetheart. A wife should treasure whatever she’s going to wear for the next seventy years.”
“That’s a long time, Zander. Do you think we’ll still be alive in seventy years?” Essie teased him. A wisp swirled on the edge of her vision. Essie turned her head, spotting two familiar lovebirds who joined the celebration.
“They’re here, Daddy!” she whispered to Zander.
“Who?”
“Edmund and Esther. They’re here dancing and celebrating with us.” Her aunt had played such a supportive role to Essie over the years. Having Esther here meant the world to Essie.
“Do they look happy?” he asked with a smile.
“Ecstatic. And he’s almost as good a dancer as you are,” Essie said and laughed at Edmund’s loud Harrumph! in response. “Do you think they’ll stay forever?”
“Probably until they’re sure you’re safely settled. When they decide you and Ferguson’s Folly don’t need them anymore, maybe then they’ll rest,” Zander suggested.
“Maybe not. They’re really enjoying dancing.”
“Those lights will bring them back for many balls to come. Now, how long do you intend for us to stay?” Zander asked, watching her with a familiar fire in his gaze.
“I can’t leave until the last guest is gone, Zander.”
“Torturing your Daddy is not a good idea,” he teased.
“But it’s so much fun!” Essie said. Her heart floated on a sea of happiness in this lovely ballroom. She understood. She was exactly where she was supposed to be.
On their next circle around the dance floor, she spotted Sara with a glass of champagne. Essie smiled and waved when Sara lifted her crystal flute in silent congratulations. “Sara’s here too. How did you gather our friends without me finding out?”
“You are a busy woman, sweetheart.”
Even as she rolled her eyes, Essie knew he was right. A herd of elephants could have run down their town’s main street at noon, and she wouldn’t have heard about the commotion. Her gaze landed on Tiffanie as she stood talking to Phineas.
“Did you see Tiffanie? She seems stronger and healthier.”