For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (55 page)

“
We don’t bite, son.
”

They all erupted in nervous laughter until Luke, after another sip of the coffee, tried again.
“
I’m in love with your daughter, Mr. um, I mean Ron.
”
He forced his eyes to meet those of Aggie’s parents and was encouraged at the understanding he found in them.
“
I didn’t want to tell her yet. She seemed to need time to adjust to her life without adding in the complication of a…
”
He struggled to find the right word.

“
Besotted swain? Suitor? Boyfriend?
”
Martha’s eyes twinkled as she slowly modernized the relational words.

“
I guess I’m a little old fashioned. I prefer suitor to boyfriend. Boyfriend sounds so
--
so
--
dispensable.
”

The way Luke paused, thought, reformulated sentences, and tried again was unfamiliar to the Millikens. Ron and Martha were used to the lively and quick conversation that characterized their family, but Luke’s earnest confession of love for their daughter, and his evident desire to treat her well endeared him to them. They smiled their encouragement, nodded at appropriate places, and tried to keep him as comfortable as possible when it was evident that the man just wanted the ordeal to end.

“
I’m sure Aggie told you about William’s visit and how he ‘suggested’ that he and Aggie marry.
”

Martha snickered.
“
She said it was just like Mr. Darcy’s proposal in Pride and Prejudice. I think her words were, ‘it was quite imperious and just as insulting.’
”

Luke shook his head remembering.
“
That’s about right. I overheard it all, and it wasn’t exactly the model proposal out of
Emily Post. Frankly, it was somewhat degrading
.
”
He swallowed hard and clenched his hands together.
“
I confess, my mother and I laughed at how it sounded, but I couldn’t laugh if I thought his heart was involved. I think Aggie saw, as I did, that William was being chivalrous. He truly believes Aggie needs to be cared for, and I agree.
”

Ron’s eyebrows drew together as if annoyed, and Martha’s smile faded. Luke saw their disapproval and hastened to explain.
“
Please understand, I don’t mean to imply that Aggie isn’t doing a marvelous job. She’s a very capable and loving mother to those children. She’s accomplished so much in such a short time. My Uncle Zeke keeps saying that she’s a natural with them.
”
His struggles with words seemed to dissipate as he spoke of Aggie.
“
Even things I know are difficult for her, the cooking, shopping, and housework are kept going even when many mothers would be falling apart. Of course,
”
he added with a smile,
“
having all those little workers does help.
”

The red stole up his neck to his ears once more as Luke tried to articulate what was on his heart.
“
But Aggie needs more. She needs someone to care for
her
--
someone to talk to, cry on, and someone who can dream wonderful dreams with her.
”
He swallowed hard and forced himself to meet the Milliken’s gaze.
“
I want to be that man.
”

The difference between how cautiously Luke spoke of William and himself and the confidence he displayed when speaking of Aggie was remarkable. Ron and Martha exchanged curious glances as the already familiar pauses gave way to undaunted speech. Ron nodded slowly as if processing Luke’s words and asked,
“
And Aggie? Do you think Aggie wants you to be that person?
”

The doubt in Luke’s eyes elicited visible compassion in Martha.
“
I don’t know, sir. I am here to ask permission to see if she can be. I want to leave here, go home, and be able to tell Aggie that you’ve given me your approval to try to win her heart.
”
A sheepish look settled on Luke’s face.
“
See, I told you I was old fashioned. ‘Win her heart.’
”
He made a silly face at his own words.

“
Well, Luke, you didn’t have to drive all the way up here to get our approval, but I’m glad you did. It’ll mean a lot to Aggie that you went to the trouble for her.
”
His hand rested on his wife’s and squeezed it.
“
I don’t mind saying between the three of us that I hope she does choose you.
”

“
Yes! I confess,
”
Martha interjected with a smile so like Aggie’s,
“
I’ve been rooting for you for some time.
”

“
I guess I wasn’t very subtle.
”

“
Well, I’d say it’s more like a mother sees things that others might miss.
”
Martha’s smile was infectious.
“
After all, Aggie’s been so focused on the house and learning to mother those children
--
but I bet Tina and your mother won’t be surprised.
”

“
No,
”
he agreed.

“
But Luke, I want you to do something for Aggie.
”
Martha took his hand and waited for him to meet her eyes again.
“
Give my girl a memorable…
”
she struggled for the word she wanted.
“
I don’t know, courtship seems hopelessly old fashioned, but it works. You guys will never have that special alone time that most couples have for a year or so after marriage. Make sure she has a few months of special times to look back on when she’s older. She’s given up so much already
--”

“
I will, Martha. I will. And if Aggie does
--”
He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“
If the day comes that you want to ask Aggie to marry you, you already have our blessing.
”
Ron spoke, but Martha stood and hugged Luke.

“
I’ll be very disappointed if she doesn’t.
”

Luke’s sigh was almost missed as he grinned and agreed.
“
I will too!
”

~*~*~*~

Libby, helped by Luke’s Uncle Zeke and Aunt Martha, kept the children occupied playing games with all the children so Aggie could
“
rest.
”
Zeke crawled on the floor like a much younger man, with Cari, Lorna, and even little Ian riding his back like a horse. Martha Sullivan played Concentration with Kenzie, losing more rounds than she liked to admit, while Libby played Trouble with Laird, Vannie, and Ellie. Tavish, lost in his book, laid on the couch and ignored the moans, shouts of triumph, and the popping of the Trouble bubble.

When Aggie tried to do laundry, Libby ordered her out of the mudroom. The moment the kitchen sink faucet came on, Martha insisted on the dishes being left for her. At last, left with nothing she was
“
allowed
”
to do, Aggie grabbed her purse and slipped out the back door. She’d go get a coffee at Espresso Yourself and drink it on one of the couches in the corner
--
just her, a coffee, and maybe a slice of cheesecake. They had the best raspberry white chocolate cheesecake she’d ever tasted.

Just as she began turning the van around in the driveway, Luke’s truck pulled in. She started to wave as she continued to drive away, but he held up a coffee tray and paper bag. For a moment, she was tempted to wave, feign misunderstanding, and keep going, but the disappointed look on Luke’s face couldn’t be missed even in the moonlight. She slammed on the brakes and pulled back into her accustomed parking spot.

“
Hey! Thanks! I was just going to go get some coffee and cheesecake.
”

“
Before you call, I will answer? Didn’t Isaiah say something like that?
”
Luke passed the paper bag.
“
They even included forks. I told them it wasn’t necessary, but it was too late.
”

“
I’ve been ordered away from the family. So, I decided to go sit on their couches and have some peace and quiet.
”

“
Will the back swing do instead?
”
Luke took a sip of his coffee.
“
Oops, this isn’t mine. I think you have mine.
”

Aggie tested it and made a face.
“
Oh, yuck. Yep. Definitely yours.
”
She strolled around the corner of the house, oblivious to the adult trio inside who were now distracted from their games.
“
You came just in time.
”

“
Well, it’s probably a good thing. The way you keep erupting in pox…
”

Aggie’s face drained of color.
“
Oh! I completely forgot. That antihistamine that your mom found
--
the stuff that doesn’t make you sleepy
--
it works so well that I forget about those things.
”
She grimaced.
“
Except for when I’m in front of the mirror. Then I feel like Heather Walker from fourth period in the ninth grade. That poor girl had the worst acne I’ve ever seen.
”

“
You can’t look like her then, because your face is not remotely covered like a bad acne case.
”
Luke pulled a clear plastic container from the bag.
“
Eat up.
”

“
Thanks, Luke.
”
Aggie took the tiniest bite of cake and allowed it to melt in her mouth before taking another miniscule bite.
“
Mmm… this is
so
good.
”

“
So, can you guess what I did today?
”
There was something enigmatic in Luke’s tone.

Her eyes widened.
“
You bought that house! The big rambling on
e
between here and New Cheltenham! I can’t wait to see it.
”