Sasha’s Dad (22 page)

“First, this is for you, Dad. Claire and I did it.” Claire held her breath as Dutch took the bag, delighted by his startled expression.

“This is Claire’s night, Sasha.”

“It’s
all
of our nights, Dad. Just open it.”

Dutch pulled out the sweater and his hands stilled. “The sweater.” His voice was a whisper.

“I asked Claire to help me finish it and we did it, just like Mom would have wanted.”

“We owe Mr. Black some credit here, too,” Claire added. Dutch was so quiet—was he upset?

He reached out his hands to Sasha and drew her close. “Come here.” She went to her dad, smiling.

Dutch looked up at Claire. “Claire, you realize we’re all in this together now, don’t you?”

“I never had any doubt, Dutch.”

Sasha pulled away from her dad. “Now it’s Claire’s turn.” They nodded at each other and Dutch sat up. “This is for you, Claire.”

“What on earth?”

Dutch pulled a huge bouquet of red roses from the bag and gave them to Claire. She turned to him, then Sasha, then back to Dutch.

“Thank you so much. You shouldn’t have.”

“Wait a minute. We’re not done.” Sasha pulled out another bouquet, pink roses this time, and handed them to Claire. “These are from me.”

Claire laughed. “Okay, but you both didn’t—”

“We’re not done!” They spoke in unison, which made Claire laugh more.

Dutch removed a small box from his pocket.

A ring box.

Both Dutch and Sasha got down on their knees in front of the couch.

“Will you marry me?”

“Will you let me call you Mom?”

Tears streamed down Claire’s face. “You don’t have to do this. The shop will always be Natalie’s. It’s where Sasha and I spent so much time. The knitting and llamas and yarn tie us all together.”

“Claire, we planned this before we knew what the name of the store was going to be.” Dutch was still on his knees. “Answer me, Claire.”

Sasha stayed on her knees, too, and smiled at Claire. She knew the answer.

“Yes. Yes!” It was the easiest reply Claire had ever given. It came from her heart.

Sasha leaped up and hugged her so tightly that Claire toppled over and landed on her back. The two bouquets of roses spilled onto the coffee table.

Sasha jumped up. “Claire, I’m so sorry!” But she kept laughing.

Dutch’s face appeared in Claire’s vision before she had a chance to sit up.

“Right where I like you,” he whispered. He kissed her long and hard.

Dutch stood and helped Claire get back on her feet. He pulled her into his arms.

“I’m in love with you, Claire, and I want to be your husband. Will you have me?”

“I told you, Dutch, I’m not going anywhere.”

SASHA’S DAD

Copyright © 2010 by Geri Krotow.

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