Mick shrugged. “I might have even picked one out.”
“No shit? Congratulations, man!” He rose to shake his hand and gave him a swift thump in the shoulder.
“I know she’s going to say no, but—”
“Wow, great attitude, Mick.”
“—but I had to let her know how I felt. She’s doing a great job of building a life for herself here. And she’s happy, and that’s the most important thing. But I thought I should let her know how I feel. Tell her that maybe if she’d be open to a life with me, then maybe we could work something out.”
“Very poetic,” Jack mumbled.
“So I thought I’d throw the idea out there.”
“Send it up the flagpole and see if she salutes.”
Mick laughed feebly. “Yeah.”
“You know, just having a conversation with her might have sufficed. The ring might be overkill.”
“You think? I thought it might increase my chances.”
Jack rolled his eyes.
“And it comes with a thirty-day return policy,” Mick offered honestly.
Jack burst out laughing. “Very practical of you. Do me a favor and don’t tell her that, okay?”
Mick’s sigh was deep, almost painful. “Seriously though, what do I have to offer but a future of sleepless nights and moves across the country?”
“Uh, maybe your lifelong devotion. Maybe the possibility of having children if she wants. Maybe the idea of growing old together.”
Mick was quiet as Jack’s words settled in. “Well, keep your mouth shut till I get the nerve.”
Jack nodded. “I swear it,” he said, raising his right hand with mock solemnity. “Seriously, man. You have my word. I never go back on it. So how many days left?”
“What do you mean?”
“How many days left on the return policy? How long have you been sitting on this?”
Mick shrugged. “A week or so.”
“And you were thinking of asking her… when? Before retirement?”
“When I get the nerve, asshole.”
Jack held up his hands and turned back to his work.
“Sorry, man. I’m on edge.” Mick raked his fingers through his hair. “I was actually hoping sometime before Spring Break. That way, if she actually does say yes, we might be able to fly out to her parents so that I could ask them a bit more formally.”
“Nice touch.”
“But then the whole police thing happened, and I didn’t think the timing was right.”
“True enough.” Nodding sagely, Jack glanced at his watch and gathered some files from his desk. “Well, I’m off to tell three mids that they failed their last exam.”
“Be kind, Jack. Nuclear physics doesn’t come easily to most of us.”
Jack smirked. “Apparently, it’s easier than proposing to a woman.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Shifting uneasily in her kitchen chair, Lacey gazed out into the morning rainfall watching the birds battling for seed on Maeve’s feeder. “Mick, did you hear what I said?” she asked awkwardly into the phone.
“No, I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else. What did you say?”
“I offered to fix you dinner at your place tonight, rather than go out.”
“God, no,” Mick said too quickly.
“Is my cooking that bad?”
“No, what do you mean?”
Lacey heaved a sigh, getting up from the kitchen table to pour another cup of coffee. “Your refusal was a little too enthusiastic.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to do something special tonight. That’s all. It’s been a while since I’ve taken you out.”
“You took me out just a few days ago.”
“Something nicer, though.” His voice was grave. “No, we definitely need to talk.”
His strange tone did not escape Lacey. “And we can’t talk at your house?”
Lacey could hear him swallowing a curse. “No, Lacey. We can’t.” There was a lengthy pause. “We’re going to Eagle’s Point.”
Frowning, Lacey’s eyes met Bess’s as her friend shuffled into the kitchen. “Okay. I’ll see you at seven, then.” Hanging up her phone, she stared out the window watching the thick drops of rain pound into Maeve’s already battered lawn.
Bess touched her shoulder. “Why so glum?”
“Hmm? Oh, nothing. Want some more juice?”
Bess leaned on the kitchen table during her descent to the chair. “No. I’ve peed enough this morning. Are you and Mick still going to dinner tonight?”
“I think so.”
“Are things all right with you two?”
“I have no idea, really. He’s been acting so strange lately.”