“Okay, so I get that the idea of the bed and breakfast thing makes you angry because it wasn’t originally your idea, but have you not talked for years about doing something like that?”
I chewed the corner of my lips. “Well, yeah but that’s beside the point.”
“Why? Do you like Adaline?”
My heart jumped to my throat. “Yes. Very much.”
“Do you not think Malcolm saw that and took that into consideration before he made this move?”
I shrugged even though she couldn’t see me. “I guess so.”
“Paislie, I get you’re feeling like Malcolm made some serious decisions without consulting you, but stop for a few moments and ask yourself this. If he had asked you to marry him, then asked you about buying the house and vineyards with Emmit and his family, then mentioned the possibility of the bed and breakfast, what would you have said?”
I thought for a moment. “I would have said yes to all of it. I love that he and Emmit are reaching outside the box and trying something totally different, but it’s also a little scary for me to think he’s doing this with someone else. What if they have a fight? I mean they bought a damn house together!”
Elizabeth chuckled. “I see your point, but I also don’t think of Malcolm as someone who would make such a decision without really thinking it through.”
I nodded as I sat down on the bed. “I honestly think I’m more upset by the fact that I was the last to know any of this. Did he not tell me because he was worried I would say no to his proposal?”
“Maybe, or maybe he really thought he was surprising you.”
My lip tingled as I realized I was biting it. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I asked, “Do you think I overreacted?”
“Yes and no. I would probably have a talk with him about future decisions and that you want to be a part of them.”
“Totally,” I barely said as I stood back up and paced the floor. “It all just seems so fast, Elizabeth.”
“And there we are to the root of the issue.”
My head dropped back. I knew she was right. One second I was engaged and the next, I discovered I had a house bigger than the one I was currently in, another family living there with us, a vineyard, olive trees, and possibly going into business with a person I hardly knew. Plus add in a wedding, my own career and the idea that as each day went on, I longed for a child more and more.
“Ugh! I want to scream!”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Then scream.”
I followed her advice as I grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.
“Feel better?”
“Some,” I said with a giggle. “I’m scared I’m going to wake up and this is going to be a dream and I’ll be standing on the steps again looking up at St. Patrick’s.”
“Oh, Paislie, it’s not a dream and if anyone deserves to find happiness it’s you.”
“It feels like a dream,” I whispered.
The soft knock at the door had me spinning around and rushing over to open it. Malcolm stood on the other side holding a Diet Coke and a small tub of Ben and Jerry’s. With a smile, I motioned for him to come in.
“Elizabeth, thank you for listening to me. I’m going to run now.”
“He showed up, didn’t he?”
Grinning, I replied, “Yes.”
“I’ll talk to you soon, Paislie. Remember, fall to your knees and seek guidance. He’ll always be there for you.”
“Thank you, I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Soon! Tell Malcolm I said hello.”
“Will do.”
I hit End and stared into his beautiful blue eyes.
“You brought me soda and ice cream?”
He gave me a small shrug and said, “Emmit’s suggestion.”
I took the spoon and the ice cream and sat on the end of the bed as Malcolm sat next to me. One bite and I felt like I was in heaven.
“I’m sorry I got so upset. It’s just everything hit me all at once and I got a bit scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Malcolm, imagine dreaming of a life someday that you never thought possible. Then you meet your prince charming, he offers you the world, but he offers it to you all in one sitting. You’d be a little scared.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I know I should have talked to you about it, even Adaline told me I needed to tell you, but I honestly was just trying to surprise you. If this is something you’re not interested in doing, we’ll figure it out.”
I took his hands in mine. “Malcolm, I really am excited for this new adventure you’re going on, but I’m not going to lie and tell you it doesn’t make me nervous. It does, especially with you not talking to me about any of it. One thing you have to do is talk to me about something before you go off and do it. We’re a team now, Malcolm, and we need to decide on our future together.”
He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. I knew deep in my heart everything would work out, and a part of me was excited but I wouldn’t let myself jump ahead.