A Taste of Honey by Iris Leach

her side and took Charli’s hand. He led her to the front of the table and looked down at her. If she didn’t know better she’d say there was a warm look in his eyes, sort of like, well — love. Get real.
    He took her hand, groped in his pants pocket and came out with a little black box. Her heart leaped in her chest. Was it? Could it be? Maybe it was a broach, or a pair of diamond earrings, which would be good, she reassured herself, and then braced for disappointment.
    “Honey,” Will said. “You have promised to be my wife and made me a very happy man.”
    Yeah, what fairy tale did that come from?
    He lifted the lid and removed a ring that boasted diamonds and pearls. He slipped it on her finger, bent his gorgeous head and kissed her mouth. She wondered if she should say thank you, or return his kiss with all the passion she carried for him deep down inside her heart?
    She gazed down at the ring and remembered reading somewhere that in the 1800s a diamond and pearl engagement ring was suggestive of a diamond tiara across the finger. She loved it.
    She didn’t want to think of the
if only’s
. This was her night to imagine that this was real. Will’s touch of tenderness. This beautiful ring on her finger. Here in this lovely room with all these lovely people who wanted to include her in their family, accept her, and love her. It was such a great night.
    Then everyone was congratulating them. Kisses and hugs all around.
    The night ended in such a warm glow that Charli practically floated to her room. She hopped into bed and fell asleep, her right hand clasped over Will’s ring.

Chapter Thirteen
    Be interested in all she does and always tell her how lovely she looks.
    Be honest and she’ll love you all the more for it.
    Will insisted on seeing her father’s farm. She tried to fob him off, as she couldn’t understand the reason behind his insistence that he hadn’t had time to really get to know her dad, but finally she’d given in and taken him to Rich River.
    Between the two men, a kinship arose; as if there had always been a deeply rooted friendship that was both comfortable and easy. Her father proudly showed Will over the farm and Will behaved as if he’d never been in the country before.
    “I’ve been lucky,” Dad told Will. “I’ve got good revenues to sell my flowers. I’ve made a pretty comfortable life here in Rich River.”
    “A lot of work for one man,” Will said.
    “Not once you’ve got it all under control, and I have a couple of local men helping me out.” He reached out to touch Charli’s cheek. “Not like my kid here. Big knob in a publishing house. She sure is a clever girl.”
    “Take after you, Dad.”
    “Could do worse. And working together is great for a marriage. Why, your mum and me, we were together 24/7 and never once had more than a few angry words. Although she did go off shopping or to the movies once a week. To get me out of her hair, she’d say.” He chuckled. “And I played a round of golf now and then. I think another secret to a good marriage is each having an interest to call one’s own.”
    “You sure found the key, Dad. You and Mum had a perfect marriage.”
    “That we did, love. That we did.” He stood and stretched. “You kids must be starving. I’ll get lunch going.”
    Will stood. “Can I help you, Steve?”
    “No, son, you sit and finish your beer. I like to potter about on my own.”
    Will sat back down and they watched Steve disappear inside the house. “I like your dad,” he said. “He’s a good bloke.”
    “And he likes you.”
    “Do you think so? I like to think he does like me.”
    She leaned over and touched his arm. “You’re easy to like, Will.” She grinned. “Sometimes.”
    “Why do you always have to qualify?”
    “It’s the meanness in me.”
    He leaned over and kissed her mouth. “Yeah, then I reckon I’ll just have to mellow you out.”
    They drew apart as her dad emerged, juggling plates and cutlery. He cooked