Pinky Promise (Riverbend Romance 2) by Valerie Comer Page B

ago? That this babysitting gig by the older generation hadn’t been an impulsive decision this afternoon? Maybe later. Now he was too enthralled with Kelly’s beauty and charm to make any verbal detours. He laced his fingers through hers. “I have my ways.”
    “You must.”
    The May evening was pleasantly warm. A slight breeze lifted off the Sandon River beyond the restaurant, riffling through Kelly’s hair.  
    “We have a few minutes before they can seat us. Come for a little walk.” He glanced down at her footwear. “At least, if you can in those shoes.”
    “Oh, watch me,” she said with a chuckle. “Do you want to see all the flowers Vanessa and I have planted out here in the park in the past two weeks?” She swept her hand around the tended flowerbeds.
    “They look great, but they’re nowhere near as gorgeous as you are.” He couldn’t take his gaze off her, but that was nothing new. “The hanging baskets around the gazebo are impressive. Those are the same style that will be throughout downtown?”
    She nodded. “That’s next week’s plan.”
    They strolled toward the gazebo, arms wrapped around each other. When they stood in the very center, he turned and cradled her close. Then he lowered his lips and savored the taste of her.
    She clutched him and deepened the kiss.
    He pulled away with a groan. “Oh, Kelly. I love you more than I ever imagined possible. I can hardly stand to be apart from you. Will you marry me?” He’d meant to wait until after dinner, but... why? Why, when they had this part of the park to themselves? Why, when more sustenance would come from the answer to his question than from the meal?
    Kelly slid her hands around his neck and tangled them in his hair. Her clear blue eyes looked straight into his.
    Why didn’t she speak and put him out of his misery? Why toy with his heart lying on the line?
    “Ian.” She stretched to kiss him.
    He rested his forehead against hers. “Please, Kelly?”
    “I say yes.” She swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on his. “I also say, when?”
    “Soon,” Ian whispered. “The sooner the better.” He hated to release her even a smidgen, even for a second, but it had to be done. He reached into his pocket and tugged out a small velvet box.
    Her eyes widened. “You planned this.”
    “Of course I did.” He winked and pulled her into his lap on one of the gazebo’s benches. “Here, want to see?”
    “Um, yes?”
    Ian opened the lid and angled it so the sun glinted off the diamond nestling between two smaller emeralds.  
    Kelly sucked in a sharp breath as her finger slid across the three stones. “The girls’ birthstones. How beautiful.”
    “What do you think?”
    “I think yes, Ian. Didn’t I already tell you that?” She kissed his nose, which was a bit awkward since she didn’t stop looking at the ring.
    He pulled it out of its nest and slid it on the third finger of her left hand. Then he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the palm.
    “It’s stunning,” she breathed. “It makes my heart melt you thought of the girls.” Then she glanced at him, a glint in her gaze. “There is something wrong, though.”
    “Does it need adjusting?” He twisted it on her finger. It might be a little loose. “We can take it in Monday.”
    “That’s not it.”
    “Then what?”
    “It looks so lonely. How soon can you place another band beside it?”

    ~*~

    The girls had spent the night at Kelly’s mom’s house. Ian didn’t see Sophie again until after church on Mother’s Day when the children’s church attendees came into the main service and offered each mom a little pot of pansies. Both Sophie and Elena had handed theirs to Kelly, and she’d hugged them both equally, pressing a kiss to each soft cheek.
    Now they were down at Riverside Park again with Chinese take-out. His treat for the three moms in his life: Kelly, Roberta, and his own mother. He and Kelly had talked to their parents last night, telling them of their