Part 23 (2/2)
Brodie grinned, then moved away from the railing and produced a can from the cooler. Holding it high, he yelled, ”I brought Mandy and Rose root beer. Come here, darlin'. Unck will fix you up.”
As Amanda trotted off toward the veranda, Kristie felt Blu tug her close and put his arm around her.
”So, do you think you're going to like being married to the Crew?”
”Married?” Kristie gazed at him. ”What are you saying?”
”Go fis.h.i.+n' in my s.h.i.+rt pocket.”
Kristie slipped her hand into the pocket of Blu's sleeveless white T-s.h.i.+rt and when she pulled it out, she was holding a sparkling diamond ring. Blu took it from her, sat up slowly, and slipped it onto her finger.
”There.”
Kristie glanced at the diamond ring. They hadn't talked about marriage. Oh, she would love to marry Blu. She couldn't think of anything more perfect. Only... ”It's beautiful...”
”But?”
”Are you sure you want an instant family so soon? Maybe you should get used to us in small doses for a while. That way if you change your mind-”
”Perch says I can't have you living with me the way things are.”
”He what?” Kristie pulled back and frowned. ”Is that why you haven't let me stay over on theNightwing this past week?”
”He's right. We should get married.”
Kristie was speechless.
”What, you want me on my knee? Is that what you're waiting for?”
”No. Well, not unless you want to.”
Blu glanced at the crowd on the veranda. They were all laughing, busy talking. All except Rose and Perch. Blu locked gazes with the old man. Perch smiled, then gave a nod. His silent approval put Blu on his feet, then down on one knee. Kristie suddenly felt shy. She fidgeted on the swing, straightened her skirt. When she finally looked at Blu, she found him smiling, staring at her mouth. ”What are you looking at?”
”I sure do love that mouth of yours and how you use it.”
Kristie blushed. ”Blu, stop teasing.”
He gestured to his knee. ”Well, here I am. On my bad leg, too. Is this what you want?”
Kristen shook her head. ”You're all I want. But I'll take the Crew, too, if that's what it takes to spend every night in your arms.”
He grinned. ”Will you marry me?”
”In a heartbeat, Blu duFray.”
The applause from the veranda warned them both that their audience had grown. Blu got to his feet and pulled Kristie off the swing. Then, in front of the Crew-and her grandpa-he kissedhis Angel like a man in love.
Kristie was still enjoying Blu's warm lips when Jackson appeared on the veranda and declared dinner was on the table.
end.
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