Just Say Yes: The Proposal (Wedding Novellas Book 1) Read online

  “Yes. I have a very special day on Friday and I need to know if your flower shop can make several bouquets and deliver to the K Meadows Winery before six.”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem, depending on the flowers you want. What did you have in mind?”

  “My girlfriend loves calla lilies, purple ones, and I know they are difficult to get,” I say.

  She nods. “Cutting it kind of close, aren’t you?”

  I shrug. “Well, everything else is in place, but I thought flowers would be a nice finishing touch.”

  “Everything else? Is this for a birthday party?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. No, I’m proposing to her on Friday evening. I have everything but flowers.”

  “Wait a minute. I know you. You’re a reporter on one of the news stations around here, aren’t you?” she says. She steps closer to me as if to get a better look. I refrain from taking a step back. I don’t mind when people mention my job, but I don’t like it when people who watch me on television think we’re close friends and invade my personal space. This woman, although nice to look at, is about two inches closer to me than I would like for her to be.

  “Yes. Channel 4. I do the special interest and social events stories. Finn McCoy.” I hold out my hand. She smiles at me and pumps my hand several times before letting go.

  “I’m Mary. I’m the owner here at Unique Blooms. Thanks for stopping by my store. First of all, congratulations. How exciting for you both. Now about the flowers, it might be tight getting the callas in by Friday. Is there a back up flower your girlfriend likes that we can fall back on if the shipment doesn’t arrive in time?” She pulls down two notebooks of photos of arrangements and asks me to look through them and see if anything catches my eye. I find purple tulips and give her full creative freedom in designing five arrangements. I sketch the layout of the tasting room, telling her what I would like. She makes a few changes to my sketch and we come to a final agreement. After handing her my credit card, I’m ready to get out of there.

  “I’ll call you when we’re headed to the winery. I’m so happy you came to us. We don’t get the opportunity to cater to the LGBTQ community and this is very exciting,” she says. I want to point out that it shouldn’t matter who I am, who I am proposing to, but it wasn’t that long ago that gay marriage was finally made legal.

  “Thank you, Mary. I hope it all works out. If you have a problem and you call me and I don’t answer, that means Amber is with me so text me instead.” I leave the store feeling happy, but wonder where I’m going to put the flowers. We have a practical car with limited space. With weekend luggage, wine and chocolate, it might seem a bit cramped with five giant arrangements of calla lilies in the car with us on the drive to our celebratory weekend getaway.

  Chapter Eight

  “Kevin, why don’t you walk around and get shots of the rows of the vineyard, some close ups of the grapes, some far away. If Carol doesn’t mind,” I quickly add. Carol waves him off and gives him free reign to do what he needs to do. He turns to me, cocks his head, and delivers a silent message of ‘I know how to do my job.’ I give him a quick nod of understanding. Oops. He has to know that I’m nervous so I’m sure I’m forgiven.

  “So run through what you think will happen tonight,” Carol says. It’s Friday morning, the day I’ve been waiting for my entire life. I’m a cross between a hot mess and completely calm and collected. I notice Kevin is filming us so I dig deep and keep my composure while Carol and I are talking.

  “Well, hopefully she won’t notice there will only be a few cars in the parking lot.” Carol nods, encouraging me to continue. “I would like to pop in, walk around like we’re seeing the place for the first time.”

  “I can meet you and give you a quick tour of the cellar and then we can work our way up to the tasting rooms. If you want, we can stop in a few rooms, taste different wines, vinegars and cheeses, but not have a lot out. We don’t want Amber suspecting anything if we go straight to the chocolate pairing. I can pretend to have something to do and leave you and her alone in the chocolate room with Antonio. Then it’s all up to you.” She smiles at me and I can’t help but smile back. I feel an excited chill race through my body and I shiver to release it. “Are you nervous?”

  I nod. “This is the biggest day for me. I just hope I do everything right. The weather will be great. Amber woke up in a fantastically good mood and is actually getting home a little early,” I say. “But we won’t get up here until six for sure. I will stall until then.”

  “Finn, where do you want to do the interview?” Kevin has already walked around and taken video and stills of anything we might use or could possibly use in future stories.

  “Let’s start off by getting a shot of us at the front of the winery so their name is visible then we can walk over to the vineyard.” Carol fixes her hair and I lean over and straighten the collar of her K Meadows Winery polo shirt. She is proud of her accomplishment, but nervous to talk about it. “Carol, just relax and try to focus on me. Once we start talking, you will completely forget about Kevin and the camera. Trust me.” I ease into the interview, asking simple questions about how she got started, why Napa Valley, and what is she most proud of. After a few tries, she loosens up and it isn’t too long before we’re talking like old friends. Some people struggle with being in front of the camera, but Carol blossoms.

  “Okay, Carol, let’s finish the interview in the chocolate room and talk about what is going to happen in just a few hours,” I say. Kevin grabs a few wireless cameras to hide. Thankfully, there are vines on the walls that can easily conceal the tiny cameras. He takes a few minutes to find the perfect places and sync them with his computer. I take that time to look around the room and absorb the magnitude of what is about to take place. I can’t stop from shaking. I cross my arms across my chest, but it doesn’t help. Carol notices, but doesn’t say anything. “It’s just a big step.”

  She nods in agreement. “I’m sure it will be beautiful and I love this idea. If this becomes a thing for the winery, I will have to invest in a few cameras like your cameraman has,” she says. “This is great, Finn. Very lovely. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your special day.”

  I reach out and squeeze her arm. Kevin waves to us that he’s ready to continue with the interview. He uses a tripod to steady his camera and I jump in and ask the final questions.

  “Carol, what is the draw to wineries and romance? Why should couples consider staging a proposal at K Meadows Winery instead of the usual flash mobs or dinner proposals that are so prevalent in our society now?” She contemplates the question and I’m about ready to signal Kevin to cut when she answers.

  “Look around this place, Finn. It’s magical. There is beauty everywhere you look. In the mornings, fog nestles in the rows of grapes. During the day, it’s always sunny. The evenings are quiet. Couples can have picnics up here, drink delicious wine and get a little bit closer to nature. Wine has been around for thousands of years and our little winery gives couples and groups a place to relax and enjoy different flavors.” She’s right and I can’t help but smile broadly at her. She nailed it. I wrap up our interview and ask Kevin to video tape where the hidden cameras are so that if this does become a story, we’ve covered everything. Kevin shows me how to activate the cameras from the computer and after watching me fumble around in utter frustration, decides to set them to motion detection so that I won’t have to worry about them when we walk into the room. I squeeze his shoulder in thanks because he knows I’m going to be worthless tonight.

  “Finn?” I turn around and Carol is behind me with two wine bottles. “Here. Take these and keep them in the car for your celebration tonight. Don’t forget a bottle opener. You are going to the beach, right?”

  I take the wine from her outstretched hands. “Thank you so much. I know tonight will be perfect. Your winery is the perfect place for a proposal.” I give her a quick hug and Kevin and I head out to the van.

  “I can come up tonight
just to make sure everything is going to work,” Kevin says.

  “Thanks, but everything will be fine. We’ve gone over everything a few times out here. I know where I have to be when I have to be there, and I will double check with Antonio this afternoon. He confirmed with me last night and sent me a photo of the chocolate bar. Amber almost saw the photo. I acted like it was nothing, but my heart was pounding.”

  “I’m sure you completely freaked out,” he says.

  I laugh. “You’re so right, but it was all internal.” We smile at each other. As different as Kevin and I are, he has always supported my relationship with Amber. He’s my favorite cameraman. He’s a studio favorite, so I don’t always get him, but when I do, I know he’s going to do some magic and give me the best video and best angle of the story. He’s married with three kids and is celebrating his twelfth anniversary next month. As gruff as Kevin tries to be, he really is a glutton for romance. His proposal involved using the station’s helicopter and flying over a field where he had spelled out ‘Will you marry me?’ with roses. It took him a while to figure out actual roses on stems would stay put, but his initial idea of using rose petals was a complete disaster. The petals blew away in the wind or from the propeller of the helicopter. I heard he had a complete meltdown when he did a dry run and the petals scattered. He had every spare intern racing around town to find roses and help arrange the words before he took his then girlfriend for a nice romantic dinner and helicopter ride over the city. It was almost too dark to see the roses, but it all worked out in the end and he’s still happily married. I’m praying for an easy ride tonight.

  Chapter Nine

  “What are you doing here?” I try to hide behind the front door because I’m half dressed. Carmen is on the other side holding the ring box in her hand.

  “Good to see you, too, Finn. Are you going to invite me in? Or do you want me to stand here and have a conversation with you so your neighbors can see you in your underwear?” Sure enough, Bob and Ellen take that moment to walk their dog by my front door. Both are rubbernecking, either trying to get a better view of me, or figure out why a woman besides Amber is seeing me in my underwear. I grab Carmen’s arm and drag her inside. She looks me up and down and hands me the ring. “Nice boxers. Too bad you’re holding your shirt together.” She wags her eyebrows at me. I roll my eyes at her.

  “Stacy is upstairs fixing the rip in my slacks. Thanks for bringing the ring by. It’s like you could read my mind, knowing I’m behind schedule,” I say. I open the box and I can feel the smile spread across my face as I look at it. “I hope Amber likes it.”

  “What happened to your pants?”

  “You don’t want to know,” I say.

  “No, really, I do. Knowing you, I’m sure the explanation is priceless. Go on. I’m listening.”

  I stare at her, trying to come up with anything but the embarrassing truth. “It’s stupid.”

  She waves her fingers at me. “Nah ah. Spill. Or else I’ll ask Stacy.”

  I sigh. “It was Charley. That ninja jerk cat decided to weave in and out of my legs to get me to feed him. A bowl filled only halfway is empty in his world. To avoid kicking or stepping on him, I had to take a giant spread eagle step.”

  “Your pants ripped?”

  I nod. “Yep.”

  “But you have a dozen suits. Couldn’t you just change?”

  “Amber loves this suit. She likes the way it fits me. Thankfully, Stacy was home today and rushed over before I had a complete panic attack.”

  “Yeah, definitely. I’m glad you called her and not me. I failed home economics in school.” Carmen sits down on the couch, oblivious to my tight schedule. As close as I am to Carmen, I still feel awkward standing in front of her in my underwear. She’s still my boss.

  “Well, I need to go upstairs and see how Stacy is doing,” I say. She waves me off like I’m at the office and I’ve bothered her. I back up slowly thinking that if I maintain eye contact, her peripheral vision can’t pick up my bare legs or nearly unbuttoned shirt. She points to the stairs. “Go.” I duck around the corner, taking the steps two at a time.

  “I’ll be down in a flash,” I say. I hit the top of the stairs and bump into Stacy who is holding my pants in her hand.

  “Who’s here?” she whispers. The fear in her eyes tells me she is worried that Amber is home early.

  “Carmen. Sweet boss who knew I was going to be late getting the ring today. Thankfully, she dropped it off but now she’s camped out on the couch." I hold the slacks up to the light and am pleased. I honestly can’t tell where I’ve ripped them. "Oh, Stacy. You’re a lifesaver. The stitching looks great.” I give her shoulders a quick squeeze and head into the bathroom to finish getting ready. Now that I don’t have to go back into town to get the ring, I take a deep breath and try to relax. I look at myself in the mirror. My face seems to shine and eyes sparkle. I’m happy. This is right. I’m nervous, but I know that Amber is my forever.

  *

  The conversation stops and the whistling starts the moment I walk into the living room. Carmen even claps.

  “Don’t you think she might get suspicious? I mean, you look fantastic as hell, but you’re a bit overdressed for an interview.” Carmen makes me twirl around so she can get a better look at me. “Even your hair rocks.” Earlier today, I was able to get a quick trim and style. I look and feel great.

  “I can tell her it’s because we’re grabbing dinner in Sonoma after the winery.” I don’t sit down on the furniture because I will immediately turn into a lint roll brush and all of Charley’s hair will end up stuck to my suit.

  We all freeze when we hear a key in the door. When the door handle rattles open, we turn into the Three Stooges. I bump into Stacy who is racing toward the kitchen and Carmen knocks over the vase of flowers on the coffee table in her haste to be somewhere else. Feeling our sudden spike of panicked energy, Charley races to leave the room, which makes Stacy lose her balance, fall back against the wall, knocking down a photo. I knew that cat was an asshole.

  “Babe. Hi! You’re early.” Amber looks at the three of us, the flowers on the floor and the busted photo frame.

  “What’s going on? Is there a party that I wasn’t invited to?” She puts her purse down in the chair and walks over to me, kissing me swiftly. Carmen takes that moment to head into the kitchen to get paper towels to clean up the water from the tipped vase and Stacy is suddenly very busy inspecting the frame that fell. I’m a deer in headlights. It takes me a few extra seconds to come up with a story.

  “Well, Stacy came over to fix my pants and Carmen stopped by…” I got nothing.

  “Finn forgot the release documents we need from the winery and I was sort of near the neighborhood. You know that chiropractor on Wyandotte?” Thank goodness Carmen is back in the room, taking over like a boss. Amber shakes her head. “Well, I have this kink in my neck and he’s supposed to be the best. I was on my way over there when I decided I had enough time to give Finn the papers. And since you’re home and both of you are getting ready to leave, I’m going to head to the appointment.” She quickly rearranges the flowers and hands the vase to me. “These need water.” She looks at her watch and nods. “Have a good interview, and have fun this weekend, ladies. It was good to see you again, Stacy.” Carmen kisses Amber on the cheek and squeezes my hand. “I’ll see you next week. Get good video.” She leaves.

  Stacy and I stare at each other. She gets the hint. “Well, the glass didn’t break so it should be easy to pound the corner with a hammer and get the frame lined up again.” She sets the frame on the coffee table.

  “What happened? I walk in and suddenly it’s pandemonium,” Amber says.

  “Charley ran into me and I fell against the wall. I’m sorry about the frame.”

  “Yeah, Carmen scared Charley when she got up quickly,” I say. Amber smiles at us.

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” She leans up against me again. “You look really nice, babe. You know how much I love t
his suit on you.” I try not to shiver as she runs her hands under the lapel, right over my heart.

  “That’s why she needed me here. Grace split her pants.” Stacy points her thumb at me. “She blames the cat, but I think, she split them because she’s upgraded.” She puts air quotes around the word upgraded. She leans over and grabs my almost non-existent muffin top. I smack her hand away.

  “I’ve only gained like five pounds in the last two years,” I say.

  “But you’ve gained some serious muscle,” Amber says. That makes me smile. Amber likes me strong.

  “I’m still blaming Charley for the split. He is in my way, all the time.” I emphasize the word all because nobody believes me. I swear that cat toys with me. He’s sweet when others are around, but when it’s just the two of us, I can almost hear the desolate whistle of a high noon, dusty western duel challenge. One of his favorite games is stalking me. Amber says he’s just being playful, but I think if he had opposable thumbs, there would be more incidents around the house.

  “Oh, stop. You love that boy and he loves you,” Amber says.

  I hrmphf. “I’d rather have a dog. A big one. One that hates cats,” I scowl at Charley. He looks at me and yawns. “Yeah, you’re lucky that mama is home.”

  “Ladies, I’ve got to go. Zoey and I are headed out this weekend for a getaway. Kind of like you two, only not with a winery story and not at the beach,” she says. Her nervousness is starting to show so I lean behind Amber and give Stacy the thumb across the neck. She needs to shut up and leave. Thankfully, Amber doesn’t notice.

  “I’m so excited. I get to visit my favorite wine’s birthplace today with the love of my life and then we get to hang on the beach until Sunday. It doesn’t get any more perfect than that. You girls have fun, too, and let’s try to get together next week for dinner,” Amber says. She gives Stacy a hug and heads upstairs to change her clothes.