Marry Me by Autumn Macarthur

Author:Autumn Macarthur [Macarthur, Autumn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Faith, Hope, & Heartwarming
Published: 2020-02-22T16:00:00+00:00

Mel hated the way she listened for the creak of Mark’s tread on the stairs and the rattle of his key in the lock. She didn’t even bother trying to pretend the only reason she wanted him home was for Alia’s sake, so they could go Christmas tree shopping.

That would be a lie. And besides, worn out by the excitement of a new dress, a new daddy, and a wedding, the kiddo still napped. Even anticipating the fun of choosing a tree wasn’t enough to wake her.

Paula looked up from her puzzle. “Sit down, girl. You’ll wear out the rug with your pacing. Now you’re done with the laundry and have the Christmas things down from the attic, I want to ask you something.”

Taking a seat opposite her at the dining table, Mel sat. Whatever this was, it probably wouldn’t be good. Or was that just what she’d come to expect? Where was her inner Pollyanna when she needed her?

A deep breath to brace herself would have to be enough.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad.” Paula’s placid smile reassured Mel. “But I’ve been thinking. Now that you and Mark are married, I should move upstairs. Let you have this apartment.”

Mel opened her mouth to argue, but Paula raised a hand to stop her.

“Hear me out. It’s much bigger down here than upstairs, and Alia is settled in her room. It feels right to give you two some space and some couple time. I heard what Dr. Jeff said about your honeymoon, and he was right. Newlyweds shouldn’t have a mother-in-law always there. It’s no way to start a marriage.”

Mel stared at her. Either Paula genuinely had no idea, or this was her further attempt at pushing them together.

So, how to break it to her? Best to simply tell the truth. Or part of the truth. She’d leave out the part she couldn’t bear to speak about.

“Uh… you need to know… it’s not that sort of marriage. Not like it was with Eric.” Mel pressed a hand against her heart to stop her disappointment at the thought from sinking it. Disappointment she had no right to feel.

“It isn’t? You could have fooled me.” Brow creased, her mother-in-law examined her.

“We both love Alia and want to give her what she wants, that’s all. We’ll stick with our separate rooms unless we have more nights like last night. I’d really rather you stayed in this apartment. Separate rooms and a chaperone. That’s the deal I promised Mark when I proposed.”

“You proposed?” Paula’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

“Yep. The first time I met him. Which was Monday.”

“Monday.” Incredulous, Paula parroted her words again, shaking her head and laughing. “But… that’s crazy. Like you’re characters in a romantic comedy. I assumed you’d known each other a while.”

Mel shook her head. “No. And he didn’t say yes on Monday, either. Last night… well, Alia pressured him into a situation, didn’t she? But the truth is, apart from being her mommy and daddy, that’s all there is between us.

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