The Autumn Keepsake by Michelle S. Lowe

Author:Michelle S. Lowe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anaiah Press

Chapter Seven

Nicholas carried the hanging basket of pansies and dog treats Tessa had purchased to his truck, securing both items in the backseat.

“I love this place.” She had thoroughly enjoyed the day. “I’ll have to come back,” she said, giving the market one last look before climbing into the front seat of his truck.

“It’s a date,” Nicholas said presumptuously, but he gave her a quick wink before going around to his side of the vehicle. “That is, if I can come with you.”

The ride home was an easy one filled with laughter, as Nicholas, much like his great-aunt, Mrs. Charleston, tried to find the fun in all circumstances. The laughter was short-lived, however, as they neared Tessa’s house, and the big black luxury sports car came into view, parked in her driveway.

Her heart quickened against her chest. “Please, no. Not now,” she said under her breath.

“Who is that?” Nicholas asked, and reluctantly, he pulled beside her drive so as not to block the car.

“Mark Wagoner. The guy I was dating… before I met you,” Tessa faltered. She hated everything about the situation at hand. Mark’s unexpected appearance had ruined a perfect day, to say the least.

“I see,” Nicholas said, his carefree demeanor suddenly deflated.

“I’ll ask him to leave,” Tessa said, desperately praying the encounter with Mark would simply go away.

“You don’t have to do that,” Nicholas said.

“I want to,” Tessa reassured him. She touched Nicholas’s arm briefly.

He turned off the engine and got out to follow her, but he stayed some distance behind.

“Hi, Mark,” Tessa said, uneasiness seeping from her words. “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t answer her question but instead countered her with, “Who is that?” He looked into the tall fire chief’s direction.

“This is my friend, Nicholas Beck. We’ve been at the farmer’s market getting flowers.”

The explanation sounded silly. Besides, Mark wouldn’t care where they had been, just that she was with someone else. After he had treated her so terribly. And he wasn’t being any nicer at the moment.

Mark studied Nicholas from head to toe in a particularly pompous manner, which instantly irritated Tessa to her very being. “Why are you here, Mark? I’ve told you that I don’t want to see you anymore…” she said.

Mark physically shrugged off her questions as well as Nicholas’s appearance. He made a huffing sound. “Well, it’s not exactly the way I wanted to do this, but I feel like there’s no time to waste.” He gave Nicholas an exasperated look.

In horror, Tessa watched as Mark got down on one knee in her driveway, opening a box he had retrieved from his pocket. “Tessa, will you marry me?”

“Tessa, thank you for going with me this morning. I’m going to leave now,” Nicholas said calmly from behind her.

Tessa turned and watched him walk away, her heart tearing into a million tiny pieces. Nicholas had been a perfect gentleman the entire day, and she didn’t want him to leave. He was one of the kindest people she had ever met. He was loved and respected for good reason.

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