An Unexpected Proposal

Here are the first three chapter! You can preorder this book on Amazon for $.99 until April 11. It goes up to $2.99 on the 12th.

1

Chelsea’s feet ached, her back ached, and now her head ached. If Mr. One-more-cup-of-coffee called her over one more time tonight, she’d have a fist ache from punching him in the nose. Simon Warner never tipped, never thanked, and thought that a snap of his fingers would bring her over faster. Not! Why wouldn’t the old geezer take a hint?

Mostly she loved her regulars, but this guy…ugh, don’t get her started. Every time he came in, Chelsea had to remind herself this job was for Dani.

Chelsea rolled her eyes and went back to the galley to grab the pot. This late at night, she hoped it was bitter. Serve him right!

Did Mr. One-more-cup seriously just snap his fingers, again?

Putting on her biggest smile, she went to his table. “Hi, sugar. Can I refill that for you?”

He didn’t push his mug closer. “You got it, Doll.”

She had to lean over to fill it. His hand reached around and pinched her backside. Chelsea jumped, nearly dumping the whole pot in his lap. Her hand itched to slap him, but fear of getting fired kept her fingers wrapped tightly around the handle.

From behind her, Sammie, her boss’s daughter, snickered.

Next time, Sammie could serve him.

“It’s a good thing I didn’t spill this on you, don’t cha know.” Chelsea tilted her head and frowned like that would be the worst thing to happen.

The lecher took a sip. “Yeah, you don’t want a lawsuit on your hands.”

“Neither do you,” she mumbled under her breath.” In the handbook there was a whole section on sexual harassment, but none of it covered a problem with customers.

He set the mug back on the table. “Hand me that creamer, too, will ya?”

Really? All he had to do was reach six inches. I’m not turning the other cheek, she vowed silently. Her hand trembled as she reached across him, making sure her backside was well out of his reach. There were other ways to get even with a pervert. She loosened the lid and handed it back to him.

When he held the spout over his coffee, the lid fell off and dumped the entire contents into his mug, spilling it all over the table.

“Oops, deary me. Somebody should have made sure that was tightened. Let me get you a fresh cup.” She didn’t wait for his reply but hurried back for a fresh cup and another creamer jar. “Here you go, sir.” The smile she pasted on her face was as fake as a candy ring.

When Chelsea returned the pot to the coffeemaker, Sammie leaned against the counter. “Wow, he’s on one tonight. You think he just came from the bar?”

“Probably…with the way he’s downing coffee, you’d think he’s trying to sober up before he goes home to his wife.”

A soft chuckle escaped Sammie before she picked up the rag and went back to wiping the bar. “It’s a good thing he tips big, huh?” The sarcasm dripped from her words like sucrose.

“Right.” Chelsea’s gaze drifted to the hostess who was seating Hyrum. Now there was a regular who was not only pleasant to look at but made butterflies race around her stomach and her heart flutter, and he left more than generous tips on the table. Sammie had tried several times to get Delia to seat him in her section, but he’d always declined, insisting that he be seated in Chelsea’s. But what was he doing here so close to closing time?

Sammie motioned to Hyrum. “Look who just came in. It’s your lover boy.”

Chelsea snatched the rag from her and slapped her playfully on the shoulder with it. “He’s just a paying customer.” Although, if she had to pick a boyfriend, he’d be right at the top of her list. One date, that’s all she wanted. Somewhere public, just in case.

“He’s the one with a hefty wallet…and smoldering brown eyes and kissable lips…I wonder what that would feel—”

Before Sammie could finish, Chelsea threw the rag at her face. “Just stop.” She reached over the bar and grabbed a set of silverware and napkin from the bin and went to her latest customer. “Hey, Hyrum, what can I get for you tonight?”

He took the menu she offered. “Give me a sec, will ya. It’s a big night. I have to mull over the right way to propose.”

Dang! So much for that one date. He had a girlfriend after all. Why hadn’t he ever brought her here? Maybe this diner was too low class for her. Maybe she was one of those stuck-up gold-diggers.

“Take your time, we close in a few hours, but none of us are that eager to go home to our families anyway.” She made sure he didn’t miss the snark in her voice. Although, truth be told, she’d let him hang out here all night with her, maybe let him drive her home. She might even steal him away from his girlfriend. No, Chelsea would never do that. If he was as in love with her as he looked, she would never do that.

His chuckle rang like music. Did his girlfriend find that as attractive as Chelsea did? “That’s what I love about you—your adorable sense of humor.” He grinned up at her, showing a gorgeous set of gleaming teeth.

“Does your girlfriend keeping you laughing, too?” Not that she really wanted to hear about his love-life, especially since she’d never get that one date. Yet, flirting like this with Hyrum always earned her big tips.

“I’d say she’s exactly like you.” His smile deepened. Chelsea’s heart thumped against her ribs. Hopefully, one day, she’d find someone who would make her pulse race like this. Someone she could call her Oh, Dang. Not that creep in college who’d…no! She was not going to give him another thought! It had taken her two years to get over that trauma, or at least squash it enough so she didn’t have nightmares about him anymore.

“I’m glad she makes you happy.” Though she said the words, her heart ached with jealousy. Why did all the good guys get taken? Not that Chelsea should even be looking right now.

“You have no idea how surprised she’s going to be when I propose.”

“I’ll give you a moment to think about how you’re going to…” Her voice stuck on the word. “…propose.” Chelsea went back to the galley.

Sammie leaned over the bar, her elbows on the surface, her hands holding up her head. “Sigh. He is dreamy, isn’t he?”

“Stop drooling or you’re going to have to wipe the counter down again.” Over her shoulder, she glanced at Hyrum. His head was buried in his menu, but he couldn’t hide the odd smile crinkling his eyes. Even more jealous of the woman who would be his wife, Chelsea picked up a stack of paper napkins and rolled silverware inside. “Did you know he’s going to propose to his girlfriend soon?” Chelsea tried to unravel the knot of disappointment in her stomach.

“What? No!” True shock registered on Sammie’s face. “Oh, dang.”

“Yeah, he’s not going to be my Oh, Dang.” Not that Chelsea had time for a relationship anyway. She had Dani to worry about.

Hyrum looked up, the smile broadening. If it got any bigger, his ears would disappear.

Chelsea took that as her cue and went to his table. “Are you ready to order now?”

His excited expression faded, the confidence disappearing along with it. “Would you mind sitting with me for a bit?”

She looked up to see if Mr. One-more-cup needed any attention. His eyes met hers, and his fingers rose to snap again.

“Hold on, Hyrum.” Chelsea shot Sammie a desperate look and a nod in Mr. One-more-cup’s direction.

Sammie gave her a thumbs-up.

Chelsea’s gaze went back to Hyrum. One date, that’s all she wanted with him before he proposed, just to say she’d gone out with a wealthy bachelor just once. “Okay, you have my undivided attention.”

Hyrum reached in his pocket and pulled out a ring case.

Oh, great! Now she got to be legitimately, unquestionably jealous of the rock he planned to give his girlfriend.

He slid out of his seat, knelt in front of Chelsea, and opened the case so she could get a long, begrudgingly envious look.

It was exactly as she’d pictured. Huge. Extravagant. Expensive.

“Chelsea, the waitress.” He swallowed. “Will you marry me?”

What the what? Did Chelsea hear him right? Was there wax in her ears? Her imagination playing tricks on her? She shook her head. Oh, right. Practice on the poor, lowly waitress. Maybe he’d give her a bigger than usual tip tonight if she played along with him. “Ah, Hyrum, you’re so wonderful, and charming, and sweet.”

“Just say yes.” His gorgeous eyes begged. Was that good acting or sincerity?

Chelsea pushed the ring back toward Hyrum. “I don’t think you’ll have to beg her if she’s already crazy about you.”

Hyrum’s hand dropped in dejection. “See, I don’t know if she’s crazy about me or not. I mean, we’ve only known each other for a few months.”

She drew her eyebrows together. “Then how can you be proposing so fast?”

“It’s…well…”

Chelsea had never known Hyrum to be without words. “Then maybe you should wait.”

“I can’t. I’m afraid…well, I’ll chicken out if I don’t do it now.”

Shaking her head, Chelsea studied his face. What in the supreme meal deal of the day was he talking about?

He slunk back into his seat. “I don’t have a girlfriend. Chelsea, I’m asking you to marry me.”

Laughter in the form of a snort broke free of its own accord. “Oh, you funny boy.” She stood and pulled her order pad from her apron. “Okay, you played me good.” Part of her wanted to believe someone like Hyrum would propose to her, but only after a whole bunch of dates, and falling in love and… “What can I get for you? Your usual, bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich smothered in ranch dressing?”

Hyrum took the notebook and pencil from her hand and set them on the table, then took her hand. “You—I want you.”

This could not be happening. Sure, she thought he was handsome, smart, kind, funny—but way out of her league. Why would someone like him want to even date her, let alone marry her? Unable to summon her tongue, Chelsea stared at him, then down at his hand holding hers. Warm, comfortable, like they were meant to be touching like this.

Ah, nuts Chelsea! You’re an idiot to even be thinking about something so preposterous right now. Even if he was serious, which she highly doubted, what would he say when she told him about Dani? Nobody wanted to be saddled with a teen with Downs Syndrome.

2

Hyrum’s heart raced so fast around his chest, he thought for sure it would beat right out through his ribs. He’d done nothing but think about Chelsea for the last two years. Before leaving his job as campus security, he’d read an article about her in the college newspaper. She was in the top ten percent of her class. They had so much in common, but he’d been too afraid to approach her after the assault he’d stopped. She’d run away so fast after the incident, that he didn’t get a chance to ask her if she wanted to press charges.  Afterward, she shied away from everyone, especially men. He’d been afraid she’d remember him as the one who’d stopped the assault.

When Hyrum had finally gotten the nerve to go to her apartment, her roommates told her she’d gone home after she’d lost her parents to a freak auto accident, and now she was raising her little sister. Was he being a stalker by following her to Miracle? He kept telling himself he wasn’t. And then there was his parents’ remarks about finding a wife. Even with that, all he wanted was to be there for her.

He could have had any woman he wanted to fulfill his parents’ wishes, but he wanted Chelsea. She was lively, spunky, and always treated customers with the utmost kindness, even that rude man in the corner always snapping his fingers for attention. A simple wave of his hand would have brought Chelsea right to his table. It must be hard for her to have the kind of attention that man shoved on her.

Now Chelsea sat there across from him with her mouth hanging open in stunned silence. Maybe he should have asked her out instead of his rash decision to pop the question. If it weren’t for his father, he wouldn’t be in this awkward position.

“What do you say?” Hyrum tried to take her hand again, but she pulled it back and poised her pencil over her pad of paper.

“I think you’re out of your ever-lovin’ mind.” She chuckled. “So big tips are your way to buy a marriage proposal?”

He leaned across the table and clasped his hands together, not wanting to come across as too forceful. She’d probably run even away faster. “What time do you get off? Can we discuss it then?”

“Alright, Mr. Flirt.” Chelsea ignored his question. “What can I get for you tonight?”

“A yes.” Hyrum had been thinking about this moment for the last two weeks. The more he watched Chelsea, the more he knew she would be his perfect choice. His parents would even approve of her.

“We have the SweetHart’s special, which is barbecue short ribs, with a side of your choice, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, French fries. I recommend the sweet potato fries.”

Hyrum wished he could take back his words now. He really should have asked her out on a date first. But he didn’t have time for courting. He had to secure a wife, even if it was fake, for his father’s sake.

“I’ll take the special.” He handed the menu back to Chelsea. “Will you please at least let me speak with you before you go home for the night?”

Chelsea took the menu. “I’ll get that right out to you.”

Hyrum mumbled under his breath. “And a helping of humble pie topped with a large scoop of vanilla humiliation.”

What would it take to convince Chelsea she was his perfect choice? How could he tell her that all these months of interacting with her had made him fall in love with her? He didn’t believe in love at first sight, but when he’d seen how helpless she’d been—which was a dumb reason to fall in love, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Then with his father’s declining health, Hyrum wanted him to rest assured the family name would continue. His brother certainly wasn’t making any move to settle down.

Now day after day, after he finished with the duties on the ranch, he’d come to the restaurant and studied her gentle nature, her kindness to all her customers and especially the likes of Simon, who didn’t deserve it. He also loved the way she didn’t put up with his antics. The splashes of coffee, the accidental unscrewed lid on the creamer. Her condescending words toward him. If Hyrum was Simon’s waiter, he’d have dumped the entire pot over his head.

Chelsea passed another table, clearly not one of hers, but stopped to chat with them, glancing once over her shoulder at Hyrum, unsmiling, but curiosity clearly written on her face. He would give anything right now for her to turn the corners up in a smile as an acceptance of his proposal.

Give her time. Let her mull it over before turning me down. No, he must think positively. He sent her a silent plea, “Please say yes. You won’t regret it. I’ll make it worth your while.” He hoped his eyes said, “I love you.” What he probably looked like was a love-sick teen, and that would make her run the other way. If he could at least fake an engagement with her, perhaps over time, she’d fall in love with him. He’d prove he was perfect for her in every way, so perfect that she couldn’t turn him down. He’d have to watch for every opportunity to convince her.

3

Chelsea took the glass from the customer at Sammi’s table. “I’ll get that right out to you.” She tried to laugh off Hyrum’s proposal like he’d just laid the biggest joke of the century on her.

But the look in his eye said he was dead serious. But why her? All Chelsea did was wait on him, and…well…flirt a little. If he’d let any of the other servers take care of him, would he have left as big of tips? Probably because he seemed like that kind of guy. Why had he singled her out? She shoved Hyrum’s order under the clip and spun it for the cook to take.

Mr. One-more-cup snapped his fingers. Apparently, Sammie hadn’t gotten to him fast enough. Glad her coworker and best friend had been busy at another table, Chelsea used her irritating customer to avoid discussing something so silly with her. She’d have probably said, “Go for it.” But how would she ever explain Dani? Chelsea shook her head. He wanted marriage to Chelsea…of all the crazy, ridiculous things!

At the counter, Chelsea picked up the pot of coffee. “Remind me to thank you later,” she said as she passed Sammie taking an order from a family.

Sammie shot her a surprised look, glanced at Mr. One-more-cup and whispered, “Me? For what?”

Chelsea didn’t stay to answer. It was better to talk about her comment after Hyrum left. She hoped he wouldn’t wait for her after they closed.

Mr. One-more-cup splayed his hands out on the table. “What took you so long, babe?”

Chelsea took a deep breath. Count to ten…or ten million. “I’m not your babe. I’m not anyone’s babe.” She hadn’t meant to snap at him. Oh, well, maybe she did.

“I’m reporting you to Olivia.” He raised his hand to snap again.

Chelsea grabbed his fist and squeezed his fingers. “She’s not here tonight.” Her glance turned to Sammie who was helping a couple at the back of the dining area. What would she tell her mom?

Mr. One-cup flung his hand away, bumping the coffee pot out of Chelsea’s hand. It shattered on the floor, sending the hot liquid spilling across her feet.

“You’ve burned me,” he hollered and stood, wiping imaginary marks from his shirt with his napkin.

Hyrum stood beside her. “It’s only on your shoes and didn’t even touch your skin.” How had he gotten to them so quickly?

Mr. One-cup flung his napkin onto the table. “I’m going to sue this lousy, roach-infested diner for everything you’ve got.” He stormed out the door, banging the glass against the door frame so hard, it sounded like the glass might shatter, too.

Delia entered the dining area and put her arm around Chelsea’s shoulder. “Are you alright?”

Shaken by Simon’s sudden outburst, the tears burned her eyes, threatening to scorch their way free. What would happen to her job if One-more-cup really did sue the diner? With everything that Olivia and Zeke had gone through to transform the place into the cutest restaurant in Miracle, they couldn’t afford something like this.

Still shaking, Chelsea leaned into Delia for comfort.

“Are you alright?” Hyrum stood beside her. “I’m sure he won’t get away with his threats.”

Chelsea didn’t know about that since Hyrum was the only witness. Hadn’t that lady who got burned by a near boiling cup of coffee won millions of dollars? SweetHart’s wasn’t a huge chain like that. This was the only diner for miles. Simon wouldn’t really do that, would he?

Delia released Chelsea’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go on home. I’m sure the guys can help close up.”

“No, I’m okay.” What Chelsea ought to do was call Olivia and give her a head’s up about the incident. She’d want to know right away. “I just need a little break.”

Chelsea had to get away from Hyrum’s attention. Would he make a reliable witness? With the dining area empty, it would be his word against Simon’s.

Slipping away from Delia, Chelsea all but ran to the office, shut the door, making the barest click of the latch, and slumped into the chair. How much more humiliating could this be? What would Olivia say when she told her what happened? Ever since her boss had given birth to her son, she was more than a little emotional. Having a baby at forty had to be so difficult. Dani was the result of her own mother having a baby after forty. Could Olivia be afraid her little boy might have disabilities?

Trying to control the shaking of her hands, she dialed Olivia’s cell.

“Hey, Chelsea, everything okay?”

Chelsea swallowed the tears trying to break free.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Olivia had this sense to know when something was wrong with one of her employees. “First of all, is everyone okay?” She’d asked the same thing with every phone call since the fire a couple of years ago.

“We’re fine.” Except she wasn’t fine.

“Then tell me what’s going on.” Olivia waited.

Had Hyrum’s proposal been enough to rattle Chelsea for her to overreact like she had with Mr. One-more-cup? “I’ve had an incident with a customer, that turned out bad…really bad.”

Olivia was quiet the whole time Chelsea explained what happened. “Maybe you should take a couple days off,” her boss finally replied.

Chelsea couldn’t afford to take any time. She had mounting bills, her sister to care for…

“Just until this blows over.” Olivia filled the silence between them.

“Can I work extra shifts once I come back?” The knot in Chelsea’s stomach grew tighter, threatening to strangle her insides.

“We’ll talk about it in a couple of days.” By the business-like tone in Olivia’s voice, Chelsea knew her boss wouldn’t make any decisions until after everything had cleared. “Tell Sammie I’ll be down around ten to lock up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Chelsea pressed the end button and laid her head on the desk.

A soft knock came at the door. Probably Delia checking in on her. The door peeked open, and Hyrum stuck his head in. “Are you alright?”

She would be if she didn’t get fired. As it was, there were so few jobs in Miracle for her skills. If only she’d finished college and gotten her accounting degree. The last place she wanted to apply at was the Greasy Spoon, the only burger joint in town. Not wanting to speak with Hyrum, especially after the surprise proposal, Chelsea put on her best smile. “I’ll be fine. He just had me a little rattled.”

“I…” Hyrum hesitated.

Please don’t bring up the marriage offer. “Really, I’m okay.” She wasn’t about to tell him that her job might be on the line.

He came all the way into the office and stood across the desk from her. “Can I give you a lift home?”

“No, I’m okay to drive.” Chelsea pulled a set of keys from her pocket. “And I’m only up the street a ways.”

“You’re sure? It’s really no trouble.” He sounded like a puppy begging for a treat.

Chelsea forced a smile she didn’t feel. “I’ll be fine.” She also didn’t want him to know where she lived. Granted, he was kind and handsome. But then so was that guy she’d gone out with in college. He turned into Russian hands and Roman fingers, and lips that wouldn’t stay away. If campus security hadn’t shown up…Chelsea shuddered.

Hyrum left the office.

If only she’d been as firm with that guy whose name she chose to forget as she’d been with Mr. One-cup.

Chelsea waited for a good fifteen minutes to make sure Hyrum had left or at the very least gone back to his table. She stuck her head out the door. Not seeing him anywhere around, she waited for Delia to seat a group of teens. Presently, she returned to the cash register. “Are you alright?”

Why did everyone keep asking that? Of course, she wasn’t alright. Mr. One-cup had ruined her evening, maybe even her life. “Well, I was okay until Olivia suggested I not work for a couple of days.”

“Take a long hot bath and put some lavender oil in your water.” Delia reached behind the counter and handed her a vial of her favorite concoction. “Oh, and that table you were waiting on…”

“Hyrum Stockton,” Chelsea answered quietly.

“He left you a tip and asked me to give it to you personally.” Delia handed her an envelope.

Hesitantly, Chelsea took it along with her lavender oil and put them in her apron pocket. Was this another bid for her ‘yes’ answer? Hopefully she’d be back at her job before rent was due and she wouldn’t need a financial reason to say yes. “Thanks, Delia.”

She headed out the door and stopped when she spotted Hyrum pacing the sidewalk in front of the diner.