An Unexpected Proposal-Chapter 2

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. She’d run away so fast after the incident, that he never got 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 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’ insinuations, 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 opened 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 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 when he’d 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.

Full book coming soon!!!