Read Online Once Upon a Proposal by Allison Leigh - Free Book Online Page B

Lawrence, the only times she’d had to dress formally were for the annual Christmas parties that her Uncle Harry always threw. “But honestly, Fiona, I’ll feel like I’m gatecrashing.” She knew Astrid Gannon had sent outthe engraved invitations weeks ago, because Fiona had been bemoaning the upcoming party ever since.
    â€œFrankly, I feel like I am gatecrashing,” Fiona countered. “Mark my words. It will be stuffy and boring. But I beg you. Just come for a few minutes. Long enough to give me someone besides Gabriel I can honestly say how nice it is to see.”
    â€œOne of these days I’m going to learn how to say no to you, and mean it.” Bobbie stood up also. Her head felt light from just those few sips of her cocktail. She needed to eat.
    Fiona smiled victoriously and tucked her arm through Bobbie’s as they strolled through the house toward the kitchen. “You’ll be the belle of the ball.”
    â€œNow I know your cocktail has gone to your head,” Bobbie accused wryly. “Since you know as well as I do how un likely that will be. If you want a belle, you’d need Frankie or Georgie.” Both of her older sisters could sweep into any setting and have the masses charmed with barely a flick of their fingers. It was a talent they’d come by naturally from their mother. Even Tommi possessed it—when she could be dragged out from the kitchen, where she usually ended up even when she wasn’t the chef.
    â€œGive yourself a little more credit.” Fiona pulled open the back door for Bobbie. “You might surprise yourself.”
    â€œI doubt it.” Bobbie hugged Fiona. “But I’ll be there, for you.”
    â€œBe where?”
    Bobbie straightened like a shot, spinning around so fast that she nearly tipped over.
    Gabe’s hand shot out, catching her shoulder. “Steady there.”
    She didn’t know which was worse. The dizzying effect of Fiona’s lethal cocktail, the sudden thrill of Gabe’s touch, or the fact that both were probably as plain as the nose onher face to Fiona, Gabe and his daughter and son, who were standing on the porch beside him.
    â€œAt the party tomorrow,” Fiona answered, which was good because Bobbie didn’t seem able to make her mouth work in concert with her brain. “Bobbie’s coming, too. Isn’t that lovely?”
    â€œSure.” Gabe’s gaze rested on her face and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking to save her life.
    What she was thinking about was what he’d asked her to do. And that she knew she should refuse. Again. Which wasn’t something that she could very well tell him right then and there. Not with his grandmother and kids witnessing her non-conversation with him. “I, um, I need to get home,” she finally managed to say to the air in general. She glanced at Fiona. “See you tomorrow.” She moved past Gabe without looking at him directly, and managed to smile at his kids as she quickly ran down the porch steps.
    â€œI’ll come with you.” His deep voice followed her, putting an abrupt end to her hasty departure. “Still need to finish that tile job.”
    She looked back, not meeting his eyes or Fiona’s, and nodded jerkily. “Okay.”
    â€œLissi, Todd, you go inside with Grandma and finish your homework.”
    Bobbie realized belatedly that both of his children were sporting extremely fat, heavy-looking backpacks.
    â€œWe’ll go out for dinner when I’ve finished at Ms. Fairchild’s,” he added.
    They both nodded without argument and went inside the main house with Fiona.
    â€œReady?” Gabe prompted when Bobbie didn’t start moving again toward the carriage house.
    She stopped staring after the children and started walking instead. Even without letting her gaze sidle toward him, shewas excruciatingly aware of him. “Your kids seemed rather