The Gift by Mary H. Collins (classic romance novels .TXT) 📖

like rubbing salt into a wound.
“I'll be down in a few minutes,” Kimberly said. She knew she would have to go downstairs and see the rest of the Farmer family, including Chad's wife...or girlfriend, whichever.
“I'll be anxiously awaiting,” Chad said jokingly, he'd always had a sense of humor, and that was one of the things she loved about him, but now...she didn't need it.
When Kimberly got downstairs, there was John and Mary Farmer, but where was the girl that she'd seen with Chad earlier?
“It's about time, you showed yourself!” John said as he reached to give her a hug.
“Yeah!” Mary Said, “When Chad told us you were home, we rushed over as soon as possible.”
“Oh...but how did Chad know?” she asked, looking more confused than before.
“We were at the flea market in Sweetwater, when you arrived, Chad was standing outside and saw the cab pull into the drive-way. He immediately called us to let us know that you'd come home,” Mary said as she busied herself in the kitchen.
“Kimberly there is something I need to tell you, let's walk out onto the porch,” Chad said to her.
“Why go outside?” Kimberly asked him, “Just tell me right here. What is it that you want to tell me? That you are planning on being married soon? Or that you are already married?” She was beginning to get hysterical, and didn't know why they were all standing around watching her be humiliated.
“What...? What are you talking about?” Chad asked, he was totally confused.
“I saw you getting into the car with her as I came by your house today,” she said.
“Oh that...?” he laughed.
“I don't think it's funny at all. You should be ashamed of yourself,” she said.
“No! I'm not married, nor am I planning to marry anyone soon...that is unless you want to be married right away...”
“What...? Then who was that getting into the car with you?” she asked, feeling like an idiot.
“That was my cousin, Susan, from California. I was taking her to the airport to catch her flight home. She came here to spend a few days of her vacation, but wanted to be home for Christmas,” he explained.
“But the way she was looking at you...” Kimberly said continuing to embarrass herself, but at this point didn't care.
“When she was three years old her parents were killed in an automobile accident and she came to stay with us. We were like brother and sister, she was two years older than myself. Then when she turned ten, her grandmother in California went to a lawyer and demanded that Susan come live with her. I missed her so much after she moved away, I cried for days, and couldn't sleep. We've continued to keep in touch all these years. I love her dearly, but she's no threat to you, I love you in a different way.”
Was she dreaming or did Chad just tell her that he loved her? She thought.
“What did you say?” she asked to make sure that she'd heard him correctly.
“I said I love you and being that you won't go out to the porch so we can speak privately, I guess I'll have to propose to you right here in front of our parents,” he said as he got down on one knee.
“Wait...hold on one minute, I would have to have some time to think about this,” she objected.
“You'll have all the time you want, but I have been miserable these last three years and I don't want to lose you again...that is if you've not already found someone else,” he said as his face changed to the most pitiful look she'd ever seen.
“No I haven't found anyone...I've never even dated anyone but you...and I do want to marry you, but I need to have time to think things out. After you left for college...you never even contacted me. I thought you had found someone else.
“I wanted to give you time to find yourself. I knew if we married and you didn't pursue your career, you'd always wonder 'what if'. I wanted to call you a million times, but I had to know that you wanted the same things I did.”
This was the most wonderful Christmas she'd ever had. She got everything she wanted. The man she loved and an engagement ring. And when Chad got back down on his knee and slipped the diamond ring ,that was his grandmother's, on her finger she yelled out. “Yes! Yes! I will marry you.”
With all the holiday festivities going on, she forgot to call in to work, so on Christmas Eve, her boss called.
“Kimberly?” he said.
“Yes. This is Kimberly.”
“This is Scott, from the photography studio. You're fired!”
“Thank you,” she said. At that moment she was glad she’d made this trip and knew she wouldn't be going back to New York.


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Publication Date: 11-26-2009

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