Gray-haired Joe came over to the table, holding his pad in his wizened hands.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” he said, smiling, clapping Daniel on the back. “When’s the big day?”
Emily watched Daniel falter. He seemed just as bemused as she felt. Everyone wanted answers to questions they hadn’t even asked themselves.
“Not sure yet,” Daniel stammered. “We haven’t ironed out any of the specifics.”
They ordered their waffles and pancakes and once Joe had left in order to prepare their breakfasts for them, Emily got her nerve up to ask Daniel some questions.
“When do you think we should set a date for?” Emily asked.
Daniel looked at her with wide eyes. “Oh. I don’t know. You want to do that already?”
Jayne’s warning echoed in Emily’s mind. “We don’t need to fix the specific date but are we thinking of months or next year? Do you want a summer wedding? Or fall, since we are in Maine?”
She smiled but it felt strained. By the look on Daniel’s face, she could tell he hadn’t even thought that far ahead.
“I need to think about it,” he said noncommittally.
“I want a summer wedding,” Chantelle said. “By the harbor. With Daddy’s boat.”
“Think about what?” Emily said, ignoring Chantelle and focusing on Daniel. “There are only four options. Sunshine, blustery wind, snowfall, or warm breezes. Which one do you prefer?”
Daniel looked a little taken aback by Emily’s somewhat snappy tone. Chantelle, too, seemed confused.
“I don’t know,” Daniel stammered. “There are pros and cons to all of them.”
Emily felt her emotions swirling inside of her. Was Jayne right? Had Daniel proposed without even thinking about the fact that there was supposed to be a wedding at the end of it?
“Have you told anyone?” Emily probed further.
Creases of frustration appeared across Daniel’s forehead. “It’s been less than twenty-four hours,” he stated plainly, hiding the irritation Emily knew she’d stoked in him. Between his teeth he added, “Can’t we just enjoy the moment?”
Chantelle looked from Emily to Daniel with concern in her eyes. It wasn’t often they bickered and the sight clearly alarmed her.
Seeing the little girl looking worried struck a chord inside Emily. Whatever concerns she herself may have, it wasn’t fair to let Chantelle get caught up in them. This matter was for her and Daniel to resolve.