“Come on, let’s head back,” Emily said, moving out of the embrace and taking both of Daniel’s hands in hers.
“You sure?” he asked.
She nodded. Breaking the news of their engagement to Chantelle was now Emily’s greatest desire. She was feeling suddenly confident and proud, and she wanted the whole world to know it. She wanted to stand on the widow’s walk of her inn and shout the news across town so everybody could hear for miles around.
But as they strolled along the beach in the direction of the B&B, Emily felt her nerves begin to creep up on her. Making announcements wasn’t exactly her favorite thing to do, and there would surely be no way to sneak in without people questioning their absence. That’s not even to mention the ring. It was hardly inconspicuous. Anyone with eyes could see it sparkle from a mile away.
Emily couldn’t help but imagine all of those faces gazing at her, some with supportive expressions but others with judgmental ones. Right now, their engagement belonged to her and Daniel and no one else. It was a private thing, a shared state of bliss. But as soon as they broke the news to others they would be inviting opinions into that sacred space.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be like that at all, Emily thought as she strolled. Maybe the townsfolk would have been liberal with the mimosas in their absence and would all be so engrossed with their drinking, dancing, and merriment that they wouldn’t even notice them return.
They reached the small path that led from the beach up to the street where they lived. Emily climbed up the steep bank first, Daniel following. As she emerged through the trees onto the sidewalk, she could see the lights of the inn glowing and hear the sounds of music and laughter floating through the air. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
“Ready?” Daniel asked as he drew up beside her.
Emily took a deep breath. She was nervous but also felt more confident than ever, like she could take on the world.
Hand in hand, they slowly walked along the drive, past the carriage house that was once Daniel’s home, then up the porch steps and in through the front door of the Inn at Sunset Harbor. Immediately, warmth and brightness enveloped them. The comforting smells of Thanksgiving foods – turkey, cranberries, corn, pumpkin pie – permeated the air. Emily instantly felt the love ebbing through the inn.