Page 93 of Looking for Leroy

He looked down into her surprised face. “And you’re right, it does feel risky. To me too. But did you really mean it? What you said? Do youreallylove me?”

“Yes.” She firmly nodded. “I meant it. I love you, Leroy Sorrentino. And I don’t care who knows it or what happens next. But yes, I do love you.”

He felt a rush of emotion. “Okay then, I’m going to say it too. I love you, Brynna. I’ve loved you since the first day I met you at camp. You were sitting on the bench and looking so blue, and I asked to take your picture as an excuse to talk to you.”

“Really?” Her eyes grew wider. “You really still love me? After all my crazy waffling? The human ping-pong ball?”

He kissed her and suddenly all the light and color flooded back into the world—only brighter and clearer than ever before. He kissed her again, and it was like sweet music and the scent of grape blooms and—and fireworks! “I love you, Brynna,” he said quietly. “I really do.”

“And you aren’t going to send me away?” she asked with shining eyes.

“Never. You’re staying here with me. Welcome home.” He wrapped his arms around her and, holding her close, he listened to the happy thump-thump-thump of Babe’s tail against the wooden porch. His dog approved.

Two Weeks Later

The dinner set out on Leroy’s back deck looked more festive than any that Brynna had secretly observed through the lace curtain spy-hole in the cottage’s bedroom. Although she could recall how lonely and left out she’d felt back then, after the past two weeks with Leroy, that old memory felt like another lifetime.

Tonight, the long dining table was set with a potluck of foods brought here by Leroy’s family. His mother, Gina, Luna, Sophie and Garth and the kids, and even Sherry and her husband and boys—fourteen of them all together—were taking their chairs and congenially lining up on both sides of the table. Despite the hot family discussion just yesterday when Luna had arrived, no one was fighting now.

Brynna smiled when she saw Leroy take his seat at the head of the table. His eyes twinkled, and he grinned like a little boy with a big secret. Oh, she suspected some at the table might have an inkling as to what was up his sleeve, but she was the only one who knew for sure what their host was up to. And what a lovely summerevening for this joyous celebration. The sky was cooperating with a canvas of coral, amber, and periwinkle and, as the sun sank low into the golden horizon, the warm summer air felt like velvet against Brynna’s bare arms. Had there ever been a more perfect day?

Everyone now seated at the table appeared to be in good spirits, but none happier than Brynna. Well, except for Leroy. He claimed he was happier. That’s what he’d been telling her these past two weeks of what felt like the sweetest courtship of all time.

And it was Leroy who’d actually planned tonight’s gathering. He’d invited his family, and since he wasn’t much of a cook, he’d also invited them to bring their favorite dishes. Brynna suspected Sophie might’ve helped orchestrate the food since all the dishes seemed to complement each other. Leroy had put Luna and Gina in charge of the table, which looked splendid with fine table linens, fresh flowers, and golden glowing lanterns. It was truly magical!

Leroy bowed his head to ask a blessing on the meal. It was the usual prayer of gratitude, but after he said amen, he encouraged everyone to lift the glasses that Garth had just filled with sparkling wine from the Sorrentino collection.

“I want to make an announcement.” He stood and went over to take Brynna’s hand, helping her to stand beside him. “I have asked Brynna to be my wife, and she has agreed. I wanted to share our happy news with our loved ones. I hope you all will wish us well.” As he turned to kiss her cheek, there was a brief silence, followed by a couple of childish twitters and nervous giggles ... and finally the whole table erupted into cheers and congratulations. This was followed by several toasts, some serious and some just for fun.

Finally, Dorothy raised her glass high. “Here’s to a romance that was planted then forgotten many decades ago. May it blossom and grow, coming into beautiful fruition for many decades to come. God bless!”

They all echoed with a hearty “God bless!” Then Leroy turned to Brynna and sealed it with a kiss.