Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [18]
Carl Hooper left five minutes later and Rachel sprang from her seat, then walked into Heath’s office, approaching his desk.
“Hello,” he said, standing to greet her. “It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too.” Oddly, she felt almost shy now that she actually faced him. They stared at each other a moment before Rachel explained the purpose of her visit. “I have two things for you,” she announced, pulling out the chair recently vacated by Carl Hooper.
“Two?” Heath raised his brows and sat down himself.
“First of all,” she said, opening her purse, “this, as far as I’m aware, is the final payment on my second loan.” She handed him the check, stretching her arm across his desk.
“And as far as I’m aware, you’re right,” Heath said as he took her check. He looked expectantly back at her.
“Also,” she said, feeling flustered and excited, “I have an answer for you.”
“Really.” His voice became suspiciously unemotional. They’d talked about marriage a number of times, but Rachel had always managed to put him off. It didn’t seem right to accept an engagement ring while she owed him money. Now the loan was paid off, she felt free to change that.
“I love you, Heath,” she whispered, wishing she’d chosen the time and place more carefully. In her excitement, she’d rushed to the bank without careful thought. This was a public place, after all—not to mention that Heath’s office door was still half-open.
“And?” he prodded.
“Aren’t you going to tell me you love me, too?” she asked, thinking it was within his power to make this easier.
“No. If you don’t know my feelings by now, then my telling you isn’t going to make a damn bit of difference.”
She could tell he was enjoying himself. He’d leaned back against his leather chair, playing the role of bank president to the hilt.
“If that’s the case, I just might change my mind.”
“Before you do, tell me what’s on your mind,” he cajoled.
Rachel figured he was entitled to that much. “Being your wife.”
A smile exploded across his face, and he released a long, deep sigh. “At last.”
Rachel agreed; it had been a long time coming, but now she was sure this was what she wanted, what was right for Heath, and for her and Mark.
“What took you so long?” he asked, coming around to her side of the desk.
He didn’t know? Hadn’t figured it out himself? “I made the last payment,” she said, standing to meet him. “I couldn’t agree to become your wife while I owed you money.”
“Sure, you could have,” he argued and then, right there in front of anyone who cared to look, he kissed her.
Rachel quickly became absorbed in the kiss, twining her arms around his neck, but not so absorbed that she didn’t notice how quiet the bank had become. When Heath broke off the kiss, he gently disengaged her and hurried to his door. Flinging it wide-open, he called out, “We’re engaged!”
His announcement was instantly followed by a chorus of congratulations and applause from staff and customers alike. Just as quickly the questions came.
“When’s the wedding?”
“Does Lily know?”
“You aren’t closing down The Pizza Parlor, are you?”
“You’re going to live in Buffalo Valley, right?”
Rachel and Heath glanced at each other, but they didn’t seem to have any ready answers. At least Rachel didn’t.
“The wedding’s soon. Very soon,” Heath insisted, his arm around Rachel’s slim waist. “Right?”
Rachel blushed and nodded.
“We’ll tell Lily this evening,” Heath continued, and once more looked to her for confirmation.
“I won’t be closing the restaurant,” she added. This had been the subject of repeated arguments between her and Heath. He didn’t want her to work, but the restaurant was hers and she wasn’t willing to give it up simply because she was marrying a wealthy