Touch of Madness (37 page)

I don’t really believe it will stop people from approaching me, but it’s worth a try. I had to do something. Everywhere I go people come up to me. They cry, they beg, they offer to pay anything. It kills a little part of me to say no. If I thought I could help them without it killing all of me, I would. But I don’t think Carlton was lying. I’ve changed my telephone number. I’ve even tried to change my appearance. It hasn’t helped much. I don’t blame people for grasping at the only hope out there. I remember the pain, the desperation. I wish I could help. I can’t. It sucks. I forced my mind away from that problem. Tonight was a celebration, damn it. Joe was getting better. We’d talked. He thanked me. We both apologized. It’s still a little awkward, but we’re working at it. Good thing too. Mary asked me to be her maid of honor at their wedding and I’d said yes.

Tom and I walked hand-in-hand up the sidewalk to the Old Spaghetti Factory. This was our restaurant. It was the first place we’d gone together, and still my favorite. I love the food. I love the funky atmosphere. Where else can you sit and eat inside a trolley car, or at a table converted from an old brass bed?

A server escorted us to a table for two in the trolley car. It was the same table we’d been at that first night. I didn’t know if Tom would remember, but I did.

“Can I get you something to drink?” The waitress smiled and gave each of us a menu.

“Sure. And if you don’t mind, we can go ahead and order. I think we both know what we want.”

“Certainly.” She pulled a pen and pad from the pocket of her apron.

We placed our orders, and she left.

We’d been among the first to get here, the restaurant had just opened for the evening. But it was a popular place. People were trickling in. There were couples, families, even a few large groups. Tom had suddenly grown quiet, and I turned my attention back to the table. He was on one knee with a blue velvet jewelry box in his hand. I stared at him, openmouthed. “I’ve been working really hard for you not to read my mind tonight. I wanted to surprise you. Mary Kathleen Reilly, will you marry me?”

For some reason my tongue wouldn’t work. It seemed glued to the roof of my mouth. I managed to nod yes. His smile lit up the whole car. He pulled open the hinged lid to show me the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen; a delicate gold band set with a large marquis-cut diamond flanked by four emeralds. It caught the light and splintered it, shooting sparks of color.

“This was my mother’s ring,” he explained, both proud and shy. “Otherwise I would’ve had to go for something simpler. I hope you like it.”

“I love it. And I love you.” I held out my left hand, and he slid the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, as though it had been made for me.

Tom smiled and kissed my fingertips before rising and getting back into his seat. “How soon do you think we can get hitched? Do you think next week might be rushing it?”

I laughed. “It’s not that simple. There are pre-Cana classes, and—”

Tom groaned. “It figures. Here I’m trying to get you to make an honest man of me before the pack or anyone else has a chance to come up with any objections and you start dragging your feet.”

“I am so not dragging my feet!” I didn’t ask why the pack would object. I knew the answer. Rob had gotten Dusty pregnant; and Ruby was expecting Jake’s baby. But, while Rob was employed and could do his duty as a dad, Jake was dead. There was a good chance the pack would want someone to take his place with Ruby, be a father to the baby. Oh, the whole pack would take part in raising and caring for the child, But the wolves are an old-fashioned lot. They like their children to be brought up in a two-parent household. I don’t disagree.

“I don’t want to risk losing you again, Katie.” Tom smiled when he said it, reaching across the table to take my hand. I looked into those oh-so-sincere brown eyes and my heart skipped a beat. “I swear, if you weren’t Catholic I’d suggest a quick trip to Vegas. But I’m not brave enough to face Mike and tell him we got married outside the church.”

“We could do both,” I suggested.

That raised his brows. “Both?”

“Why not? We’ll get the legal stuff and the honeymoon taken care of right now, and do the big Catholic wedding after we get back.”

“You’d do that?” He asked incredulously. “Mike will kill us!”

I smiled at him. “You’re not the only one who doesn’t want to take any chances. The sooner we’re married, the safer I’ll feel. I’m willing to risk Mike’s wrath. He’ll get over it.”

He laughed and it lit up my heart when he said, “Las Vegas, here we come!”

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