“I haven’t sensed a great deal of emotion from you at all these past few weeks.” Doreen crossed her arms as she regarded her soon-to-be husband. “This is just another task to you, another day to you.”
Alonzo’s coffee-colored eyes grew wary. “What should it be?”
“I’m giving up my house in preparation of sharing my life with you.” She jerked her chin toward his staircase. “You helped move my suitcases into your bedroom as though you were welcoming a roommate.”
Alonzo pulled his long fingers through his thick hair again. “What should I have done?”
What should it be? What should I have done? Wasn’t this day special to him in any way at all?
Doreen spread her arms. “I wasn’t expecting Harry Belafonte to serenade us. But I think I deserve to be treated like something more than a check mark on your to-do list.”
“I don’t mean to treat you that way.” Alonzo’s expression was stricken. “Do you want me to take you to lunch?”
“We’ve been together for ten months. We’re about to get married. I shouldn’t have to tell you what to do to make this day special.” Doreen blamed him for her ridiculous behavior.
“I don’t know what you want from me, Doreen.”
“I just want you to talk to me, Alonzo. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Nothing.” The look in his eyes told her he was lying.
Doreen stepped back. The back of her calves came into contact with his sofa. The plump cushions were soft against her slacks. She held Alonzo’s gaze despite the pain in her heart. It was less than seven weeks before their wedding and they’d never been farther apart. What was she supposed to do?
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong? There’s nothing you need to discuss with me?” Fear kept her from asking the direct question: Do you still want to marry me?
“I’m sure.”
“All right.” Doreen walked past him toward his staircase.
“Do you want me to take you to lunch?” Alonzo’s ridiculous question followed her as she mounted his stairs.
“No, thank you. I’m just going to unpack.” Doreen never paused.
She kept her chin up as she climbed to the top floor. At the landing, she turned right to enter the master bedroom. Doreen closed the door behind her. She leaned against the solid wood and let the tears flow. Her engagement was a disaster. This whole thing—moving in together, getting married—was beginning to feel like a mistake. But she couldn’t fix it alone and Alonzo wouldn’t even try.
What should she do?
CHAPTER 20
Quincy parked his Buick in front of the garage of one of the Harmony Cabins rental properties. His muscles were stiff as he climbed from his driver’s seat after the six-hour trip from his new home in Philadelphia. He circled the trunk in time to help Ramona from the car.
“Thank you.” She gave him a pained smile.
“Maybe next time, we should stop and stretch during the trip.”
Ramona chuckled as she shut her car door. “You said you were in a hurry.”
“I’m paying for it now.” Quincy glanced up as he heard the cabin door open.
“You’re here.” Audra hurried down the porch steps with Jackson beside her.
She stopped in front of Quincy’s car and hugged first Ramona, then Quincy. The joy on their friends’ faces glowed like neon Welcome Home signs. Emotion swelled in Quincy’s heart.
Quincy embraced the little songwriter before greeting Jackson with a one-armed man hug. He stepped back to get a good look at his childhood friend and owner of Harmony Cabins. “I’m glad to see you’re still shaving.”
Jackson rubbed the side of his face with a rueful smile. “I don’t know why I missed you, Q. We missed both of you.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” Quincy’s words were an understatement.