Xavier sighed heavily. "I've had to face some heavy truths in the past two years, and though it was painful, it opened up the way to a life I thought I would never have again. I just wanted the same for you."
Penn gave a pained laugh. "You let Alice get in your head. I can't believe the two of you are teaming up behind my back to control my life. And all you've done is proven that Corsica and I are more alike than we thought. She ran away when she was young, and so did I."
"You turned your back on your family," Xavier said. "You refused to acknowledge me. Even when I joined A.A. Even when I got sober and wanted to make amends. I thought maybe it was her influence over you."
Penn caught my hand. "Influence. Corsica was a better influence on me just a few days after we met then you've ever been my entire life."
Alice slid the patio door open. "You all look so serious in here. What is going on?"
Xavier opened his mouth to explain, but Penn surprised us all. He dropped down to one knee and kissed the back of my hand. "Corsica Allen. I know these last few days have been a mess and you deserve more romance than this, but I want to prove to you and to my family that it's not your past I care about. I only want your future. Will you marry me?"
I wanted to scream. How could he put me through such a scene? What would this possibly prove to his family? And, what would they do when they found out the truth?
Then, I wanted to cry. Penn had said the one thing I had always wanted to hear. He didn't care about my past, he just wanted my future. With Joshua, it had always been a case of correcting me, retraining me, and making sure I kept my more-than-humble beginnings quiet. Penn didn't care about that.
What he cared about was his mother. Alice had brought both hands to her face to hide a huge, delighted smile. It was clear in the bright glow of her eyes that she had always dreamed of seeing her son happily in love. Now, when Penn was scared he might lose her, it was suddenly very important for him to give her what she wanted most.
And our fake engagement would give his mother a reason to fight her cancer with everything she could get.
"Yes. Yes, of course I'll marry you," I whispered.
It was only because I understood. How many days had I scoured the fields around our home to find the daisies my mother wished she could see again? I had driven four hours away and back just to bring her a piece of pie she craved. I would have done anything to make her happy when she was sick, and I couldn't blame Penn for doing the same thing.
"Penn, what are you doing?" Alice shrieked and we both froze. We thought our dreamy little scene was too transparent until Alice rushed over to us. "You don't even have a ring to give her. Here, darling, use this."
She pulled a long chain that lay hidden under her myriad other necklaces and beads. On it was a slim band of vibrant diamonds surrounding an emerald cut sapphire the color of the midnight sky.
Penn held it in two fingers. "I can't take this, Mother. I know you use all your jewelry for healing."
Xavier snorted. "That one doesn't have many healing qualities. It belonged to your grandmother. My mother."
Alice tossed her dark hair. "I'll have you know this ring has helped me on more than one occasion. Sapphires are known to help restore the wearer's faith, give them spiritual insight, and heal them through hope."
"Then you need it more than me," I squeaked.
"No." Alice smiled. "This is all I need. New love, new beginnings–you two are like the fountain of youth for me."
Penn took the ring and slipped it onto my finger. It fit perfectly, and I couldn't look away from its blue depths. I felt a twinge in my heart and worried that Alice was right. I had buried all my faith and hope long ago, under thick layers of practicality. Ambition had kept me insulated and safe for so long, that faith felt unfamiliar. And frightening.
What was I doing?
"Excuse me." I ran down the hallway with only enough presence of mind to choose Penn's master suite over the guest room where I had been sleeping. I rushed inside, darted around the massive bed, and dove into the bathroom.
There, I took a few choking breaths before swinging around and locking the door behind me. What was I thinking? It wasn't hope I was feeling, just waves of insanity. There was no other explanation for me accepting Penn's proposal than I was losing my mind.
And the worst part was it had felt so right.
"Corsica? Are you all right? Corsica, let me in. Please." Penn tapped on the bathroom door and rattled the door handle.
"Just give me a minute," I yelped.
It was just a ploy, a helpful fantasy that would inspire his mother to pursue the aggressive cancer treatments. I was a complete idiot to have felt anything else, even for a second, and I needed to get myself under control.
I swiped the ridiculous tears off my cheeks and fanned away the redness. Then, I smoothed down my hair and opened the door. "Sorry, I was just so shocked, I didn't think I could pull it off for much longer."
Penn pushed his way into the bathroom and took my hands. "I shocked myself, too. But, now that I think about it, this is the perfect plan. My mother will be happily distracted with wedding planning while she starts her treatments. And my father will have to get off my back."
"I aim to please," I muttered.