Full Circle

Chapter 13

Paula waited until she felt the mood was right to ask Gabby about the ring. Coming from her, the nosy question would seem normal because that's the way they had always been with each other. They didn't share blood but to Paula, Gabby was the best sister she could have asked for.

She returned to the homestead the first weekend of December to help Gabby decorate for Christmas. Garth had opted to stay at school and Clint was somewhere on the ranch. They had the house to themselves. Paula contemplated how to ask the question as she hung garland and lights, finally deciding to be her usual blunt self.

"So, Gabby, I've got a question."

"What's that?" Gabby mumbled, arranging a garland of fake poinsettias around the mantle.

"I was thinking about you and Clint and I wondered. . . .If he were to propose again would you want a new ring or the same one he gave you years ago?"

Gabby glanced over at Paula, her eyebrows raised. "That's some heavy-duty thinking. We need to get you a love life of your own."

Paula laughed. "Come on. You know me. This is what I do."

Gabby shook her head, unable to resist a grin. "Very true. And I don't know. I never really thought about it."

"Really? It hasn't crossed your mind at all? You two seem pretty tight, like that's where you're headed."

Gabby stopped fiddling with the garland and turned to face Paula. "The thought of marrying again has crossed my mind. Just not the ring."

Paula climbed down from her ladder and crossed to perch on the hearth. "And what are you thinking? Are you ready to marry him or do you still need time?"

Gabby shrugged. "Sometimes both. I know he's it, that I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I want our family to be official. I just don't want to be rushing it or rushing him."

Paula grabbed Gabby's hand, pulling her down to the hearth too. "If it's what you're ready for, then you're not rushing it. You're the one calling the shots Gabby, no one else. Besides, I'm pretty sure most of us are expecting it sooner or later."

"You don't think it's too soon?"

Paula laughed. "Gabby, you can't compare your life experiences or Austin's death to someone else. Just do what's right for you. Stop worrying about what I or anyone else thinks."

Gabby gave Paula a sheepish grin. "Well, then, yeah. I'd love to make it official, sooner rather than later." She studied her hands for a moment, contemplating the original question. "And I guess I'd want the same ring. The reason and love behind it hasn't changed, it represents exactly what it was meant to."

Paula nodded. "Well, that's a little tricky now. Are you going to give it back to Clint and tell him to propose?"

Gabby's brow wrinkled. "Good question. I'll have to think about that."

Paula grinned and moved back to her ladder. Mission accomplished and Gabby didn't have a clue.

* * * * * * * * * *

Clint thought long and hard about his proposal. He decided on when, he just couldn't figure out how or where. Paula asked him about it when she came home again from finals. She volunteered to help Clint clean up the kitchen while Gabby tended to Jackson.

"So, what's the plan?" she asked, once Gabby was out of earshot.

"For the proposal?"

Paula nodded.

Clint grunted. "I don't have one."

"What?!" Paula cried. "You've been thinking about this since Thanksgiving!"