Read 1632: Essen Steel for Free Online Page B

"Okay, Colette, fess up. What happened? You're positively glowing. Did Josh give you a present or something?"
    Colette laughed. "I would say it was the 'or something.'" She got a far away look in her eyes. "Oh, yes. Several 'or somethings.'"
    Amy's eyebrows started climbing up her forehead. "You jumped his bones, didn't you? All right, girl! It's been a long time for you, hasn't it?"
    Colette nodded. "Yes, we made love. And it was the first time since Etienne."
    Colette flopped on the bed. "And it was very, very good."
    Amy laughed. "So how many times did you … what was it Shakespeare called it … the little death?"
    Colette smiled dreamily. "I don't remember. At least, if I am with child it will be a boy."
    Amy cocked her head. "What?"
    Colette waved her hand. "It is often said that for a child to be a boy, the woman must have an orgasm during the lovemaking."
    "Well … " Amy laughed. "Did he propose this morning?"
    Colette grinned. "That would be difficult since I left before he woke up."
    Amy looked at her through her eyelashes. "Damn, girl. Men are most vulnerable when they're just waking up after sex. Now you have to start over from scratch. He did tell you he loved you, though. Right?"
    Colette smiled. "We didn't exchange a lot of words last night. We made love and then fell asleep."
    Amy looked at her critically. "I'm surprised you're able to walk. So what now?"
    "Now, I think … " Colette grinned a bit. "It really is Josh's move."
    They didn't have long to wait. The phone rang. Amy answered it. She handed the phone to Colette and mouthed It's him .
    "Hello?"
    "Colette, can you come home?" Josh asked. "We need to talk." His voice seemed cool.
    "Certainly, Josh. I'll be right there."
    "And Colette?"
    "Yes?"
    His voice turned soft. "I love you."
    Her heart sang. "I love you, too, Josh."
    "Oh," added Josh, "and bring little Miss Matchmaker with you. I'm sure she'll want to see the fruits of her labor."
    * * *
    Both Colette and Amy saw that the curtains were closed when they reached the house. They walked into the living room. Several lit candles were spaced around, giving the room a soft glow.
    "Josh?" Colette's voice sounded nervous.
    "Be right there. Have a seat on the couch, please."
    Amy and Colette sat down. When Josh walked in he was holding something behind his back.
    Josh switched to French. It is the better language for this. "Colette Dubois, I have loved you from the first day I saw you in the parish hall. I tried to tell myself that it couldn't happen, that love at first sight is impossible, an illusion. But it isn't. I want to share my life with you, and be a part of yours."
    Josh brought his hand out from behind his back and got down on one knee. In his hand was a wide-mouthed brandy snifter with a flower floating in water. On the flower was a diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"
    By then both Amy and Colette were crying. In the back of his mind he could hear his grandfather's voice. "Good job, boy. Good job."
    Through her tears Colette smiled. "Yes, Josh, I will marry you."
    * * *
    Five minutes later they had their first fight.
    "Lawyers!" Josh stomped around the room. "We don't need any stinking lawyers!"
    "It's customary," Colette said stiffly. "I made a mistake with Etienne, I was young and immature. But we each must hire an attorney to negotiate our marriage contracts." Colette's voice softened. "Please Josh, this is important to me."
    Josh sighed. "Tell you what, we can play a game of chess. Whoever wins gets their way."
    Colette laughed. "I have a better idea." Her eyes turned smoky. "A wrestling match. Whoever dies the little death the most, wins."
    Colette turned to Amy. "Would you mind waiting on the porch for Colas? Josh and I need some privacy to discuss this." She grabbed Josh's hand and began leading him into the bedroom.
    Colette won. Josh found he didn't mind losing at all.
    What he did mind, however, was that Colette insisted on real negotiations for their agreement. And that, while