Rescued by the Billionaire (Billionaire Romance Novel) (20 page)

“How about if I treat us to dinner?” Dave offered.
 

“Yes!” Emma exclaimed as she put down her tablet. “Can we go to Ponderosa?”
 

“Ponderosa? Don’t you want to go someplace nicer?” Dave asked her.
 

“It’s her favorite,” Kelly interjected.
 

“Oh, well if it’s her favorite, then by all means, that’s where we have to go. After all, we are celebrating the enormous success of her fundraiser.”
 

Over the next few weeks, Kelly’s emotions were on a full-speed roller coaster as she tormented herself about whether or not she did the right thing. On one hand, she thought, I’m a great mother. I did what any mom would do in my shoes: take care of my child, but, on the other hand, I also let our only source of income go right out the window. She scoured over the newspaper ads searching for a job in which she was qualified for. It seemed as though the only jobs she could do were ones that offered horrible hours, such as straight graveyard shifts or rotating swing shifts. There was no way that she could work either of those. She needed a straight day job.
 

Sensing that she was down and at the end of her rope, Dave decided to take her out. He planned a romantic evening with just the two of them, making it her little get away from reality. With the help of some friends, he was able to reserve a private table at an upscale restaurant on The Landing in downtown St. Louis.
 

“I’m taking you out tomorrow night,” he said as he rubbed her shoulders.
 

“We can’t leave Emma,” she said.
 

“I’ve already called Dawn and she said she’ll sit with her. You’ve been so stressed out lately that I thought you could use a night out. These neck and back muscles are so tense.”
 

“I know,” she said as she rolled her head, trying to loosen her neck up. “Where are we going?”
 

“It’s a surprise so I’m not at liberty to say, but you will need to wear something dressy.”
 

“Oh, Dave, you know that I don’t have anything really nice, plus I’ve gained almost 15 pounds since I lost my job. All I do is sit around and eat. I’m nearly as big as the house. Pretty soon, you’ll be singing that Fatty, Fatty song.”
 

He laughed, “The what song?”
 

“You’ve heard it, right?”
 

“No? Sing it for me.”
 

“Fatty, fatty two-by-four, can’t fit through the kitchen door!”
 

Laughing hysterically, he replied, “No, I’ve never heard that song. Where in the hell did you get that from?”
 

“My dad used to sing it to me when I was a kid. I told you he was an ass.”
 

“That’s terrible. I’m sorry that I laughed.”
 

“No, it’s okay. It actually kind of is a funny song, as long as you’re not a teenage girl.”
 

“And you look beautiful. You can’t even tell that you’ve gained weight. Just wear a nice skirt and a blouse.”
 

“I don’t know Dave. I really don’t feel like going out,” she sighed.
 

“Please? What if I bought you a lovely pair of earrings to go out with? Would you let me take you to dinner then?” he teased.
 

“Maybe. No, seriously, I’ll see what I can dig up out of my closet that might fit. What time are we going?”
 

“I made our reservations for 6:30 PM. We should probably drop Emma Buggy off at Dawn’s house about an hour before so we have plenty of time to get down there in rush hour traffic and get parked and everything.”
 

“Okay, but I’m just telling you right now. I haven’t been feeling too hot so if I poop out on you, it’s just because I’ve worn myself out lately.”
 

“We’re going to have a great time. You just make sure you get plenty of rest and I’ll come pick you up.”
 

The next day, Kelly was so tired. She tried napping in the afternoon, but she couldn’t fall asleep with the sun beaming down in her windows. Restless, she rifled through her closet, attempting to find an outfit that would fit her. She finally settled on a dress that she’d bought when she first got pregnant with Emma. It was a classic black dress with a V-neck that twisted around the V-line and tied in a neat knot. She liked it because it was the perfect length; not too long and not too short. It also showed off her figure, flattering her stomach, giving it a flat appearance.
 

Dave pulled up in front of her house right on time to pick them up. As they drove to Dawn’s
house, he commented on how beautiful she looked.
 

“Thanks,” Kelly said, “but I don’t feel like it.”
 

“You’re gorgeous! But then again, you could wear a pair of sweats and have a messy ponytail and I’d still think you’re hot.”
 

“Why are we going out to dinner again?”
 

“To get you out of the house, to cheer you up, and to spend time together.”
 

“Am I that miserable?” she asked as they took Emma inside to drop her off.
 

“No, but I like to see my doll happy. That’s all.”
 

On their way back out to the car, Dawn yelled out to them, “Be careful and don’t worry if you stay out late. I’ll keep her until tomorrow.”
 

They waved goodbye as they drove off, heading towards downtown St. Louis.
 

“It sure is nice out, isn’t it?” Dave asked as he admired the breathtaking sunset.
 

“It is. The weather’s been splendid lately. Actually, it’s been kind of warm out for February.” Kelly added.
 

“Speaking of, what do you want to do for Valentine’s Day?”
 

“Oh, God, I haven’t celebrated Valentine’s Day in forever! How about if we just stay home and watch movies or something?” she suggested.
 

“Like what kind of movies? That sounds kind of boring.”
 

“The Notebook is my favorite movie. Nicholas Sparks is the best author of all time, hands down. And just so you know, the Notebook is not boring. It’s awesome!”
 

“Uh-huh, I see. Well, I’ll think about it and get back to you. I may have something else planned for the two of us,” he winked at her.
 

The valet took the keys and parked his car in a private parking garage as they stepped out in front of the restaurant. He wrapped his arm around the crook of her arm and walked inside.
 

“Name please?” the petite blonde asked when they stopped at the podium.
 

“David Carr,” he replied.
 

She scanned the reservation list for a moment. “Oh, yes, come with me,” she said, realizing who he was. “We have a private table for you hidden in the rear corner of the restaurant.”
 

He must be planning our Valentine dinner early, she thought, as they walked through the restaurant. Upon arriving at the table, he pulled out her chair as a real gentleman would.
 

“After you,” he said, bowing to her.
 

“Thank you,” she responded as she took her seat. “Is this an early Valentine’s dinner?”
 

“No, I just thought we’d do something special tonight. I’ve never brought you here before so I
thought I would show you what authentic Italian food tastes like. They fly in all of their wine and most of the menu straight from Italy.”
 

“Nice!”
 

While the two of them enjoyed a quiet dinner and shared stories about their awkward teenage years, they laughed the night away. At the end of dinner, he asked the waitress for the check and handed her his credit card when she returned with the bill. When dinner was over, Kelly was sad the night was coming to an end.
 

“What’s wrong?” he asked as her smile faded.
 

“Oh, it’s just that we had a great time and I’m sad to see it end.”
 

“That’s funny you say that. I actually have another surprise for you. Follow me,” he said.
 

Curiously, she followed him outside, but the valet didn’t bring the car around. Instead, they began walking down the cobblestone street toward the riverfront. Kelly strolled along beside him as they neared the Mississippi River. At the end of the road where it branched off, she saw a horse carriage.
 

“Those are so beautiful. I’d love to ride one sometimes,” she told him.
 

“How come? What’s so neat about them?”
 

“They’re just so romantic. I love the white horses that carry the black buggy. It’s like something you’d see in a movie.”
 

“Hm, well, would you do me the honor?” He asked, holding out his hand as he stepped into the carriage.
 

“What? Is this for
us
?”
 

“Yes, it is. I told you that I had one more surprise for you, and this was it. Come on, get in.” He said, extending his hands to help her into the cart.
 

Trotting along the riverfront, they admired the river and the lighting of downtown St. Louis. The carriage stopped in front of the Arch. Dave got down on bended knee inside the carriage and took a deep breath.
 

“Kelly,” he began, “I love you and Emma so much. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
 

“Dave!” she cried. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
 

He had slipped a brilliant, shiny diamond ring onto her finger before they began kissing. “Oh, Dave,” she said, marveling at her ring. “It’s beautiful!”
 

Tears ran down her cheek as he took his seat next to her when the carriage started moving again.
 

“What’s wrong?” he asked, cupping her chin in his hand.
 

“It’s just. It’s so beautiful. The whole night… the dinner, the carriage ride, the ring. Everything! You’re such an amazing man.”
 

“You’re an amazing woman. I always pictured myself with a caring woman who always put her family first. That woman is you. You’ve shown me what love is, and I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it.”
 

“Wait until I tell Dawn! She’s going to flip!” Kelly squealed.
 

“She knows,” Dave smiled at her. “When I asked her to watch Emma, she asked me why so I told her. She’s so happy for you. I’m sure she can’t wait to hear all the details.”
 

“She knows? And she didn’t tell me? That rat!” she laughed.
 

“Yep. I figured since your parents are gone, I’d ask your best friend for permission to marry you. She definitely approved.”
 

“Did you show her my ring?”
 

“No, I only told her my plans over the phone. I bet she’s dying to see it.”
 

“I bet! It’s absolutely gorgeous!” she exclaimed, holding her hand out under the moonlight as the diamond shined under the St. Louis skylight.
 

The next morning when she picked up Emma, she showed off her ring to her best friend. “Look! This is my engagement ring, Dawn! My engagement ring! I’m going to get married!” she sang as she held out her hand.
 

“That’s some rock!” Dawn said, holding Kelly’s hand to get a better look at the gem.
 

“When are you going to get married?”
 

“I don’t know yet. I’ll have to start planning the wedding. I’d say sometime next year. That should be plenty of time, right? A year to plan a wedding?”
 

“I’d say so. I planned mine and Derek’s wedding over the course of six months. It was kind of crazy and hectic, but you know me. I’m never boring,” the girls laughed.
 

“Well, this weekend is Valentine’s weekend. I was thinking of making a special dinner at home with Dave. Could you keep Emma for me or do you and Derek have plans?”
 

“No plans that I know of. I’m sure we can watch her. I’ll come pick her up so you have time to get everything ready.”
 

Later that week, Emma had her second injection of her new drug. She hadn’t had many improvements after the initial loading dose, but she didn’t let that stop her. Kelly drove to school on a daily basis to pick up her class work so she didn’t fall behind and the two of them did her lessons together. By the end of the week, Emma was actually moving around a bit more; comfortably.
 

“Emma Buggy, I think you might be able to go to school next week,” Kelly told her.
 

“I think so too. I probably could’ve gone to school this week, but I didn’t want to push myself too hard. I’m ready to go back!”