Big Yellow Taxi
Chapter 38
Rowan was nervous about her dinner plans. But at least she didn't have to stress about finding something appropriate to wear. She had several dresses in her closet that she kept at her father's house. Dresses she would never have use for at home with her mother because they were too fancy. She wore them if she was accompanying her father to an important event or ceremony. Tonight she was going with Derek. But even though he was driving separately, her father was still going to be there as well, which eased her mind a little.
Rowan pulled on her favorite dress. It was long and white with a geometric turquoise pattern down the front. It looked pretty with the necklace she received as a present earlier in the day. Rowan ran her fingers over the inlaid stones, still worried about what the implications of accepting such an extravagant gift were. She never received anything like it from a man before. And it was so beautiful she was eager to take it. It wasn't until the expensive gift was around her neck, and Rowan saw the way Derek was looking at her after he fastened the clasp that she started to question her decision.
"You look perfect," Derek told her, eyeing her approvingly. Rowan let out a breath that she didn't realize she was holding and climbed into his car. He closed the door he was holding open for her and hurried around to climb behind the wheel. He started the car. But before he backed out of the driveway he reached over and grasped Rowan's hand, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her palm. He smiled over at her before he released her hand and returned his to the steering wheel.
Despite her father's many efforts to get her involved, Rowan never took an active interest in the politics or running of the reservation. She would accompany her father to events or meetings. And make polite conversation with his friends and colleagues. But she was really only there for the snack food and to make her father happy. She was grateful to Derek when he used the short drive over to explain the reason for the dinner they were attending. Funded mostly by donations from the casino, the reservation was opening its own foster care agency. Its main purpose was to stop outside agencies from removing children unjustly from the reservation and from their parents. Having their own agency would help to stop outsiders from coming in. The dinner was to celebrate the opening of the agency and to thank the benefactors. Rowan was shocked when Derek explained all this to her. She actually had no idea that such terrible injustices were still being committed against the people here. The idea of it made her sad. She found herself looking forward to the dinner. And to meeting the people that made such an event possible.
Rowan had a wine glass full of lemon water in her hand. And Derek's arm around her waist. Her father was on her other side. It didn't take long before she was overwhelmed by the amount of people that stopped by to speak to one or both of the two men. Rowan noticed almost all of them were giving her and Derek obvious looks of approval. It felt strange to her. Usually her father's colleagues sighed and rolled their eyes at her. She enjoyed spending time with her father on the reservation. And learning about her heritage. But she never really felt like she fit in. The reservation was never home to her. Feeling suddenly accepted by these people felt strange. Strange but good.
The dinner itself passed Rowan by in a blur. She listened to the first few speakers with rapt attention. But soon she found her mind wandering. She missed her mother and needed to call her soon. Her mother didn't have a phone. But there was a community phone at the main house. Rowan could email her mom and let her know the time she intended to call. Then she would be able to talk to her. She left with barely a goodbye. And she wasn't sure when she would be back. Rowan also felt uncertain about Derek and his interest in her. But her mother would know what to do. She gave the best advice. Rowan wasn't always inclined to listen to it. But that didn't mean the advice wasn't sound.
After the celebration was over, Rowan expected Derek to drive them back to her father's house. But she also wasn't really paying attention to where he was going. She looked out the car window in surprise when she realized they were back at his unfinished mini mansion. He opened the car door for her, offering her his hand to help her out. Rowan took it.
"What are we doing here?," she asked. He smiled and told her it was a surprise. Rowan expected him to lead her inside the house. But instead he led her around it and out behind the structure to the backyard. There was a large canvas tent set out. A small fire was burning low in a metal container. A small bench was set up in front of it. That's where Derek led her.
"I thought we could watch the sunset," he suggested. Rowan sat down. The night was getting cool and she was grateful for the small fire. And for Derek's jacket, which he shrugged off and wrapped around her shoulders without her having to ask. Derek put his arm around her shoulders and held her close. The sky was lit with orange and streaks of pink across the darkening blue sky. As Rowan watched the sky slowly darken, Derek spoke quietly to her about his plans for the space around them.
"There's a big tree over there that would be great for a tire swing," he said, reaching over and rubbing his hand over her stomach. Rowan let her eyes roam. She could picture a child growing up happy here. But she wasn't sure she could see herself here. And when she imagined her daughter swinging on a tire swing from the tree Derek indicated, Rowan pictured a little girl with Daryl's blue eyes.
"People might know," Rowan said, her voice small and quiet. "They might be able to tell that the baby isn't yours."
"I don't care," Derek assured her. "I'll love the baby no matter what it looks like because it came from you." His hand reached across Rowan's stomach, gripping her hip and pulling her against him. He kissed her. His kiss was soft and gentle at first but quickly deepened. Rowan wasn't sure about her feelings for him. But he seemed so confident in his for her that it was easy to let him override her hesitance. When he finally broke their kiss, he sank down onto his knees in front of her.
"Marry me?," he asked. From his pants pocket he produced a small black velvet box. Inside there was a ring. The ring didn't have one large stone but instead there were many tiny ones that formed the shape of a feather. Derek pulled it from the box and slipped it on her finger without waiting for an answer. He rose to his feet, pulling Rowan up and into his arms. He kissed her again. Then he whispered into her ear.
"I'll spend the rest of my life making you happy," he promised, "...all you have to do is say yes." Rowan felt her heart pounding her chest. She was scared and overwhelmed. She knew her father mentioned something about them getting married quickly because of her pregnancy. But she didn't realize he was serious. Or that Derek had any idea of her father's suggestion. She felt like the world was spinning around her. Derek's presence was overwhelming. His interest in her was flattering. And there was no denying that he was beyond handsome. She was physically attracted to him. But Rowan still wasn't sure. Everything was happening so fast. She felt like she didn't have time to even sort out her feelings about what happened with Daryl. And now she was being expected to make a decision about the rest of her life.
When she still didn't answer, Derek leaned back and caught her under the chin, tilting her head back so he could make eye contact with her.
"Say yes," he instructed. Rowan sucked in another ragged breath. "Don't over think," he added. "Just say yes."
"Okay," she finally whispered. "Yes."
Derek's face lit up in a huge smile. He swept her up off her feet and twirled her around in a circle. She laughed. His enthusiasm was catching. And how happy he was made her feel a little more confident about her decision. Not much. But a little. Once he set Rowan back down onto her feet, Derek took her by the hand and led her over to the large canvas tent she noticed earlier. He pulled back the flap to reveal what he had set up inside. A large bed was in the middle of the small space, taking up most of the room. It was covered in flower petals. And the small space was lit with small fragrant candles. Rowan was stunned by the scene. It was like something straight out of a cheesy romance novel. She had no idea that people actually did things like this in real life.
"I knew you would say yes," Derek told her as he lifted her up into his arms. Before she could make even a noise of protest, he headed for the bed, letting the canvas flap of the tent fall closed behind them.
