Twenty-two

The vocals of Fred Astaire singing “The Way You Look Tonight” swept into the room from the radio. Quivers ran through Josie as she sat at her vanity. She wanted Art to feel about her the way Lucky Garnett had felt about Penny. . .until he noticed her hair filled with suds.

Her reflection bounced off the mirror. She couldn’t find fault with it, but a seriousness filled the edges of her face that hadn’t touched her when she’d married Art a year earlier.

One year.

So much had changed. She’d experienced a sadness she’d never known. At times, her breath still caught at the thought of what should have been. But God was God, and she had to trust Him. Trust that He had her best at heart. This year, she’d made the decision to live that trust.

But joy had also filled the year. The joy of knowing the love of a good man. She still didn’t know how to describe it other than to thank God for him from a grateful heart.

Art was a gift. She certainly didn’t understand him yet. But he balanced her in ways she hadn’t expected.

She pinched her cheeks, trying to encourage color to bloom on them. He’d be home in a few minutes, and then they would celebrate their anniversary. Cassandra had already gone down to Scott and Doris’s apartment, where she would spend the night.

Art had told Josie to dress up, though he wouldn’t tell her where he’d made reservations. The long rose gown in taffeta with its bolero jacket looked like something Ginger Rogers would wear in a formal dance scene. Was that what he had in mind?

The door squeaked. She jumped. That must be Art.

“Honey, I’m home.”

Time was up. She pulled the dress over her slip and zipped it as he walked into the room. The sight of her working at the zipper brought a smile to Art’s face, the kind of smile that warmed her from the inside out.

“Need any help with that?” The twinkle in his eye conveyed his meaning.

“Oh no. I very much want to see this place where you’ve got reservations.”

“We’ll have the best seat in the house.”

Something about the way he said it made her a bit nervous. “Am I overdressed?”

Art eyed her up and down. He motioned for her to turn in a circle. She complied, then dipped for a curtsy. “I’d say you’re perfect.”

His approval brought warmth flooding into her cheeks. How she loved this man.

❧

Josie looked so appealing with the color flooding her face. He loved the way he could make her blush with a look or a whispered comment.

Would she be pleased when she saw what he had planned? He hoped so. The key was to make the evening memorable in every way. A night she would never forget.

His plan should accomplish that. Her thoughts? Well, he’d have to wait and see.

He looked at his watch. “Ready to go?”

Josie plopped at her little table and frowned at him from the mirror. “Do I look ready?”

How to answer that? She always looked good to him. Even when she lay in bed, rumpled from a hard night’s sleep, hair plastered to her face, and sleep softening her expression. But how to explain that she was beautiful because she had chosen him?

Laughter filled her eyes. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be ready.” She picked up her brush and made a motion like she would swat him if he didn’t leave. He could take a hint.

The sight of her in her gown should have woken him up. Instead, he felt half-asleep and lethargic. Some cold water might do the trick. He turned on the tap in the bathroom and let it run a minute. He scooped water up with both hands and threw it on his face. The blast woke him up but splattered all over his shirt. Not the brightest thing he’d ever done.

He had an excuse, though. It was Friday, and the week had worn him out. The day had taken so many twists and turns at work, he didn’t know which way to turn next. E. K. Fine still had clear thoughts on where he wanted the company to go. How it should prepare for the war. He couldn’t seem to let go of the company he’d sold. In a few weeks, he’d be gone, but he made life difficult for everyone as he loudly proclaimed his beliefs—beliefs directly opposed to Grandfather’s. Art stood in the middle, pulled by both sides of the debate.

A buzzing filled his ears at the thought of the intense argument he’d overheard.

He shook his head. Tonight was not a night to dwell on what happened at work. He could do nothing about that, but he could focus on his bride. She deserved his complete attention.

As she walked out of their room to meet him, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Dressed like that, she deserved his full focus. She’d done something with her hair that made it sweep off her graceful neck. He didn’t know what to call it, but he liked it. All she needed was a rose at her ear to be picture perfect. He wanted to smack himself on the forehead. He should have thought of that. What woman didn’t like flowers for her anniversary? He certainly couldn’t find them in the crisp weather outside. Maybe she wouldn’t notice his oversight.

“Shall we?” He offered his arm. He pulled her closer and inhaled the sweet scent of her violet perfume. He could come home to this for the rest of his life. He was blessed among men.

Squeals erupted from the Duncans’ apartment as they hopped down the stairs. He loved seeing Cassandra happy, with a smile that lit up her eyes.

“She’s happy, isn’t she?” Contentment laced Josie’s voice.

Art tucked her arm more firmly through his. “She is, thanks to you.”

“I’m just grateful God gave me insight.” She sighed. “I wish I’d asked sooner.”

Wasn’t that the case with so much of life? Art would struggle and wrestle with a problem for days, weeks, or even months on his own. Then he’d hit a point where he knew he couldn’t fix or solve it on his own. Finally, he’d acknowledge he needed God’s help. What a mixed-up way to approach life.

Art helped Josie into the Packard and then raced around to the driver’s side. Quiet conversation floated between them, but Josie never asked where he was taking her. She seemed content to let him surprise her.

This had to be perfect.

He so wanted to honor her tonight. Let her know that he knew what this year had been for her. Show her in a way that he couldn’t convey with words.

❧

Art zipped along streets that Josie was pretty sure she hadn’t traveled before. He seemed determined to take her on a grand adventure. In all likelihood, it would rival the journey of their first year.

She settled back against the seat, content to let him have his fun. He fiddled with the radio until he found a song. She scooted closer to him as Tommy Dorsey’s band serenaded them with “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

“ ‘I’ll be looking at the moon, but all I’ll see is you,’ ” Art crooned, making sappy eyes at her.

“Hey, you, get your attention back on the road.”

He laughed and pulled to a stop. The engine idled as he leaned over to kiss her. She sank into it, feeling the sparks ignite a warmth that spiraled all the way down to her toes.

With a groan he pulled back, brushing a hand along her jaw with feather strokes. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

The words resonated to the core of her being. “I love you more.”

“Not possible.”

“I think this is a competition we can afford.”

His soft chuckle tickled her ear. “Agreed.” He leaned away and grabbed the steering wheel. She felt a sudden chill. “Back to the planned activities.”

“Spontaneous is good.” Did she really purr the words?

Art slipped back into traffic, and after a few more turns, he parked the car. “Here we are.”

“Here?” Josie squinted but couldn’t see anything she recognized. “Sorry, I have no idea where here is.”

He hopped out of the car and then helped her out. “This is the Abbot Observatory.”

An observatory?

“Josie, I want to share the stars with you. Here they have telescopes that allow us to see far into space.” He led her through some trees to a brick building that looked Greek in its portico style but had a large dome that rose behind the facade.

She bobbled as he helped her up the stone stairs. Once they were inside, she was glad she’d brought her coat. “Why isn’t the dome enclosed?”

“The air inside and out needs to be the same temperature, or it distorts the images.”

Not only was he handsome, Art remained one of the smartest men she knew.

“What?”

“Amazed by your mental prowess.”

He tugged her toward the telescope like a kid leading a parent to the candy counter. “Look through here.” He pointed at a piece that stuck out from the telescope.

“All right.” She ducked a bit and placed an eye on the piece. What had been pinpricks of light in the night sky evolved into brilliant, pulsing lights.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

She nodded, then decided he might not see her in the deepening twilight. “Breathtaking.”

“Yes, you are.”

Heat flushed her cheeks again, but this time she gratefully accepted the cover of darkness. They explored the night sky until she was too chilled to stay out any longer. Art placed his coat around her shoulders as they walked back to the car.

He turned her toward him. “Josie, I don’t say this enough. I know this year has been hard. There are things we would change, but I need you to know that you are the only person I would want to share the experiences with. I’m praying the good always overtakes the bad. But even if it doesn’t, I am so glad you chose me.”

Twin tears perched on her cheeks, glistening in the moonlight. He dabbed at her tears.

“I love you, Art Wilson.”

He linked her arm through his and continued the walk to the car. The Packard came into view, and their pace quickened. He settled her into the car, even helping collect her skirt. He searched her face, and she waited.

Finally, he smiled and leaned in.

With a kiss that left her weak in the knees.

To think she had a lifetime to enjoy those.

That had to make her most blessed of women. And by the look in Art’s eye, he agreed.