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Three days after giving Jessa the letter, Jason hadn’t heard from or seen his sister. He knew she still existed because his mother made sure she told him so at least once a day. Jason prayed for her often as the days went by. It was easy to pray during work. As he pounded nails into a roof, he prayed. While stuffing chinking into walls, he prayed. He didn’t always pray about Jessa, though. He also prayed for his future and especially for the courage to talk to Mr. Hopkins.
The next Tuesday, Jason made his way to Mr. Hopkins’s store and prayed Claire wouldn’t be there. Half the time she was, half the time she wasn’t. If she was, he would talk to her. If she wasn’t, he would talk to her father.
He entered the store and looked around.
“If you are looking for Claire, she isn’t here.”
Jason started at the sound of Mr. Hopkins’s voice and Mr. Hopkins chuckled.
“I’m sorry if I startled you. I’m behind the counter, but hiding.”
“Hiding from whom?”
“Claire’s beau.”
“Why?”
Mr. Hopkins stood up. “I’m afraid of what he’s come to my store about.”
Jason raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t know I induced that much fear in people.”
Mr. Hopkins came around the counter. “Not most people, but some.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, for me, it means I lose my oldest daughter. Although, I know she’ll be very happy. Happier than she’d be if I refused to let her marry you.”
Jason swallowed hard. “Does this mean I don’t have to even ask the question I wanted to?”
Mr. Hopkins’s cheeks hollowed as if he were biting his tongue. “Not at all. You still have to talk to me as if I didn’t already know what you meant to say.”
Jason snapped his fingers. “Oh well. I had to try.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Mr. Hopkins, I love your daughter, Claire, and she is everything I ever wanted in a wife and more. May I ask her to marry me?”
Mr. Hopkins leaned against the counter. “Claire told me about your conversation regarding your work. I can’t say I would prefer what you are doing, but I commend you both for agreeing to it and taking that leap of faith. However, if I ever find any reason to believe you are not providing for her needs—not wants, mind you, but the needs—I will not hesitate to step in and give you a stern talking-to.”
Jason nodded soberly. “Thank you. I appreciate that. All of it.”
Mr. Hopkins smiled. “You have my permission and blessing to marry Claire.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome and God bless you both.”
Jason left the store, but he wasn’t sure his feet ever really touched the ground. Now all he had to do was figure out how to propose to her.
***
Wednesday night, Jason had a hard time concentrating on anything Claire or anyone else said. After supper, the two of them retired to the parlor as usual and Jason sat next to her—something he didn’t usually do. They talked for a while, but Jason couldn’t stand it anymore.
He licked his lips and cleared his throat after a short pause in the conversation. “Would you care to take a walk?”
Claire nodded her head. “I do, actually. It’s raining outside.”
Jason looked at the window. “It is?”
“Yes, silly. It was when you came here, too.”
“Oh.” He swallowed hard. “I guess we can’t, then.”
“I guess not.”
Jason bounced his right knee. “We’ve been courting for four months now. It might be a little fast, but I think we’re in a good place in our relationship.” He cleared his throat again. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love you, Claire.” He slid onto one knee in front of her. “Will you marry me?”
Claire covered her mouth with her hands. “Yes.” She let go of her mouth and grinned. “Yes, I will marry you, Jason.”
Jason stood up and Claire threw her arms around his neck. “I love you, too, Jason.”
Jason grinned. “I suppose we should tell your parents.”
Claire let go of his neck and turned around. “Yes, let’s!” She headed for the door. “Can we go to Grandma Beulah’s tomorrow and tell her?”
Jason chuckled. “That is a good idea. How did the canning go, by the way?”
“Wonderfully. Grandma Beulah loved it!”
“Good. Now, let’s go tell your parents.”