“So,” Yvonne said, leaning over the bakery counter, “now that I know why there’s a bunch of hearts hanging in your shop window, I want to hear every single detail.”
“Well,” said Kelly, feeling a bit breathless, “we were at the airport in Charlotte—”
“Wait a minute,” Yvonne cut in, straightening up. “We’ve got the most beautiful waterfall in the state right out back and he takes you to the airport?”
Kelly tried to scowl, but her sheer joy just wouldn’t let her pull it off. She planted her hands playfully on her hips instead. “Are you going to let me tell the story or what?”
In reply, Yvonne leaned both elbows on the bakery counter and planted her chin in her hands, a dramatic “I’m all ears” pose if there ever was one.
“So we went up in one of the helicopters he flies for his new job. He said we were going to Raleigh to buy baby gifts for Jean’s shower next week.”
“Baby Julia will be here before we know it. Jean’s as big as a house. I’ve been kidding her they need to confirm it’s not twins. But don’t get off the subject. So you’re up in a helicopter...” She made a skeptical face. “Noise, altitude, headphones...”
“They’re a private fleet,” Kelly replied, “so these helicopters are very nice. But I knew something was up when we headed west instead of east. Bruce took me up over the mountains. And you know what a pretty summer day it was yesterday.”
“Gorgeous,” Yvonne agreed, “but you’re in a helicopter.”
Granted, most people wouldn’t consider the setting romantic, but to her it was perfect. “He said he wanted to be absolutely sure I’d made my peace with the sky.” That was the wonder of Bruce. He understood her—her history, her weaknesses, all of her—completely. “And while I thought I had, at that moment I knew I had. And I told him so, but of course I was crying when I did.”
“That is rather sweet. I’ll give him that,” Yvonne said.
“And he told me that while he was glad to have given me back the sky, I’d given him the whole world back. That he was sure he’d never find joy again but he was so happy now. And that he knew lots of men got down on one knee, but he wanted to ask me to marry him up among the clouds.” She stared at the stunning sky blue sapphire solitaire that now graced her left hand, surrounded by a “cloud” of white diamonds. Blue sky and clouds, at her fingertips for the rest of her life. It was the most romantic thing she could ever imagine.
“And you said...” Yvonne clued, wide-eyed and smiling.
“Of course I said yes,” Kelly gushed. “And I kissed him as much as two headphones and air traffic safely protocols would allow.”
“Which I expect wasn’t much.”
Kelly blushed. “We made up for it once we landed.”
“Of course. And the girls?”
“They were waiting up when we got home. Bruce had written them both letters saying what he was doing. It was adorable, really.” She yawned. “We all stayed up far too late being ridiculously happy.”
“Good for you,” Yvonne said, coming around the counter to admire the beautiful ring. “Matrimony Valley pairs off another one of its fine women. And I get to make another cake.”
“You do,” Kelly agreed, hugging her friend. “But be warned, I plan to throw my bouquet straight at you.”
Yvonne pulled away just a bit. “Oh, yeah? How’s your aim?”
Kelly discovered she could smile even wider. “Excellent.”
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, go back to check out the
first heartwarming romance in the
Matrimony Valley series:
His Surprise Son
Find these and other great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from A Baby for the Minister by Laurel Blount.
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