Rebecca rushed out of her job as city auditor exactly at five o’clock. She barely heard her coworkers shout out well wishes. It was Wednesday, which meant it was her standing weekday dinner date with Kurt when he was in town, but today butterflies flipped in her stomach. It was Valentine’s Day. They’d known each other for almost a year. A glorious, wonderful, adventurous year.
Her boots slapped against the asphalt as she rushed around her car for a quick safety check. Some habits died hard, but this one didn’t seem like one she had to give up. Fear didn’t well up.
It took five minutes to drive home—she shared the house with Grandpa, an arrangement she’d feared would end up stifling, but so far had been beneficial to them both. The house was empty, though, which was odd. She didn’t know of her grandpa having any plans for Valentine’s, and he had scaled back to part-time hours with the courts. She placed a heart-shaped box of chocolates on the counter for him and rushed to change into a maroon dress. Her unruly curls finally submitted to a fresh round of spritzer as she pulled up the sides into a barrette.
Her phone buzzed.
Do you mind meeting me at the restaurant? I’m running late. Sorry.
She exhaled. His tone seemed more like a normal date than a special date. Right? So he probably wasn’t going to propose. Logically there was no reason to get her hopes up, so she needed to calm down. She slipped on her fuzzy winter boots and hoped they didn’t look too out of place with the dress.
Fat snowflakes descended from the gray, heavy clouds in the sky.
The Cedar Floating Restaurant was the most romantic restaurant in town. She pushed aside the self-consciousness and passed couples, staring into each other’s eyes, on the boardwalk. The host inside seemed to recognize her even though she’d never been there. Either that, or she was the only single person here on the holiday. “Miss Linn? Your party is here.”
The nerves rose to the surface. Lord, help me be calm and not rush things. Your timing. Your plan.
Kurt rose from his chair. He smiled and pulled her chair out for her. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” He kissed her cheek and sat in his own chair.
A peck on the cheek probably meant no proposal. She took a deep breath. Time to just enjoy a wonderful night.
He held up a shopping bag. “Before I forget, on my last fugitive case, I came across this shop and thought you might like this.”
Her trembling hands opened the bag to find a red glittery cat collar and a second cat collar with a red bowtie attached. Babette and Si would look so cute in them. “I knew you’d warm up to the cats. You love them.”
She might’ve imagined it, but it looked like he blushed.
“So, this is kind of spontaneous...” he said.
“You’re changing the subject.”
“Because I have a question.”
Oh, boy. She gulped, smiled and nodded. “Yes?”
“Would you like to join the co-ed softball team at church with me?”
She blinked rapidly and closed her gaping mouth. Softball. She fidgeted with the edges of the tablecloth. It was actually a great question. He hadn’t enjoyed anything baseball related since his days in high school, even though it was obvious he loved the sport.
“I spoke to my dad,” he said. “He might even be willing to travel here and do some guest coaching or refereeing one or two times.”
That was also a huge deal. He’d reconnected with his father. She brushed off her initial disappointment and reached across the table to grab his hand. “I would love to be on a team with you.”
Kurt looked over her shoulder then met her eyes. “True confession. Although, I’d been thinking about it, I wasn’t planning to ask you that tonight. I was stalling.”
“Stalling?”
He slipped off his chair to take a knee but didn’t let go of her fingers. His hand shook around hers. “Please marry me.”
Her heart rate went through the roof. “Y—”
“Wait. I think I should try that again.” He pulled out a black box from his suit with his other hand and offered her a lopsided, gorgeous smile.
“Rebecca Linn, will you please do me the honor—”
“Yes!” She laughed aloud and jumped out of her chair. She sank down on her knees before he could get up, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. His hands gripped her waist.
He lifted his head and grinned. “You haven’t even looked at the ring.”
“You’re what matters.” And she meant it.
“I needed to stall because someone wanted to be here for this.” He didn’t remove his hands from her waist, but he gestured with his chin to someone behind her. She turned her neck to see her parents and her grandpa watching them...as well as most of the restaurant attendees. Grandpa beamed and nodded his approval. Her mom and dad were both laughing and wiping tears from their eyes.
“You won them over. Grandpa’s going to be jealous. It took him ten years to win over his in-laws.”
“I’m just happy that it’s the first time you’ve kissed me in public without me being injured.”
She laughed and tilted her head. “It was worth the wait, wasn’t it?”
He pulled her close. “Hmm, I forget. Remind me?”
“Happily.” Rebecca’s heart almost burst with the knowledge that her family approved of their plan to get married and, more importantly, her heavenly father did, as well. She leaned forward and soundly kissed him, at peace with their plans for the future, yet fully wanting to live in the moment.
This particular moment sent a spark all the way down to her toes.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from MOUNTAIN REFUGE by Sarah Varland.
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