Delight filled Cissy as Gil took both her hands in his right there in the front of the packed church.
Philippians 4:19 swept through her mind. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
Cissy blinked back tears and mentally gave thanks for such generosity. Gil squeezed her hands, calling her gaze back to his.
“We need to talk.” Glancing around, he added, “In private.”
As one, they moved toward the door that led into the rear of the building. Cissy’s thoughts tumbled from her lips.
“I can help you apply to the Mission Board. A-and as director, I can offer you the job of handyman. That will—”
Gil stopped in his tracks, swinging around to face her. “I don’t want to go to Mexico as your handyman. I want to go as your husband.”
Husband. The word echoed through the suddenly silent sanctuary. Lodging itself in Cissy’s heart, it swelled to fill every crack and hollow. Her brain, however, lagged behind.
“You want to marry me?”
Gil’s dark eyes smiled. “What part of I love you don’t you get?”
Crying out with delight, she threw her arms around him.
“I love you, too! And I need you with me.”
He drew her into a tight embrace, saying, “We can get married in Oklahoma tomorrow—no waiting period—and still leave on Friday.”
She answered him with a kiss. The sound of applause broke them apart. She’d completely forgotten where they were! Sharing a look with Gil, she burst out laughing. He joined her as Sally rushed forward.
“At least I know you’re not going alone!” she wailed, hugging Cissy. Then she thumped Gil in the center of his broad chest, declaring, “But I want my grandbabies born on this side of that border!”
He slipped an arm around Cissy, promising, “We’ll do our best.”
Then Jeb was there, and Belle Colby and so many others, all laughing and congratulating the happy couple.
“I wish you could do the honors,” Cissy told Jeb, “but we just don’t have the time.”
“Maybe you could stand witness for us, though,” Gil proposed.
Jeb beamed ear-to-ear. “It would be my pleasure. In the meantime, how about I bless your engagement? In Biblical times, that was as binding as a legal marriage.”
“With the wedding slated for tomorrow,” Sally noted wryly, “it’ll be a short one.”
“Short but sweet,” Cissy whispered, gazing up at Gil.
“Followed by a long and happy marriage,” he promised.