So far, the night had been amazing. Not exactly how Titus had planned, but amazing nonetheless.
As soon as they cleaned up their dinner mess, he prompted Emily to read her next note.
He loved the cute faces she made when she read the notes. Sometimes, like now, she’d scrunch up her nose and he felt like planting a kiss on it.
“We met at your garden stand, but it wasn’t by chance.
Please open your gift and allow me a dance.”
She stared at him, confused. “A dance?”
He didn’t say anything, but nudged the gift toward her.
She giggled as she opened it. “You’re spoiling me, you know.”
“I hope so.” He couldn’t stop smiling if he tried. He was certain that he was enjoying this even more than she was.
Her eyes grew wide as she pulled her gift out of the box. “Titus! You didn’t…did you make this?” She grazed her hand over her name inscribed on the top, then lifted the lid of the wooden jewelry box.
He nodded. “It plays music. The turner is on the bottom.”
She held the jewelry box up and turned the wind-up key. When she let go, the sweet melody began. “Ach! You Are My Sunshine.” Tears surfaced in her eyes. “I love this song.”
He felt like saying, “I love you,” but he suspected she already figured as much. “Let’s go down to the stream and have our dance?”
They stood from the picnic blanket and he led the way to the stream. On the bank, he reached for her hand.
“I’ve never danced before,” she confessed, as she set the music box down. She took his hand and allowed him to draw her near.
“Just put your arms around my neck,” he instructed. He’d actually never danced either, but he’d seen people on television before. It didn’t look too difficult.
He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her close, then pretended he knew what he was doing by swaying back and forth. He was tempted to kiss her, since she was so close, but he refrained from doing so.
They kept dancing, even after the music stopped. Eventually, he gave in and kissed her on the mouth, resulting in unfulfilled desires. Likely for both of them.
They sat on a rock and enjoyed nature for a little while. The stream was like a lullaby that could calm a weary soul.
He pulled a note from his pocket and handed it to her.
She read the words he’d penned.
“Every cell in my body has now come alive.
Go back to the quilt to reveal note number five.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know if you can call the picnic blanket a quilt or not.”
“It doesn’t matter. I want to read number five.” She clutched her jewelry box from the rock she’d set it on, and they continued toward their picnic site.
“It’s the last one,” he warned. And hopefully the best.
She arrived at the quilt and glanced around. “Where’s the note?”
“You’ll have to find it.” He grinned.
“It’s not in the picnic basket, is it?”
“Nee.”
“Ach, the pocket?”
He shrugged.
She opened the pocket on the blanket and pulled out a velvet pouch. “What is this?” She stared at him.
He nodded toward the pouch.
She opened the draw strings, then peered inside. Turning the pouch upside down, she allowed its contents to fall into her hand.
“Titus!” She breathed out his name, placing a hand over her heart. “Are you…? Is this…?” She fingered the two wedding rings.
In their district, one of the wedding customs was to hide two rings inside the bride and groom’s cake. When it was served to the wedding party, one man and one woman would discover the ring in their slice of cake. Superstition said that they would be the next in line to get married, but not necessarily to each other.
He encouraged her to open the note.
“I want to be near you for the rest of my life.
Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she stared at him. “Titus, are you serious?”
“I’m dead serious. I love you more than I can stand it, Emily.”
Her hands shook. “I…I don’t know what to say. I mean, yes, but probably not too soon.”
He nodded. Yes was good, right?
“When were you thinking?”
“I was going to leave that up to you. I’d marry you tomorrow, if I could.”
“Ach, Titus.” She shook her head. “I wasn’t expecting this at all.”
“I hope it’s a gut surprise?” He couldn’t help the vulnerability in his voice.
She covered his hand with hers. “A very gut surprise. Just unexpected.” The curiosity in her eye was back. “Did you do all this for your first fraa too?”
“Nee.” He chuckled. “I actually went to the library yesterday and checked out a book on creative dates.”
“Ach, really?”
“Jah, really.” He stood from the blanket and proffered his hand to help her up. “Let’s go back to the house and enjoy some coffee now?”
“Coffee sounds perfect. Especially if you have any of those peppermint patties I can taste in your kisses.”
He chuckled. “I might have one or two.”
“Peppermints or kisses?”
“Both.” He raised his eyebrows twice.