“Did you see that?” she gasped during intermission, animated by the spectacle. “The way he professed his love—it was both ridiculous and beautiful!”
“Ridiculous but beautiful seems an apt description for many of life’s best moments,” Thomas said grinning at her.
*****
Days later, Joy entered the grand ballroom on Thomas’s arm. The chandeliers cast a warm glow over the sea of high society, each member more finely dressed than the last. Joy shook with nervousness.
“Remember, just be yourself,” Thomas whispered.
“Easy for you to say, Mr. Bank President,” she teased back.
But as they mingled, Joy’s natural charm shone through.
“Have you heard the one about the farmer’s daughter and the traveling salesman?” Joy began, and soon, peals of laughter erupted from the group gathered around her.
Through the crowd, Thomas watched, his heart swelling with pride. Joy had bridged the gap between worlds, turning skeptics into admirers.
“Seems you’ve stolen the spotlight,” Thomas commented later.
“Only because I had an excellent guide,” Joy replied, her hand finding his. “I didn’t expect making friends in Boston to be quite so…exhilarating.”
“Nor did I anticipate enjoying their company so thoroughly,” Thomas admitted. “You’ve turned my world upside down, Joy, in the best possible way.”
“And there’s no one I’d rather be topsy-turvy with than you, Mr. Worthington,” Joy said, her laughter echoing throughout the ballroom.
*****
Thomas led Joy into the heart of the bustling marketplace. Stalls upon stalls stretched before them.
“Good heavens,” Joy said, her eyes wide with wonder. The stalls were all multicolored and seemed to blend into one another, creating confusion.
“Quite the artist’s palette,” Thomas agreed, chuckling at her. His gaze followed her every move as she flitted from one vendor to another.
“Look at these!” Joy exclaimed, pointing to a heap of plump strawberries. She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes.
“Freshly picked this morning,” the vendor boasted. “Sweet as the summer sun itself.”
“May we?” Joy asked, glancing at Thomas for permission.
“By all means,” he said, nodding. The vendor handed them each a strawberry, and together they bit into the ripe fruit, its sweetness bursting on their tongues.
“Divine,” she sighed, her voice a song that mingled with the chatter around them.
“Absolutely,” Thomas replied.
They wandered past stalls draped in fabrics of silk and linen, their fingers brushing against the cool, soft textures. Joy paused to admire a bouquet of wildflowers, their vibrant hues dancing in the light breeze.
“Wouldn’t these look splendid on our dining room table?” she mused aloud.
“Only if you promise not to outshine them,” Thomas quipped, earning a playful swat on the arm.
“Flatterer,” Joy teased, but she accepted the flowers with a smile.
*****
As they returned home after another joggling ride in the automobile, Joy carried her flowers into the house and put them in a vase before standing back to admire how they looked. “If only I could bring all of the outdoors inside! Our house would be the most beautiful home in all of New England!”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You bring joy with you wherever you go. Your parents named you well!”
