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“This is a good beginning,” Emily whispered, kissing his neck.
“Let’s get in the tub before the water gets cold. I have other plans for you, my bride-to-be.”
They’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms until Paul woke up at midnight. He was getting dressed when Emily awoke.
“I wish you could stay.”
“I have to get to work by seven.” He bent over to kiss her. “But we’ll see each other on Saturday, and if you’re up to it, we’ll spend the night together.”
***
On Saturday when he was sure Charlie was going to come up, he sent Emily a text.My dad’s on his way with a bunch of tchotchkes for the cabin. Let’s tell him our news.
She answered,I’m on my way.Ten minutes later she pulled through his gate. Robin was used to the little white sedan in the driveway on Paul’s days off. Over the summer, they’d divided their time between her place so they could swim, or his when they wanted to ride. The horses thrived under their care and attention. Even the mule was in a better mood.
The car door wasn’t even open yet when Paul bounded down to greet her.
“I missed you,” he said, reaching for her. “Twenty-four hours is a long time to be away from my fiancée.”
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she smiled at the new term. “And I was away from my fiancé and didn’t like it.”
“We’d better get married right away,” he said, kissing her.
“Get a room!” Sam yelled across the yard.
“We’re engaged!” Emily called out.
They walked arm in arm over to the fence, her hand outstretched. “You’re the first to know!”
“Robin is going to be so jealous that you told me first,” Sam said, cackling.
“Don’t tell her you know,” Emily said. “Shush! Here she comes.”
“Howdy, neighbor! We have news,” Paul called out when Emily held out her hand again.
The commotion felt so good; Emily was in her glory, showing off her ring.
“It’s a beautiful ring,” Robin said. “Did you set a date yet?”
“Not yet,” Emily said.
“But soon. We’ll let you know so you can clear your schedule,” Paul said.
“Is the engagement a secret?”
“She wants to tell all the women in the neighborhood,” Sam said, rolling his eyeballs.
“I just don’t want to say anything if they don’t want me to, smart aleck.”
“It’s not a secret,” Paul said. “I can’t wait to tell everyone. My dad’s on his way up, so he’ll be the first family member to know.”
“Congratulations from us both,” Sam said.
They waved goodbye and headed to the cabin.
“That was nice. I liked telling them we’re getting married. I can’t wait to tell my friends at work when school starts.”
“You’ll be back teaching again soon. Boy, the summer went fast. Yeah, we’ll tell my family tomorrow. What about yours?”
