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“Well, you can tell him it worked next time you see him,” Lily grinned. “And thank him.”
“I will,” Ashton replied. He slipped his arm around Lily’s waist. “This has been the best day ever.”
“Totally,” Lily said. “And just think about how many more we can have.”
“I like the sound of that,” Ashton replied as he kissed her firmly on the lips.
“I’m so glad we found each other again,” Lily sighed happily.
“Me too.” Ashton kissed her again. “I never want to let you go now. You’re stuck with me.”
“That sounds perfect.” Lily took his hand and they wandered towards the fading glow of the sunset and their future.
EPILOGUE
“So, what’s this big surprise?” Lily asked, adjusting the blindfold she was wearing.
Ashton took her by the hand. “Come with me. I think you’ll like it.”
She allowed him to lead her into the barn. She could smell the fresh, clean hay he’d stored down one end the day before, and somewhere nearby, a chicken clucked contentedly. Outside, it was a glorious spring day and the birds were singing their hearts out.
“Are you ready?” Ashton asked.
“Sure.”
Ashton removed the blindfold, and Lily gasped in amazement.
“What do you think?” Ashton said, proudly indicating the gleaming vintage car standing in the middle of the barn.
Lily was speechless. “What is it?”
“It’s a 1928 Ford pickup roadster,” he told her.
She stepped forward to touch the wooden rails on the tray with her fingers. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said reverently.
“They’re special,” Ashton agreed.
“Is it yours?” she asked. “How …?”
“It was in the big machinery shed,” Ashton answered. “My dad thinks it belonged to his great-grandfather. Over time, we all kind of just forgot about it. When I took over the farm, I looked at all the things in the machinery shed, and there it was, under a dusty old cover. I thought I’d like to restore it someday, and today is that day.”
“This is so amazing,” Lily breathed. “Why didn’t you say anything about it?”
“I wanted to surprise you. I’d already started work on it a couple of years ago, but I decided to finish it this winter.”
“I love it,” Lily said. “Does it go?”
Ashton burst out laughing. “Does it go? It sure does!” He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “The whole point and purpose of this surprise is to ask you if you’d like to take a ride in it, complete with a picnic prepared by me. Kind of like a nod to our ancestors who might’ve done the same thing a hundred years ago.”
Lily nodded, unable to speak for a moment. “That sounds wonderful,” she said at last.
“Then give me a moment to get the picnic hamper stowed away, and we can go,” Ashton replied. “It’s such a nice day I thought it would be a shame to waste it.”
“This is amazing,” Lily said again as she walked around the shining pickup with its deep green paint, wire-spoke wheels, and black canvas roof. The interior was as shiny as the outside, with a deeply-polished steering wheel and dashboard, and gleaming leather seats. “I never knew you were into this.”
“I wasn’t.” Ashton flicked a speck of dust off the hood. “It was a steep learning curve for some things, but I don’t regret the experience, not for a moment.” He opened the passenger door and bowed. “When you’re ready, your ride awaits you, my lady.”
Lily smiled at him and climbed inside. She was glad she’d worn jeans and a warm sweater. Ashton secured the picnic hamper in the rear of the vehicle and climbed into the driver’s seat. The engine started smoothly, and they glided into the barnyard. Ashton closed the barn door and then they set off down the driveway.
