AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It almost feels as if we could be riding in a horse and buggy,” Lily giggled. “Apart from the motor noise, of course.”
“We’ll just stick to the quiet country roads,” Ashton said. “This grand old lady wasn’t meant to contend with fast traffic.”
For the next hour, they wound around the quiet country lanes of Licking County. Lily enjoyed seeing old farmhouses, lively streams, and even deer grazing in a clearing in a patch of forest. They stopped to admire a waterfall and took photos of wildflowers and peaceful views of the countryside.
At last, Ashton turned to Lily. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I know there’s a nice picnic spot not far away.”
“Let’s stop,” she agreed.
A few minutes later, they came to a pretty park beside the road. Several picnic tables were dotted about the grassy space, which looked over a pond, and beyond the pond, rolling hills and farmland.
“This is nice.” Lily stood and stretched, admiring the scene before them. There were no other visitors at the park, and she felt as if she and Ashton were the only people on the planet.
“Rug or table?” Ashton asked, holding up a folded picnic rug.
“Let’s go with the rug,” Lily suggested. “It’s such a lovely warm, sunny day to stretch out on a rug.”
“Okay.”
Ashton spread out the rug and they got settled. Lily closed her eyes and felt the sun on her face.
“This is how life should be,” she said.
“I agree.” Ashton started to unpack the picnic food. He handed Lily a plate.
“We have roast chicken and potato salad, green salad with avocado, and I made some cheesy muffins this morning,” he said.
Lily’s stomach grumbled. “You made my stomach growl,” she giggled. “It looks delicious.”
“There’s a pie for dessert,” Aston added.
“You’re spoiling me.” Lily held out her plate for a serving of potato salad.
“You deserve it,” Ashton smiled. “You’ve been working so hard lately. I made lunch for you so you can have a break.”
“Aww, that’s sweet,” Lily said. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
Ashton looked away for a moment. “It wasn’t entirely altruistic.”
“What do you mean?” Lily was puzzled.
“I had my own reasons for today.”
Lily frowned. “What are they?”
Ashton took a deep breath and leaned forward to take her hand. “I love you, Lily. I can’t imagine the future without you. Will you marry me?”
Lily gasped. “Marry you? I never expected this! Yes!”
Ashton’s face split into the biggest grin she’d ever seen and he jumped up, almost overturning his plate of food. He drew her to her feet and into his arms, holding her close.
“This is the best day of my life,” he said against her hair. “We’re going to be so happy, Lil. I know we are.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “We already are.”
“I want to grow old with you,” he said softly. “I want us to live life together, to do things together. Just like today. Let’s not ever get too old or too busy for a picnic or to enjoy everyday moments.”
“Those are what a life together is made of,” Lily said. “The big things are nice, but it’s the little everyday things that hold life together.”
