Truly, Madly, Deeply (The Baxters #31) - Karen Kingsbury Page 0,84

in a rush the group turned around and yelled, “Surprise.”

Annalee had a front-row spot. Maddie put her gloved hands to her mouth and then looked up at Dawson. “What…” She turned to the group. “You’re… you’re all here!” Her eyes welled up.

Dawson couldn’t stop smiling. He put his arm around her and drew her close. Then with gentle care he took off her gloves—one at a time—and slid them into her coat pocket.

Maddie made a sound that was more laugh than cry. “Dawson… what are you doing?”

Sunshine broke through the clouds and shone down on them as Dawson took Maddie’s hands. “God alone could’ve dreamt this up, Maddie. This crazy, amazing story between us.”

The crowd of family formed a half circle around them, so everyone could hear what Dawson was saying.

“You, Maddie.” Dawson framed her face with his hands. Their chemistry made Annalee forget the winter cold. Dawson looked at Maddie for a long beat. “You are the one I’ve always prayed I’d find.” He ran his hand over her hair. “And now you’re here.”

“Dawson…” Maddie put her hand on his. She seemed completely unaware of the rest of them. “What… what is this?”

“I found you and now…” He shook his head. “I don’t want to spend a day of my life without you.”

“Me, either.” Her voice was softer than his. Like she was mesmerized by the magic of the moment.

Tommy took Annalee’s hand and looked into her eyes. “One day,” he whispered. “One day, Annalee.”

Her heart felt light as air. One day. Yes, she wanted to tell him. This was all she wanted one day. When she was well and they were older and the time was right. But here all she did was nod and let her eyes do the talking. Then they both turned again to the beaming couple before them.

Dawson took a step back and dropped to one knee. From his peacoat, he pulled out a velvet box and opened it.

Again Maddie put her hands over her mouth as happy tears slid down her cheeks. “Dawson!” She danced in place a few seconds and squealed.

Suddenly one of the lions let out a ground-trembling roar. So loud Dawson couldn’t have been heard if he shouted.

He laughed and lowered the box. For a second he looked down and shook his head and then, as the lion quieted, Dawson’s eyes found Maddie’s again. “Have I mentioned that I love how this is your favorite place? The zoo?”

Everyone laughed, and Maddie covered her face for a moment, her tears and laughter mingling in the most happy way.

In a heartbeat, the moment grew intimate again. Dawson took her hand once more and held up the ring. The diamond glistened in the sun. He smiled. “I’ve asked your parents and my dad… and I’ve asked our God above. Now… the only one left to ask is you.” He hesitated. “Maddie West… will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Maddie danced in place again as Dawson rose to his feet. He took hold of her face and she settled down. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes. “Yes, Dawson Gage. A million times yes.”

He kissed her. A kiss that made Annalee catch her breath.

The small crowd seemed lost in the moment as the couple kissed again. As if the sheer beauty of the passion and romance between Dawson and Maddie was something that made time stand still. And after a few seconds they all burst into applause.

“Way to go, Maddie,” Tommy shouted.

And the rest of the family added their congratulations, too. The next half hour was full of hugs and pictures, and eventually all the parents took a photo together. When finally it was time for Tommy to take her home, Annalee could only hope that someday—if the Lord allowed—the moment that had just played out wouldn’t belong to someone else.

It would belong to her and Tommy.

26

The five o’clock Christmas Eve candlelight service was exactly what Tommy needed. After their beautiful day at the zoo watching Dawson propose to Maddie, Annalee had gone in for another round of chemo. Now she was struggling with a low blood count, so she was back in the hospital tonight with her parents.

And Tommy was here at church with his family. Believing God. Trusting Him with every heartbeat.

This night was one of his favorite moments of the holidays. Sitting next to his parents and Malin and Johnny, soaking in the wonder of that first long-ago Christmas Eve.

Typically Pastor Dell Johnson would read from the Bible about Mary and Joseph and Bethlehem