glad to see sunshine and a blue sky on the trip from the airport to the park. Emma had mentioned that they were planning a little party. Sophie just hoped that they weren’t going to too much trouble since Teddy would only have a couple of hours before he had to leave.
She always hated to see him leave, but this time it was going to be doubly hard. After the amazing time they’d had together, she couldn’t imagine telling him goodbye. Maybe that’s why she had this feeling of dark doom floating over her head.
Everything is perfect. Why are you sad? the annoying voice in her head scolded.
Because nothing is ever perfect, and that scares me, she thought. And I don’t deserve a perfect life, or perfect showings like I just had.
“Darlin’, we’re almost there,” Teddy said.
She turned to face him and realized that they had turned off the highway onto the dirt road leading back to the trailer park. “I’ll miss you so much, but I’ll paint from daylight to dark to make the time go by faster.” She leaned over the console and kissed him on the cheek.
“I may not wash my face or shave for a week,” he teased.
“Oh. My! Look what they’ve done,” she squealed.
“What?” Teddy asked.
“Look at the park and all those lights. It’s broad daylight, and the sun is shining, but just look at what they’ve done for us.”
“Holy smoke,” he gasped. “We’re not having the commitment ceremony today, are we? I haven’t even bought the wedding bands or written my vows.”
“No, I made it clear that the ceremony would be on July Fourth. That way you won’t ever forget our anniversary, and there’ll always be fireworks,” she said.
“Honey, there will be fireworks between us until we dance across the clouds into eternity,” he told her.
“Keep telling me pretty things like that even when we’re old and gray.” She laid a hand on his cheek. His sweet words helped chase away part of the heavy feeling, but not all of it.
“You’ll still be hot to me when your blonde hair is gray, sweetheart, and I bet the twinkle in your eyes will always be there just like it is today.” He parked the truck in front of her trailer.
Filly, Arty, and Josh all waved from the table. Emma came out of the trailer wearing one of her flowing skirts and Filly’s jewelry. Her dark hair was piled up on top of her head in a ponytail, and she was smiling even brighter than the sun and the flashing lights hanging from the trees. Suddenly, Sophie couldn’t wait to get her alone and get all the details of what had happened while she was gone.
Teddy unfastened his seat belt, got out of the vehicle, and jogged around the front end to help Sophie. They started toward the table together, but when the hugging, hand shaking, and back patting started, they were soon separated.
“We are so happy for you kids,” Arty said. “Come on around and take your places at the table. It’s ready and waiting for you to dive in.”
“Y’all didn’t need to go to all this much trouble,” Teddy said, “but those steaks sure smell good.”
Emma gave Sophie a second hug and whispered, “I’m so glad you’re home. It’ll take hours and hours to tell you everything.”
“I know, and then I’ll tell you everything,” Sophie said.
Teddy reached out and took Sophie by the hand, tugging it gently. “Shall we, darlin’?”
“Of course.” Sophie flashed a smile at him and stepped out of the hug. “This is absolutely amazing. Em, you should have told me. I would have dressed up.”
“And ruin all the surprises?” Emma winked.
“As in more than one?” Sophie asked.
“Wait and see,” Filly told her.
A lovely white cloth covered the table. Sophie had never seen the real china plates on the table, but there they were today—white with a shiny gold edge—and sparkling silverware also. Gorgeous cactus flowers floating in a crystal bowl served as a centerpiece. The place looked like something Sophie would have expected to see at an outdoor party in Paris.
Teddy waited for her to be seated on one side of the rectangular picnic table, and then he sat down on the bench beside her. He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “This is awesome,” he whispered just for her ears.
Arty’s prayer was a little longer than usual because he said a blessing for the newly engaged couple. Tears welled up in Sophie’s eyes. These folks