the way her natural scent mingled with the rose soap she used; and feel her soft, tender lips, hot on his skin. But she was gone before he could so much as smile back at her.
Emma and Susan darted in and out of the kitchen setting the table and bringing out a large roast with potatoes and carrots and what looked to be homemade dinner rolls and fresh whipped butter. Amidst the burning in his stomach from the nerves, he felt a rumbling of hunger. He wondered whether Emma had cooked this and if he had this kind of good eating to look forward to in the very distant future. Sure would be nice to have food that took longer than three minutes in the microwave to cook.
Everyone bowed their heads and the pastor said a prayer. And before Dustin knew it or had lifted a finger, his plate was filled with gravy covered meat and vegetables, a hot, buttered roll on the side.
He took a bite and was grateful it didn't get snatched off of his tongue the way Emma's smiles and kisses seemed to be disappearing. The meat was so tender it practically dissolved on his tongue like cotton candy. "Who do I compliment for this meal?" he asked, looking to Susan.
"Oh, Emma," she said, with a cheerful smile. "She insisted on doing it all."
He smiled at Emma. His girl. "It's delicious. You're amazing," he said. Then he realized he might ought to clarify. "At cooking, I mean. Not that you're not generally amazing overall...because you are...but I just mean..."
She mercifully laid her hand on Dustin's. "Thank you, Dustin. I know what you meant."
He grinned in relief and continued eating.
"She made dessert, too," Susan said. "I suggested she make you a pecan pie. I've made those for Travis because I know they're his favorite. But Emma insisted you were a chocolate chip cookie man."
Dustin laughed. "I am a man of simple tastes," he said. He refrained from telling her that Travis's favorite pie was whichever pie was in front of him at the moment. He was too happy that Emma knew this little detail about him.
"Well we'll have to have you over a few more times," Susan said, "so that Emma can show you the versatility of her cooking skills. That way you'll know exactly what you're getting when you get married."
Dustin choked. Dear God, not the "m" word.
"Mom, I'm not auditioning," Emma said.
"Oh, but you are, dear." Susan turned to Dustin. "You do want a wife who can cook, don't you?" she asked.
"A wife?" Dustin's voice squeaked.
Susan stared at him as though she didn't understand his response.
"We assumed that your intentions were ultimately to marry our daughter," Pastor Harris said.
Dustin's hear was banging around in his chest. "I...I...,"
"Daddy, it's our sixth date," Emma said. "Dustin doesn't want to talk about that stuff now. He'll propose whenever he's ready."
Dustin stared in horror at Emma who was calmly taking prim little bites of her food and smiling like nothing out of the ordinary was taking place.
"Well the way I understand it," Pastor Harris said, "you two have been interested in each other for a while. I can't imagine a courtship lasting too long."
"Of course not," Susan said. She smiled at Dustin. "Why, we've already got a wedding cake picked out. And you should see the dresses she's going to try on."
Dustin couldn't hear anything over the pounding in his ears. The food lost all taste. His tie was choking him. He reached to his neck. No, he wasn't wearing a tie. It was the invisible yoke of marriage wrapping its cold fingers around his neck like the hand of death.
"Dustin, are you alright?" Emma said.
He looked at her and nodded, trying not to show the terror that he was feeling. "Fine. Great."
She smiled and patted him on the hand again. After dinner there was dessert and still more talk of a future he was in no way being asked to participate in, but that involved him nonetheless.
"I know it's cold outside," Emma said, "but would you like to bundle up and sit on the porch swing with me?"
Dustin sighed in relief. "That sound's great," he said, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice. At last an end to the horror and a few moments alone with the girl he loved.
She brought out a huge blanket for them to share. Dustin slid his arm around Emma's waist and pulled her up against him. All he would get to