Ella Grace smiled, “I wish he’d propose to you soon.”
“I do, too,” Katie whispered. “I’m in love with him.”
The smile that spread across Ella Grace’s face was all Katie needed to know. Her sister was as happy as she was. Now, if Benjamin would just propose.
~ * ~
Benjamin hurried along to church hoping he wouldn’t be late. He slipped into the pew beside Michael and Ella Grace just in time, but his eyes were trained on the beautiful blonde woman in the pew in front of him. He did his best to listen to Pastor James, but just like each Sunday before, his mind wandered to Katie. His heart hammered just thinking of being close to her, and he chided himself for having such thoughts in church. He closed his eyes and tried to listen to the sermon and sing the hymns, but he still pictured Katie in his mind. As soon as Pastor James gave the final blessing and wished his congregation a good day, Benjamin was on his feet moving toward Katie.
“Good morning, Katie. May I walk you home before our picnic? I’ll carry the baby,” Benjamin offered.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Katie asked with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“I told you my sister has three children. They love their uncle, and I’ve toted them around since they were as small as this little girl,” he answered and took Josie from her arms.
Ivy and Rosie skipped up and took over any conversation Katie and Benjamin might have had on the walk back to Howard House. When they arrived, Benjamin handed baby Josie to Julia and followed Katie into the kitchen.
“The younger girls made meat pies yesterday. We like to have something we can eat as soon as we get home from services on Sunday. They may look a bit odd, but they are delicious,” Katie explained as Benjamin watched her place several small, misshapen pies onto a plate. She placed a bowl of vegetable salad, a jar of lemonade, and two large slices of apple pie into the basket.
When she closed the lid, Benjamin picked up the basket and said, “After you my dear,” and then followed Katie out the back door, through the garden, around the pet cemetery, and to the pines where they enjoyed their previous picnics.
Benjamin, apparently hungry, ate with enthusiasm and spoke little. His mind was in a whirl thinking of what to say to the beauty sitting next to him. Katie worried something was amiss and Benjamin’s silence meant he was unhappy sitting with her. After their meal, but before dessert, he asked if they could take a walk.
Benjamin helped her to her feet and held her hand as they walked around the pines to the small stream where they shared their first kiss. Benjamin stopped walking and turned to Katie.
“You know I decided to move to Silverpines when Michael explained what had happened to the town and that my skill as a carpenter would be appreciated,” Benjamin began.
Katie only nodded.
“I thought I could make a start with my own business, something I couldn’t do back home with both my father and brother working as carpenters in the family business. I never thought my plans would change so quickly and dramatically.”
Katie’s heart sunk. He changed his mind. Was he leaving Silverpines for a town with more opportunity? When he did, he would take her heart with him. Katie did her best to keep from letting the tears that were forming in her eyes fall.
Benjamin stared off into the distance for a few moments and then looked back at Katie. “I want you to know you played a large part in those change of plans.”
Oh my, it was worse than Katie thought. She had done something wrong, and now he would leave.
“I never expected this to happen so quickly, but it did, Katie. I’m not good at words, but I need to try and tell you.”
“Yes,” Katie whispered afraid speaking any louder would give away her fears.
“Katharine Deidmann you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Not only that but you are kind, loving, generous, and stronger than any woman I’ve known. Your dedication to your sisters shows what kind of person you are, one I can’t live without.”
Benjamin dropped to one knee, and Katie’s hands flew to her mouth.
“Please say you’ll marry me, Katie. I can’t imagine life without you. I promise to be the best husband and father to our children if we’re blessed with them,” he continued and held out a gold ring graced with three small sapphires. “This was my mother’s. She said I should give it to the woman I love one day. I love you, Katie. Marry me, please.”
The tears Katie had been holding back finally began to flow as she shook her head up and down. “Yes, oh yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, too, Benjamin.”
Benjamin stood and slipped the ring onto Katie’s finger then lifted her in the air and swung her around until they both felt dizzy. When he stopped, he looked deep into her eyes and lowered his head for a kiss. Not the gentle kiss of a nervous suitor, but the kiss of a man in love promising a life of more kisses and love shared.
Katie returned his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. They broke their kiss only when they heard giggling.
Benjamin whispered, “I didn’t think your guardians would send the spies so soon.”
Katie laughed. “They may have come on their own. I know how to send them off running and give us a few more quiet moments.”
Katie turned to Ivy and Rosie. “Benjamin just asked me to marry him, and I said yes. Run along and share the news with everyone else.”
As the twins screeched and ran
