Chapter 10
Colin had been in the field for close to three weeks and I was working my sixth straight day. I had found picking up extra hours helped pass the time while he was training. Bonus: it allowed me the chance to take some time off when he wasn't training.
I wasn't expecting him back until Saturday afternoon at the earliest. I was cleaning up, following my normal routine, when the jukebox began to play Bed of Roses. I knew the bar was all but empty, so I turned towards the jukebox and found Colin leaning against it in his tucked-in black t-shirt and nice fitting jeans. And of course, his Stetson. He tilted his head and gave me his famous crooked smile. I shook my head and walked over to him. What a surprise!
“When did you get back?” I grinned as I got to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. He didn't return the embrace and that's when I realized his smile had vanished. I stepped back. My breath caught in my chest, panic washed over me. He'd been gone for nearly three weeks and unexpectedly showed up.
Oh no, he's going to break up with me. He decided he doesn't want to seriously be in a relationship. This is gonna suck. I love him so much…
My internal rant almost made me miss...
Wait… what’s h...
I gasped and unconsciously tucked my hair behind my ear.
Huh? he's... he's down... He's down on one knee. Oh! My! What?
There Colin was on one knee staring up at me. “Joleene Nicole Henderson, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man and spend the rest of your life with me?”
Honestly, I couldn't breathe. Then I was having a hard time seeing as the tears blurred my vision. Blinking, I finally saw him holding open a tiny black velvet box. Light glinted off the small diamond. I had no words. How could I possibly speak? I couldn't breathe. And I'm pretty sure my brain had fully stopped. I just nodded my head, afraid words would fail me, and held out my left hand.
Chapter 11
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep...
I hit my phone multiple times to turn off the alarm. I was only partially able to see. Finally I located the spot to stop the annoying sound. I flopped back over, trying to figure out why my alarm was going off. Like I said, I wasn't fully awake, so my brain wasn't firing on all cylinders yet.
“Why did I set my alarm today?” I was rubbing the sleep from my eyes and then a lightning bolt hit me and I sat upright, fully awake.
“I’m getting married today!” I was screaming as I bounded from my bed. I grabbed my phone, double checking the time. I was meeting Layla to get our hair done at ten.
Oh good, it's only eight. I didn't oversleep. I was grinning and looking at my lock screen picture. It was Colin and I at the batting cages. I spun around, so happy.
There was a knock at the door that stopped me just before getting too dizzy. I floated to the door in my nightshirt. I so didn't care. Nothing could spoil this day.
“Delivery for Joleene Henderson,” the delivery guy stated. As I opened the door, he was holding a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, roses mixed with carnations and baby's breath, which smelled amazing.
“I'm Joleene,” I said, reaching forward as the guy handed me the bouquet. “Thank you.”
He was already leaving when I called out, “Have a fantastic day.”
Closing the door as I smelled the flowers, I smiled. “Who are these from?”
I found the card, but before I could read it, there was another knock at the door. I turned back and opened it and there was the delivery guy holding another bouquet of flowers. Daisies and carnations this time.
“Here you go. Sorry. I can only carry one at a time. Have a great day.” He turned and left.
Holding both the vases, I used my foot to close the door. “Two bouquets in the same day? Who from?” I wondered aloud, walking to the kitchen bar top. I sat them down. I checked out the card of the daisy bouquet.
We are all so happy for you and Colin. Here's to an amazing life full of adventure, batting cages and minigolf. Love Layla, Dale, and the rest of the Screaming Eagle family.
Looking at the daisies, again, I just smiled as tears obscured my vision.
My parents may be gone, but I still have my family.
I smelled them one last time before turning my attention to the rose bouquet.
I do.
That was it. Those two little words opened the floodgates, tears flowed freely as my smile stretched ear to ear. I was going to spend the rest of my life with my true soulmate.
I spent the morning with Layla getting our hair done. Nothing too fancy, just something special. Soft beach waves, loosely tied back and held by a purple rose. The crisp fall breeze graced my arms and legs, leaving small goosebumps as Layla and I walked the steps to the courthouse. No fancy wedding in a packed church, just a simple JP wedding in front of Layla and Colin’s roommate Isaac with dinner at The Screaming Eagle.
At least, that’s what I thought. I stopped, surprised and curious, when I saw Dale at the top of the stairs, talking to Colin and Isaac. Evidently Colin had asked Dale for permission to ask for my hand and thought Dale should be there when we promised our lives together—him being my only family.
I walked straight into Dale's arms
