Eyes on the Unseen Prize
Page 6
***
After a long day of skiing, Piper and Nick enjoyed a candle-lit dinner in a cozy hickory-style steakhouse a few blocks from their lodge. Once finished, they bundled themselves up in their ski jackets and gloves and got ready to brave the chilly night. Piper slipped a Peruvian ski hat on her head as she followed Nick through the door and out into the parking lot. His thick mane of hair was all that kept his head warm. Within moments, they were strolling hand in hand along a sidewalk on their way towards the lodge.
“Great dinner. That steak was amazing,” Nick said.
“I agree. Delicious.”
“Should we stop anywhere, or do you want to head straight back to the lodge?”
“I’m thinking we should head back and get cozy by the fireplace.” She put her hand on his shoulder as she said, “I enjoyed the time alone with you today, Nick.”
“I always enjoy being with you. Much healthier than hanging around Bob and Flypaper. That’s for sure.” He turned towards her and put his arms around her as he gave her a passionate kiss. Then he looked into her eyes and said, “I love you Piper McCoy. Always have. Ever since I met you so many years ago. Thank you for being my girl.”
“I love you too, Nick.” Piper felt butterflies dancing in her stomach and her heart throbbing. She was more in love with Nick than ever.
“I hear that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Do you like diamonds?”
Piper gasped. “Well, sure. Of course I like diamonds.”
“Round, square, oval, marquis?”
“Why do you ask?” Piper grinned the biggest grin ever as she stared into his eyes.
He kissed her again and winked. “Just curious.”
“I like round diamonds. No more than a carat. Bigger ones are too showy for me.”
“Good to know,” he said, just before they resumed their stroll.
Piper was elated. Maybe he would be popping the big question soon. She was ready to marry him, have kids with him, and live out their lives. Five kids. She wanted five kids, so they needed to be married soon. She wasn’t getting any younger.
Moving into his house in downtown Orange Bay would happen first. Then she would give the whole house a good cleaning. The windows needed washing, the floors needed scrubbing, and the furniture needed dusting. Nick wasn’t one to clean much and the house had become a little untidy since the passing of his mom. She pictured herself planting colorful flowers and Hibiscus bushes around the front porch and filling the planters with impatiens and carnations.
Her mom came to mind and she envisioned her in the kitchen in her apron cooking meals for the family. She always made the most scrumptious meals in all sorts of international flavors, from rump roasts to burritos, curried chicken and tuna casseroles. The meals were always followed by warm chocolate chip cookies, apple pies, or velvety chocolate brownies. Her mom was an excellent cook and she missed her more than anything, but she knew she was in heaven watching over her. Her mom had lived a good Christian life.
They walked another block holding hands before Nick opened up again. “Do you think you could grow old with a wretch like me?”
“Are you kidding? Wretch? I’d love to grow old with you. You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life, and you’re as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside.”
“Piper, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She would need to select a bridal gown, flowers, centerpiece arrangements, table settings, and other decorations. Together, she and Nick would develop a guest list and determine the table assignments. They would also need to meet with the pastor to discuss their plans.
Her thoughts placed her in the offices of the church, sitting next to Nick and discussing their wedding plans with the pastor. She recalled the first time she saw the pastor when Nick took her to the Fellowship Church a few years before. The church wasn’t one of those auditorium or gymnasium-style churches one often encounters in the southern region of the United States, but a rather cozy one. The strong messages delivered by the pastor every week had inspired hundreds to squeeze into its doors so they could “come, grow, serve, and go.” It was a little slice of heaven.
Piper turned her attention back to the slice of heaven she was enjoying in Colorado. She wondered where and when Nick would be popping the question. Hopefully soon. Very soon.