White River Brides
Page 46
“How about the beef on a bun?” he said. “That way, I won’t have to worry about your choking on a bone while we’re walking.”
“Walking?” She waved toward rustic tables and chairs that sat invitingly beside the café. “Why can’t we eat there?”
“Because I want to get to your surprise before the crowd finds us.”
“Oh, I almost forgot the surprise. Everything is so wonderful. I’m so glad I got to come.”
“I am, too. It would not have been the same for me without you here.” He handed her a sandwich and then got one for himself, letting the rest of their group fend for themselves.
She took a bite and rolled her eyes with pleasure. “This is the best food I’ve had in years.”
He laughed. “What about the fine dining we did in Paris last year?”
“No, this is better.” She wiped the corner of her mouth with a paper napkin.
Jim laughed and waved to the rest of their party, who were all taking their food to the tables.
Good. She’d rather be alone with Jim.
They strolled over a bridge that crossed a creek and continued over a hill.
Suddenly she stopped, and stillness enveloped her. “Oh, Jim,” she whispered.
Before her stood a small log building. A rustic sign across the door said WILDERNESS CHURCH. Except for the sign, the building looked exactly the way it had seventy years ago, when she saw it for the first time at the age of eight. But there was a deeper reason for the tears that filled her eyes and overflowed onto her cheeks.
Cupping her face in his hands, Jim brushed his thumbs across her cheeks and wiped away her tears. “And this, dearest, was your surprise.”
She took his arm. “Thank you, my darling,” she whispered as they walked inside.
Standing in the darkened building, Jim took her in his arms, and they shared a kiss that was every bit as wonderful as the one they’d shared when they’d been joined in marriage in that very church fifty-five years ago.