by Janette Oke
“A vote?”
“A secret ballot. I’m wondering if you are worried that whatever one of us has decided might influence the other.”
“I thought of it.”
He indicated a bench at the side of the trail, and she understood and let him guide her to a seat. Ducks swam up to the shore, expecting a treat. When one was not forthcoming, they scolded loudly.
“So I thought maybe, to be sure that doesn’t happen, we should each write our answer on a piece of paper, then exchange them and unfold them together.”
It seemed rather like a childish game, but Christine nodded.
“Have you made up your mind? It’s important that we are sure,” he said, looking at her intently.
“I feel God has given me direction . . . yes,” she answered, feeling suddenly shy.
“Okay—here’s the question so we both know exactly what we are answering. ‘Do you feel God has given His okay for us to pursue a relationship?’ Yes—if you feel He has. No, if you don’t. All right?”
“I understand.”
He handed her a prepared slip of paper. The question was even penned at the top so that there could be no misunderstanding. “A pencil?”
Christine smiled. “You did come prepared” was her attempt to joke even though she felt a nervousness tightening her stomach.
They turned their backs to each other and wrote out their answers. When Christine turned around she held her breath. She was now committed. Whatever his paper said, hers was already written in black and white.
“All right, let’s exchange,” he said as he slid a little closer. “On the count of three.”
Christine squeezed tight her eyes. She wasn’t sure she could look.
“One. Two. Three,” he counted, and she unfolded his paper. There was the one word, in big, bold capitals, YES. She closed her eyes again, her heart whispering her gratitude to God.
She heard his whispered, “Thank you, God,” and opened her eyes. Her paper was directly in front of him with her longhand “Yes” making a light on his face that touched her deeply.
He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face toward his. She had never seen him so serious. “We need to talk . . . and talk . . . and talk,” he whispered. “I want to know . . . everything . . . about you.” His arm slid around her shoulders, drawing her close. His blue eyes, serious and inviting, were very near her own. “So where do we start?” He smiled. “I don’t suppose we need to be in a particular hurry. We’ll have an entire lifetime—but even then I’m not sure it will be long enough.”
She felt tears on her cheek, but she was not sure if they were hers—or his.
Neither of them was aware when the ducks finally gave up their begging and swam away.
A Midwestern Plains Series
That Delights and Inspires
Beginning with the opening pages, Lauraine Snelling’s newest historical fiction series will put a smile on your face. From the Torvald sisters’ cross-country trek to receive a most unusual inheritance to the lassoing of a cowgirl’s heart by an unexpected suitor, these historical novels overflow with humor, faith, and joy.
DAKOTAH
TREASURES
Ruby
Pearl
Opal
Amethyst