by Mary Manners
“It feels good…right.”
“I can see that. Take these.” She pressed two tickets into his hands. “They’re for the symphony tonight. Maci gave them to me. I was going to ask Ali to join me, but I see there’s a higher purpose at work here.”
“Maci…a higher purpose?”
“It may take you a while to refresh your radar.” Josie waggled her fingers. “So, I’ll give you the abridged version: Maci’s a friend of Ali’s. She plays violin for the symphony. She really wants Ali to be there for the summer opening.”
“Don’t tell me Ali hasn’t been…” A light dawned, and Ryder felt a bit queasy. He wondered what had happened to the bracelet he’d given Ali that night. He’d planned to fill it with so many more charms, so many memories. That dream had stalled, but it didn’t mean it was lost forever.
“That’s right.” Josie nodded sharply. “Get her to the symphony and you’re golden. You can thank me later.”
****
“I’m ready.” Ali slung her purse over her shoulder as she rounded the corner of the kitchen. Ryder waited near the counter, his fingers unwrapping a stick of gum. She heard his slight intake of breath as his gaze slipped her way.
“You look…amazing.” He drank her in, like a drowning man at the oasis. His gaze hesitated when it reached the silver bracelet on her wrist. A single charm dangled, and she wondered if he remembered the night he’d given her such a treasure. She didn’t know what made her wear the bracelet tonight; she hadn’t taken it from its case in nearly eight years. Yet, the weight of it felt good, right.
The same as loving Ryder felt good and right. Did he feel the same?
“Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” The sun had tanned his skin to a dark bronze, bringing out the blue of his eyes. She held her hand out for a stick of gum. “May I have a piece of that?”
“Sure.” He handed one over, his fingers skimming her wrist so shivers flashed up her spine. “Gonna be a nice night.”
“I know.” She glanced out the window to the sun shimmying over the horizon. Soon stars would come alive along a blanket of velvet. “I thought we might take your bike.”
“The motorcycle?”
“Unless you have a two-seater Schwinn stashed somewhere out back.”
“OK.” He swallowed hard. “I mean, we can ride the cycle.”
“Good.” She let him take her hand as they started down the walk toward the boathouse, where he’d parked the Honda. When they’d made it nearly halfway down the walk Ali paused.
“Where’s that light coming from.”
“You’ll see when we get closer.”
“Ryder, what have you done?” Delight tickled her belly. “There’s a bench, a lantern…and flowers—lots of flowers.”
“You said you still love to read, so I made you a garden—a reading garden. It will give you a place to relax when you’re not tending to guests, or baking your soon-to-be-world-famous-scones.”
“It’s…lovely.” She smoothed a hand over a swirl of wrought iron and couldn’t help but tease. “Can we stay here now? I have a new book—”
“Later.” He grinned, tugging her past the bench. “The night is waiting.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the symphony.”
“Ryder.” Ali stiffened and stumbled over a cobblestone. Her delight fled, replaced by trepidation. “I’d rather—”
“I know you’re scared. But I’m asking you to trust me.” He leaned in, smoothed a finger over the bracelet. “Why did you wear this tonight?”
“I’m not sure.” Ali fought the wasps that stung the inside of her belly. She’d planned to leave her wrists bare, but at the last moment had felt led to wear the bracelet. “I guess I’m in a sentimental mood.”
“Me, too.” He brushed his lips over hers. “That was a good night, wasn’t it?”
She couldn’t speak, so she nodded slightly as they entered the boat house. His bike waited, and he handed her a helmet.
“Please, trust me, Ali.” He skimmed her cheek with callused knuckles. “Tonight will be even better.”
10
Ryder was home. As he and Ali sped from the inn that night, the realization firmed like cured cement. Watching the lights glow and the lake shimmer in his rearview mirror while they pulled down the drive, he was certain he’d never be content anywhere else. He and Ali shared a love of Willow Inn—and a love for one another.
Ali slipped onto the blanket he’d spread over the grass near the band shell. As she nestled close, her citrusy perfume filled his senses and mottled all thought except the truth at the very core of his being.
He loved her.
His will, not yours.
“I got some popcorn and sodas.” Ali slipped a kernel into her mouth. “Josie’s across the way. She said to tell you hi. She said to tell you your second order of books just arrived.”
“I’ll pick them up next week.”
Listen to your heart, Ryder, and seek His will.
Hearing his heart was no problem; it pounded through the cotton fabric of his polo.
“Here’s your drink.” Ali handed him a bottle of soda. “Are you OK? You look flushed.”
“It’s a bit warm.” He tugged the collar of his shirt as she eased in beside him. The music started, filling the air with the song of violins.
“There’s Maci,” Ali whispered, pointing discretely to a willowy, cinnamon-haired woman seated at center stage beneath the lights of the band shell. “Isn’t she wonderful?”
“Yes.” Ryder slipped an arm around her waist, tugging her closer as the music washed over him. Ali’s eyes slipped closed, and he knew she was feeling the gentle cadence building to a crescendo, just as their love for one another grew. “I’m glad you came with me,” he murmured into her ear before planting a gentle kiss along her jawline. He’d never felt such depth of emotion…such need.
“Can we stay for the fireworks?”
“Mmmm…” He kissed her again. “I believe they’ve already started.”
Much later, the crowd cleared and the sky morphed from smoky-gray to a deep, nearly translucent blue. The scent of gunpowder lingered, an after-effect of the fireworks. Ali nestled beside him, her eyes still filled with wonder at the brilliant display of light.
“You thought I’d forget, didn’t you?” Ryder twined his fingers with hers.
“Forget what?” Ali’s thumb grazed his palm, giving his heart a jolt.
“Your birthday.” He reached into his pocket, felt the small box he’d tucked there hours ago. “But I didn’t. I couldn’t.”
“Oh, Ryder.” She took the box and slipped a finger over the shimmery-pink wrapping. “You shouldn’t have. You’ve spent a fortune on landscaping…and all the time you’ve put in. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“I haven’t asked you to repay me. The landscaping is a gift—and not from me, but from Mama Stallings. I’m paying her kindness forward, just as she asked me to.”
“You mean…” Ali’s eyes filled with tears.
“That’s exactly what I mean.” He tapped the box. “This, on the other hand, is my birthday gift to you. Open it.”
She tugged at the wrapping, loosening it along the seam until the box slipped free. Ryder knew the exact moment she realized what waited inside.
“It’s my heart, Ali.” He handed her the small silver charm—two hearts entwined to become one. “All of it, for you. I love you. I want to spend my life with you.”
“I love you, too.” She threw her arms around him, tears overflowing. Their kiss was a promise of God’s plan for them…and of all yet to come.
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May God’s glory shine through
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AMDG