He walked away.
Rose remained on the porch until he turned the corner.
Then the store door across the street opened.
Will stepped outside.
He had been waiting.
Of course he had.
Rose walked toward him.
“You told him.”
“Yes.”
“What did you say?”
“No.”
Will smiled.
“That concise?”
“Almost.”
He stepped closer.
“You chose me.”
Rose stopped him with one look.
“I am not choosing you because he came.”
Will’s smile disappeared.
“I know.”
“I am choosing you because you finally did.”
Will reached for her hands.
This time he did not stop himself.
Rose let him take them.
“Then let me do something properly.”
He reached inside his coat.
Rose’s eyes widened.
Will produced a small velvet pouch.
“I’ve carried this for three days.”
“You bought a ring before speaking to my father?”
“No.”
“It was my grandmother’s.”
Inside lay a simple gold band.
Nothing elaborate.
Nothing fashionable.
Rose loved it instantly.
“If you will have it.”
She looked at the ring.
Then him.
“Ask me.”
Will swallowed.
“Rose Callahan.”
His voice shook.
“Will you marry me?”
The wind moved through Main Street.
Dust lifted around their boots.
Rose smiled.
“Yes.”
Will closed his eyes briefly.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
He slid the ring onto her finger.
It fit.
He looked almost offended by his own luck.
Rose laughed.
Then Will leaned closer.
Stopped.
Rose noticed.
“You are doing it again.”
“What?”
“Thinking.”
“That is usually encouraged.”
“Not now.”
Will’s eyes dropped to her mouth.
Rose’s pulse quickened.
She placed one hand against his chest.
“Will.”
“Yes?”
“Kiss me before you lose your nerve again.”
He did.
The kiss was careful at first.
Too careful.
Rose pulled back slightly.
“That is what years of waiting earned me?”
Will stared.
Rose was smiling.
Something changed in his expression.
He put one hand at her waist.
The second kiss was not careful.
Rose’s fingers caught in the front of his shirt.
When they separated, both were breathing differently.
Will looked stunned.
Rose smiled.