She didn’t care that the whole congregation and even God saw him kiss her on the cheek. If they knew what went on out at the farm every night, they’d be grateful that he didn’t kiss her on the lips.

When the song ended, the preacher took the lectern. “Be glad that you can sing that song with conviction and that you know who holds your hand in times of trouble.”

Jennie Sue squeezed Rick’s hand. “Yes, sir,” she whispered.

“Shh,” Cricket scolded, and then winked at Jennie Sue.

The preacher went on to read scripture and then deliver a sermon. Jennie Sue caught an occasional word, but nothing that she’d be able to discuss later, because she was too busy counting her blessings. Rick Lawson was at the top of the list.

Amos was called on to deliver the benediction, and everyone said a hearty amen when he finished praying.

“Dinner is at my place today, and we’ve invited the preacher.” Nadine stood up and wiggled her head to get the kinks out. “I’m sure it was a good sermon, but I kept dozing off. Didn’t sleep worth a dang last night.”

Jennie Sue raised an eyebrow. “Dang?”

“Can’t say damn in the church, especially on Sunday. God is pretty serious about his day,” Nadine whispered.

“Rick and I won’t be at the dinner today. We’re going out to my five acres to see the land the tree cutters have cleared out. It’ll be a while before the construction crew can start the new house, but they assure me I’ll be in it by Christmas,” Jennie Sue told her.

“Won’t that be wonderful? You can have your first Christmas in your own house,” Nadine sighed. “But we get you for Thanksgiving. No excuses.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Rick said. “We’ll be there, and I’ll even bring the pumpkin pies.”

“Nadine is meddling,” Lettie whispered in Jennie Sue’s ear. “She thinks Cricket and the new preacher, Tom Davis, would make a good couple.”

“Oh. My. Goodness,” Jennie Sue gasped. “I can’t see Cricket as a preacher’s wife.”

“Did I hear my name?” Cricket whipped around from the aisle line.

“Yes, you did. I said that Nadine should call me when you are ready to come home this evening and I’ll drive in and get you,” Rick jumped in.

“I could take you home,” the new preacher said when Cricket put her hand in his. “And if you need a ride to Nadine’s, I could give you a lift there, too.”

“Well, thank you. That will save my sister a trip,” Cricket said.

“Sister?” Jennie Sue asked when they’d gotten outside the church.

“Hey, you said it first, not me, so now you have to live with it,” Cricket laughed. “Isn’t this new preacher just the dreamiest man ever?”

“Nope, your brother is,” Jennie Sue said.

“You’re wearin’ rose-colored glasses, and so is he. I’m going back inside to wait for the preacher,” Cricket said.

“When you get home, I’ll expect details,” Jennie Sue said.

“I’ll give you as many as you give me.” Cricket waved over her shoulder.

“What happened back there?” Rick asked as he opened the truck door for Jennie Sue.

“Nothing except that Cricket thinks the new preacher is sexy. I was thinking that the talk of the town tomorrow won’t be about us, but how unsuited Cricket and Tom are,” she answered. “Can you see your sister as a preacher’s girlfriend or wife eventually?”

He shook his head from side to side. “What’d be even worse is that he’d be my brother-in-law and I’d have to learn how to talk without cussin’. But let’s talk about us instead of them.”

“I like that subject much better. I’m so glad we’re taking a picnic to the creek. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon,” she said.

“I couldn’t agree more.” He nodded.

Rick held Jennie Sue’s hand all the way to the creek. She carried an old quilt, and with his free hand, he toted a basket of food that also had a pencil and several sheets of paper in it. Today she wanted to get Rick’s opinion of the first draft for the house design. The contractor had said that, barring any really bad weather, it could be finished by Christmas. The one thing she was adamant about was that it have a big porch that wrapped around three sides.

Rick set the basket off to one side, and together they spread the quilt out under the oak tree. Sun rays found their way through the leaves, and the creek bubbled along like it had nowhere to go and all day to get there.

“Peace.” Jennie Sue eased down in the middle of the quilt.

“Beauty.” Rick did the same and kissed her. “I didn’t hear a word the preacher said, because all I could think about was how lucky I was to have you beside me.”

“It goes beyond lucky. We are so blessed to have found each other. I wish I’d have known you better earlier in our lives,” she said. “I feel like we’ve wasted a lot of good years.”

He tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “No, darlin’, we haven’t. Everything happens for a reason. We weren’t ready to be together when we were young. We had to grow up and learn who we were and what we want out of life.”

“How’d you get to be so wise?” Jennie Sue asked.

“It’s only on Sundays. On Mondays I lose most of the wisdom,” he answered.

“Okay, wise man, do you think Tom and Cricket are going to hit it off?” She opened the basket and set out the food.

“Nope. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to spoil Lettie and Nadine’s fun, but the preacher has a girlfriend in Roby. I’m sure he was just being nice when he offered to drive Cricket to Nadine’s, or maybe he’s going to ask her to head the committee for the Christmas dinner again this year. I’m sure they’ll find out pretty quick, though it gets Cricket out of the house today.”

Jennie Sue squeezed his hand. “You’re a sly one. How’d you know about his girlfriend?”

“I drive the bookmobile, remember? And there’s some old guys up there that gossip as much as the old gals do here in Bloom,” Rick answered.

“I want her to be as happy as I am,” Jennie Sue said.

“When the time is right, she will find someone,” Rick said. “But enough about them. Today is all about us.”

He pulled a bottle of champagne from the basket and popped the cork.

“That’s some expensive stuff,” she said.

“There’s two wineglasses in there, too. I’m courting you in style.” He grinned.

“I love you, Rick, but I like beer better than this.”

“Well, today we’re doin’ it up right, darlin’. You deserve the very best.” His smile got wider.

“Why?”

“Because of this.” He got up onto one knee and took her hand in his. “Jennifer Susanne Baker, will you marry me?” He pulled a velvet box out of his pocket. “You have put sunshine back into my life and melted the chains from around my heart.”

“No, Jennifer Susanne will not marry you. But Jennie Sue will.” She threw herself into his arms so hard that they both fell backward and the box flew toward the creek.

He quickly retrieved it and snapped it open to reveal a beautiful pale-blue stone surrounded by fifty tiny diamonds. He slipped it on her finger and said, “The blue is the color of your eyes. The little diamonds around it represent the fifty years I want to spend with you.”

“And what if we’re together longer than that?” she asked.

“I’ll buy you another ring with more diamonds.” The kiss was long, lingering and sweet. When it ended, he looked deep into her eyes and knew that he was a blessed man.

Epilogue

Jennie Sue picked up the Bloom Weekly News on her way to the bookstore on the day before Thanksgiving. Cricket entered the store behind her with a shiver. The north wind blew dried leaves down Main Street, swirled them around, and sent them into the store before Cricket could slam the door.

Jennie Sue went to the thermostat and turned on the heat. “We probably should have closed today, since everyone will be home getting ready for the holiday.”