Luke
proposes, giving Dollie a beautiful ring which Will made. She says
yes.
Their
kiss was longer this time. It wasn't until they heard a shout down
the mountain, that they turned around. Will and Patty were headed
their way. Will helped her over the rugged terrain. They arrived with
Patty slightly flushed and panting a little.
"So?"
she asked excitedly, reaching for her sister.
"I
said yes!" Dollie squealed.
Will
shook his brother's hand, pulling him into a half hug. Dollie and
Patty giggled and squealed as they hopped up and down happily. Patty
admired Dollie's ring and Dollie admired Patty's. She'd seen the ring
a dozen times since her sister got it, but she still liked to look at
the intricate, detailed work of the band. Hers was just as lovely.
She made sure to thank Will for it.
"The
idea was Patty's. She said how much you love dragonflies. I got the
basic design from an old lamp Mr. Prentice has in his back room. It's
from around 1895 or so. The brass base and the glass hood have
dragonflies all over them."
"I'm
so proud of you for learning the jeweler's trade," Patty said,
squeezing his arm.
"It's
a great talent," Dollie said, her dark eyes sparkling.
Lucius
felt a little left out of the conversation. He was good with is hands
as far as fixing things. He was an excellent carpenter and mechanic.
When it came to being artistic, he wasn't—at least not with that
kind of thing. He had designed Will's house and had a plan in mind
for his own. He could look at bricks, boards and land and visualize a
finished home. As a result, any carpentry work they needed at the
school, Lucius did it.
"Have
you set a date yet?" Patty asked her sister.
"No.
We want your wedding time to be special," Dollie said. "I
bet Mama and Papa could get away in a few months for another
wedding."
"I
know they would," Patty said. "You could rush about and get
married at the same time we do." She sounded half hopeful that
Dollie would say no.
"I
don't think so," Dollie said, not really wanting to anyway. "We
both want our own spotlight. Not only that, people will surely talk
if we marry so soon after our first date. They'll think there's some
sort of scandal."
"Not
gonna put Dollie in that position," Lucius said. "Y'all two
been dating awhile now. Me and Dollie ain't. They'll think your daddy
poked a shotgun under my nose." He blushed slightly. "Ain't
gonna have a repeat of the Betty Mae incident. That's the most
embarrassed I ever was in my life."
Will
clapped him on the shoulder, nodding. He'd had a scare or two in his
time, but none as public as Betty Mae.
"Thing
is, it was only the once. Girl was flat crazy, scared the bejeezus
outta me. Then to have her come at me with that story. Lord have
mercy!"
"No
wonder her daddy tried so hard to marry you two off. She was probably
making him crazy too," Will supplied with a laugh. "Let's
go on back down. Mama's askin' after you both."
"I
hope she doesn't think it's inappropriate, us engaged...."
Dollie said in a worried tone.
"I
'spect Mama will be pleased," Will said, though he had to admit
he wasn't sure. "Ain't every day her two sons tell her they're
getting' hitched."
"You
haven't told her yet?" Dollie was stunned.
"Only
been a couple days. Ain't had the chance to come up and chat. Besides
you two, don't no one else know."
Patty
and Dollie exchanged a look. They'd told plenty of people, thinking
Will had already discussed it with his parents. The ring on Patty's
finger had needed explanation.
"That's
not entirely true, Will-Billy." She explained.
"Well,
that's all right," he said with a smile. "So long as
they're happy for us."
The
four young people walked down to the house, holding hands. The girls
chattered about wedding plans. The men listened, grinning proudly,
content that their goals had been achieved.
Lucius
couldn't help wondering what his mother would think. She was very old
fashioned in some ways. The idea of him getting engaged to a girl
he'd barely courted might upset her. He'd had the dance and one date
with Dollie. All ready, she was wearing his ring. He'd considered
waiting, but his father's death had made one thing clear—life was
short and uncertain. He wanted Dollie to know beyond doubt how much
he loved her.
They
walked up to the back door of the cabin, startling Aunt Virginia, who
was talking earnestly with Patrick Kennedy. They stood close
together, whispering. Virginia stepped back, blushing.
"Didn't
hear you young'uns," she said with a nervous laugh.
"Had
us a walk," Will replied. "Good to see you, Auntie. You
too, Pat." He shook hands with the other man.
"Y'all
look real chummy," Virginia said, noticing they were holding
hands.
"Might
say the same," Lucius replied, frowning a question at his boss.
Patrick
actually looked flustered. "Me and Ginny got us some good news,"
he drawled.
"No
kidding?" Will crossed his arms. "And?"
"Nothing
formal yet," Virginia interjected. "But reckon we'll have
us a celebration in a couple months."
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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