Page 79 of Wish You Faith

“Oh I see.” He sighed. “So you know what I wanted to ask you.”

Rosie nodded.

“When can I pop the question?” Evan asked.

“After you’ve prayed a lot and gotten a confirmation from the Lord.”

“Yes. For sure.”

“On any day except Christmas and Easter Sunday. Sacred days that should be devoted to God. Imagine celebrating an anniversary that overlaps these days.”

“Ah. I get it. You’re more objective than I thought.” He sounded disappointed.

Rosie blinked away tears, as though she had just turned him down. It wasn’t her intention.

Evan tugged at her arm, and pulled her over to sit on his lap. “I don’t have a problem with it, but since you do, I will save this for another time.”

Another time?

Rosie tried not to cry. That felt like forever. Had she missed an opportunity of a lifetime?

Evan hugged her tightly as she sobbed. “Please don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry, Evan, that I have such strong opinions about Christmas.”

“Don’t be. You spoke your mind, and I respect that.”

Rosie didn’t feel comforted.

“How long do you plan to be with me?” Evan asked.

“For the rest of my life, Lord willing.”

“So do I.” Evan tipped her chin down so that they could see each other eye to eye. “For now, would it be okay with you if I hang out with you and your mom all afternoon and evening?”

“Sure.”

“What do you usually do on Christmas Day?”

“Well, after a hearty brunch or lunch, Mom takes a long nap. Then the neighbors come over to play board games. I clean up the kitchen and read a book.”

“How about this afternoon?” Evan stroked Rosie’s arm.

“Mom’s taking a nap. I want to go for a walk on the beach.”

“I’ll go with you.”

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Fifty-eight degrees plus windchill kept Evan and Rosie in winter jackets and holding hands as they walked along the shoreline of Tybee Island.

Evan glanced back toward the SSLR property. He could see the four-story main building in the distance and the greenhouse to one side. On the other side of the property, a fence separated SSLR from the apartment complex next door.

The wind picked up some, and Evan drew Rosie closer to him.

He was disappointed that Rosie prevented him from proposing to her at Grandpa’s condo. She had guessed correctly because he’d gone down on one knee and called out her name.

However, he wanted her to accept him free and clear without the date bothering her. If their proposal anniversary was the twenty-fifth day of December, Christmas would diminish their special occasion, and they would have injected themselves into a sacred day.

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