Page 78 of Shape Of My Heart
Hilda and Gabriella shared in her excitement on the way back home. They were really happy for her. She’d sent Teddy a message, along with her mother, brother, and all her friends from New York andAtlanta.
When she got back home she ran straight inside and into Josh’sawaitingarms.
“I got it!” shecried.
He picked her up and whirled her around. “Of courseyoudid.”
It was only when he set her down that she saw the soft trail of rose petals on the floor, and noticed the ambient romantic setting of the place. He’d dimmed the lights, had classical music playing in the background, and opened the French doors displaying the candle-lit table on theterrace.
That, too, had rose petals dashed about the top. It looked like something from a dream. Just like everything else about tonight.Andhim.
“Josh,” she breathed, looking backathim.
He held her hand out and gazed down at her with complete adoration. His next words then stole her heart and captured her entire being. “Be near me when my light is low, when the blood creeps, and the nerves prick. And tingle; and the heart is sick. And all the wheels ofbeingslow.”
In Memoriam.She smiled upathim.
When she’d first heard him recite it she’d been shocked to no end that he liked poetry. Now she was experiencing something different because he was speaking those wordstoher.
She’d heard that poem being read many times. Heard it being read with ardent fervor, and love and respect. Everything that meant something. She just never expected that someone would ever recite it to her, with herinmind.
He smiled at her, gazing deep into her eyes as he held onto both her hands before continuing, “Be near me when the sensuous frame is rack'd with pangs that conquer trust. And time, a maniac scattering dust. And life, a fury slingingflame.”
He paused so she could continue. It held so much meaning now.Forthem.
“Be near me when my faith is dry. And men the flies of latter spring. That lay their eggs, and sting and sing and weave their petty cells and die. Be near me when I fade away. To point the term of human strife. And on the low dark verge of life the twilight ofeternalday.”
He stared at her for a few seconds with his beautiful eyes. There was something about his look that stood out to her, holding her attention. It spoke tohersoul.
“You’ll not fade away, Amy Rose. Thanks for not letting me fadeawaytoo.”
She welcomed the soft kiss he gave her and became lost within the warmth of emotion that surged throughherbody.
She almost didn’t hear herphonering.
“Get that, baby,” he whispered againstherlips.
She messaged a lot of people and they were most likely calling to saycongratulations.
“I’ll call backtomorrow.”
The phone stopped ringing, and started again almost withinsistence.
Josh gave her a lopsided grin. “I’ll bet it’s your adoring fans. Get it and I’ll chill the elderflower juice,” helaughed.
She shook her head at him and answered herphone.
“Hello?” she said into the receiver with a brightvoice.
“Amy, its Dr.Carson.”
Instantly her brain jumped at the recognition of him and what it could mean if he was calling her at this time ofnight.
“Dr. Carson. Is mymomokay?”
“Amy, your mother’s had another heart attack and she’s been taken intointensivecare.”
