Part 37
The run-in with Jeremy had left Anna a bit shaken. He brought into her new office the shame of the past, the mistakes she had made thrown in her face, and then the unexpected meeting with John – it started all the questioning all over again.
She went home and had a good cry, something she hadn’t done very often since her mother died. She cried until her nose was all stuffed up and her eyes were red. She cried as though there was no consolation to be found anywhere. Then she used some 12-hour nasal spray and went to bed.
“I’m tired and worn out and exhausted,” Anna said to herself. “I just need a good night’s sleep.”
Anna totally crashed that night and drifted off into a deep, therapeutic sleep. She was in such a deep sleep that when the alarm went off in the morning, she was actually confused as to what day it was and for a moment what she had to do.
Once the hot coffee was made and she had a chance to take a hot shower and clean herself up, Anna felt a lot better. It was exhaustion and frustration and grief all rolled up into one. She was an emotional casualty of life. She prayed that God would lift her up and help her.
On the job a half an hour later, Anna got the report from the numbers at the open house, the sign-ups, and the number of phone calls. It was very positive. Mr. Collins called to congratulate her and the entire committee for a job well done.
At around 9:00 a.m., Mrs. Ferguson came to her office with a huge vase of flowers.
“Here, Anna, these came for you,” she said smiling.
There was a card. After Mrs. Ferguson left, Anna opened it.
“Anna, you are the best. Love, John. Date on Saturday night, 7:00 p.m. sharp.”
It wasn’t a question; it was a statement. Anna rather liked it and she started thinking about what she might wear.
And although the rest of the week dragged on a bit, Saturday did arrive. She had called John to thank him for the flowers and he seemed very pleased that she liked them. She asked him what kind of clothes to wear and he said she should “dress up.”
John arrived promptly at 7:00 p.m. and he had on a suit, crisp blue shirt and a tie, and he wore wing tips. Quite a switch from his usual work day attire. He looked unbelievably handsome. Anna wore a lovely dark pink dress appropriate for a spring evening, and some strappy sandals.
“Where are we going?” Anna asked, looking over at this transformed John.
“It’s a secret,” John said. “We’ll be there soon enough.”
They headed to Addleford but buzzed on through the city via the freeway and went beyond. Soon, they pulled up to a remote rural place and she saw that it was a very beautiful old inn with pillars out front and a long balcony. John parked the car and they went inside. He had made reservations.
The place was gorgeous, the lighting very subdued. They had wine, and then ordered their meals. The cuisine was decidedly French. They had cheese as an appetizer and then a salad, and then their meals, and then split a decadent chocolate dessert.
All the while John and Anna talked and talked. No interruptions, no phone calls, no work, no stress.
At around 10:00 p.m., a strolling group of violinists came by the table and played waltzes for them. Just after they left, John moved his chair over closer to Anna’s and whispered in her ear.
“I hope you are ready for this,” he said in a whisper.
John stood up and then got down on one knee in front of Anna. The musicians suddenly returned as on cue, and John held out a chocolate velvet box in front of her and flipped the lid. It was the most beautiful ring Anna had ever seen.
“Anna Smithson, will you marry me?” John asked, his eyes meeting hers.
Anna felt her heart pounding in her chest. It was so unexpected, so not like her careful, paced John. But she knew what the only answer could be.
“Yes,” she said and he stood up, she stood up and they hugged. And he gave her a kiss and then slid the ring on her finger. The band applauded and played one more song.
All the way home, Anna kept looking at her left hand with a sense of wonder. She had never seen it coming.
“I know this probably seems awfully sudden, but don’t we know what we need to know already?” John asked. “This is right, and we don’t have to get married tomorrow. I love you. Katie loves you. Janet loves you.”
“So did you have something in mind for a date?” Anna asked.
“Well, what do you think?” he said, holding her hand while he drove.
“Would July be too soon?” she asked.
“July is perfect,” John said.
“Well, there is one other question then? Where will we live?” Anna asked.
“Let’s figure it out tomorrow after church,” John said, giving her a kiss at a traffic light in Addleford.
They were both like teenagers at that moment – carefree and so much in love.
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