Page 60 of Evan

He blinked at her. “You want to go for a drive?” Turning his wrist, he noted the time. “At this time of night?”

She grinned at him, trying to diffuse the gamut of emotions swirling around them.

“It is just ten. I want to be alone with you.”

“Cassandra…”

“I love it when you say my name.”

He sent her a wry look. “It’s late.”

“Let’s live dangerously.”

“Dangerously is the operative word.” He muttered. “We might end up getting mugged.”

“We are protected by the highest, God.”

In the end, he reluctantly agreed, because he was beginning to realize that he could not deny her anything.

The park was a few blocks away from the restaurant and deserted at that time of the night, giving them privacy or the opportunity of some nefarious character to take advantage of their vulnerability. Parking the car at the side of the road, he allowed himself to be led along the path.

She made it into an adventure of course. Taking his hand, she led the way to the rides and finally stopped at the swings, where they sat and pushed off leisurely, side by side. He had never been so contented and happy in his life and could not help but wonder if anything was going to interfere with this joy bubbling up inside him.

“I often look up at the sky, especially when it’s filled with stars like tonight and marvel at God’s handiwork. It’s amazing how much he has given us to enjoy and shows his wonderful love for us.” Turning her head, she studied his handsome face. She was wearing his ring and did not dare to calculate how much it cost.

He was in love with her and that in itself was something she was still yet to come to grips with. “When I was little, I wanted this Barbie doll that was all the rage back then. My dad had died, and mom had a new husband. I wanted something that belonged to me.

Bedtime stories were no longer read to me, because she said that I was getting too old for such a thing.” She broke off in contemplative silence. “I grew into the habit of reading to myself. It became an obsession with me and was a great source of comfort.”

“Did you get the doll?” His heart was breaking as he pictured her as a little girl, lonely and frightened.

“No.” She shook her head, a smile touching her lips. “I didn’t. After she died, I forgot about it until I finished college and started working. I was on a shopping trip to the mall whenI happened to walk into a toy store and saw the exact doll I wanted.”

“And let me guess – you bought it.”

She laughed, leaning her head against the thick rope that made up the swing. “I did.”

Her expression sobered. “Now I have something so precious, that it is beyond me. I have you.”

He went still for a second before giving into the need to scoop her into his arms.

Chapter 15

Before they could even announce their engagement, their photos exploded all over the internet. The internet was filled with photos of them dining at the restaurant, with several featuring him holding her close as they danced intimately, leaving little doubt as to the nature of their relationship.

Cassandra woke up Saturday morning to several missed calls on her phone from several people including her best friend and her pastor.

Evan had also called and left her a message.

“Call me as soon as you get this.”

“Hi.”

“Cassandra, I have been calling you several times.”

“I am sorry, I overslept. After last night…”

“You just woke up?”

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