Page 15 of Run with Me

My gaze darted to the corner of the dance floor where Mateo was leaning against one of the posts and eyeing me. He’d been staring since the moment we arrived.

“I was going to do this later, but I see that I have to keep your mind preoccupied right now. I have a feeling that this is the only thing that can help you relax.”

We stopped, and suddenly I felt like I was the center of attention as John knelt down in front of me. One of the boys from the church brought him a sunflower, and that’s when I noticed that the bloom had a yellow ribbon tied to its end. On the end of the ribbon was aring.

John untied the ribbon and held the ring in front of me. My knees were shaking like a pair of maracas, and the barn was filled with whispers of anticipation. Was this really happening?

“Live for today,” he mouthed, and I smiled from above. “Joanna Maria Williams, will you do me the honor and marryme?”

Tears streamed down my cheeks. I caught Mrs. Hernandez crying as her son proposed.

“Yes, of course I’ll marryyou.”

Cheers sounded all around, and music began playing. John slid the ring onto my left hand. It was modest and perfect. He then lifted me into his arms and kissed me hard. It was rare for him to display his affection for me in front of everyone, and I couldn’t have been happier.

We’re engaged.

The rest of the evening flew by without a hitch. We danced and laughed, accepted rounds of congratulations from family and friends, and ate way too many enchiladas. When we found a quiet moment on one of the hay bales, John wrapped his arm around my waist and brought me closer.

“What do you think about a Christmas wedding?” he asked.

“Thatsoon?”

“Why wait? I love you. I want to protect you. I want you to be mywife.”

“John, you’re not doing this for my safety, are you? Because I’m fine at the house.”

“Of course not. But I honestly can’t wait to see the look on Ben’s face when you become mywife.”

“So it’s a territorial thing for you?” I teased.

“Partly, but mostly it’s an I love you kind of thing, youknow.”

“I love youtoo.”

When John walked me home that evening, I didn’t want to let go. We stood at the threshold for what seemed like hours, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

I am engaged.

“Stay the night, John. Share my bed,” I whispered into his ear. He pulled me in closer, until my nose rested in the crook of his neck. I breathed him in and felt my breasts immediately react to the scent.

“You know I can’t. If I stay tonight, I won’t be able to resistyou.”

“That’s why I’m inviting you, John.”

“We agreed to wait. And the dancing went on longer than I thought.”

I nodded. He was right. Waiting to be together until after we were married would be that much more special.

“Will I see you at breakfast?” he asked.

“Yes, I’ll see you in the morning.”

We kissed goodnight, and I went to the kitchen to cut up an apple. It couldn’t have been longer than ten minutes when I heard a vibrant knock on the door. At first, I thought John had changed his mind, but when I saw Ben’s face through the glass pane, I stilled withfear.

“Hola, chiquita,” I heard from the outside. The porch light illuminated Ben’s silhouette. It was almost ghostly. His brother and cousin were lurking in the shadows behind him as Ben swayed back and forth on hisfeet.

“Open the door, beautiful.” He knocked on the glass again, this time harder. The glass panes in the door vibrated.

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