Page 60 of Shelter for Martina

“Little girl, you ask too many questions,” he answered with a laugh.

“Are we going on one of these ships?” she asked and pointed at three different cruiseliners.

“Actually, yes. We are.”

Her eyes went wide. “Seriously?”

“Yep. Oh, wait. Maybe not. We’re going, but only on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

Bud motioned for the family members to close in around them, and soon there was a circle of their loved ones sheltering them. That was the moment he’d been waiting for, and Bud reached into his pocket before he dropped to one knee. Martina gasped. “MartinaLavonne Foley Anderson, I love you with all my heart. I told myself that there had been too many things I’d planned to do with my late wife and we never did them. We put them off. I’m not putting them off anymore. If there’s anything I’ve learned in the past few weeks, it’s that if I want to do something with someone I love, I should do it as soon as possible. With that said, will you marry me?”

Martina gasped again. “You’re serious!”

Bud rolled his eyes at her and sighed. “Well, if I’m not, there’s a ship’s captain who’s going to be very disappointed that he doesn’t get to perform the wedding he thinks he’s performing.” He waited. “Well? Are you going to answer me?”

“Oh!” She squealed and clapped. “Yes! I want to marry you! On the ship? Oh, wow, I’m getting married on a cruise ship! This isawesome!” When Bud stood, she threw her arms around his neck. “I love you, Albert.”

“Can I put your ring on you? I’d kinda like to claim you before somebody else snatches you away from me,” he whispered in her ear.

“Oh! Oh, yeah.” Turning loose, she stepped back and held out her hand, and Bud slipped the big blue diamond on it. “Oh my god, it’s beautiful.”

“Reminded me of your eyes.” With his hand gripping her chin, he tipped her head back and looked down into her radiant face. “Martina, I love you more than I’ve ever loved anybody in my life. I’m going to promise you now, we’re going to have a good life together. Always.”

“As long as you’re in my life, it’ll be a good life.” She leaned in and kissed him as their family clapped and laughed, but for that little split second in time, it was just the two of them on that dock, their hearts beating as one.

* * *

“Lucky!”Martina screamed and the big dog bounded toward her. She braced herself and threw her arms around Lucky as the dog pressed her big paws into Martina’s chest. “I’ve missed you!” she said as she dodged that giant tongue.

“You guys home?” Mr.Emerson called across the yard.

“Yeah, and thank you so much for looking after everything,” Bud called back.

“You’re welcome. Any time. That’s a good dog. She minds good and she didn’t poop in the house,” he yelled across, and Bud laughed.

Lucky dropped to all fours and Martina took off across the yard. “Prissy! Cissy! Pete! We’re home!” To Bud’s amazement, the first of the three horses to head toward them was Pete, and he seemed overjoyed to see them. Something in the little horse had changed. Gone was the abused, scared animal he’d rescued, and in its place was a confident little gelding who ran back and forth at the fence, waiting for someone to pet him.

When they got inside, he opened the refrigerator, hoping for a beer that didn’t cost him fifteen dollars like the ones on the cruise ship had. Inside was a casserole dish with a note.

Thought you might be too tired to cook, so enjoy this. It’s Valjean’s specialty. Looking forward to seeing you at work. Len

Bud mentally crossed his fingers and peeked under the foil. Yes! Valjean’s lasagna! It was legendary at the post. He’d asked Len to come by and check on the place during the two weeks they were gone, but he’d never expected anything like that, and he made a mental note to have the Travises over for dinner one night.

They got the washer and dryer going with dirty clothes and dressed for bed. By the time Bud turned off the light, they were both so exhausted they could hardly move. Lying there in the darkness, Martina scooted up against him and he wrapped an arm around her. “Thank you for making me the happiest woman in the world. That was so special, Albert. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”

“Yeah, it was a lot of fun, huh? We’ll have to do it again. I really did surprise you, didn’t I?”

“You did! And did a good job of it, I might add.” She was quiet for a minute before she asked, “Albert?”

“Hmmm?”

“Do you think Renita would be happy for us?”

“IknowRenita would be happy for us.”

She nodded against him. In a minute or two, she asked, “Albert?”

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