Page 114 of Off the Rails
“Yes.”
“Where will we get married?”
“Here, at the chapel in Mezcala.”
“And after that, you’ll come with me to the U.S., or wherever my next assignment is?”
“Yes,” she said, decisive.
“I can handle that.”
“What about your boss? Will he disapprove?”
“I don’t think he’d care if I married you this week, let alone two years from now. I already signed an employment contract.”
She twined her arms around his neck. “I love you.”
He wanted to do this right, so he got down on one knee and removed the box from his pocket. The ring inside wasn’t anything fancy. It was made in the 1920s, with an unusual setting of silver petals around a modest diamond. There was a leaf symbol engraved in a simple platinum band. He liked the earth-angel vibe of the piece.
Maria took the ring out of the box. “It’s beautiful,” she said in a hushed voice.
“It’s vintage.”
“What does that mean?”
“Used.”
She wiggled her fingers to make the diamond sparkle in the sun. “I love it.”
He stood, drawing her into his arms again. “I love you,mariposa.”
“I love you too.”
“Say it in Spanish.”
“Yo también te amo. Para siempre.”
“Para siempre,”he repeated, covering her mouth with his. Sealing it with a kiss. Promising to love her, always and forever.
