Page 49 of Organized Chaos

There was a weightiness to his words that kept her from making light of his confession. Her heart skipped and fell into a thundering pace that roared in her ears. Her mouth dropped open, but no sound came out except for a tiny squeak. Not a protest. Surprise. Amazement.

“Kiss the girl!” Tim shouted from the shore.

All her friends whistled and joined in with Phillip’s friends as they clapped and cheered. Birds cawed a protest and flew overhead.

Sarah ducked automatically, sending the canoe rocking side to side. Water splashed in over the edge and soaked her shoes. “Are you sure?” She motioned at their feet. “This is what being in love with me will be like. Every day. Chaos and unexpected adventures.”

“But there will also be lazy days where we sit and watch it rain.” He stroked her cheek and gave her a lopsided grin. “I don’t expect our lives to be perfect. I expect them to be full of life and love and laughter. We balance each other. And we’ll probably drive each other up the wall.”

“Or through a floor,” she quipped.

His deep, rumbling laughter spilled out. “That’s possible too.” He sobered. “But I want to do all those things with you. I want to experience all of life with you by my side.”

She flung her arms around his neck. “Good. Because I love you too.”

The canoe tipped, spilling them both into the water.

Cold invaded her entire body as water closed over her head.

Phillip came up spluttering and laughing while wiping a hand over his face. “Can’t say that was a surprise.”

She blinked water from her eyelashes and helped him flip the canoe back over. “Expect the unexpected and you’ll be fine.”

They treaded water alongside the canoe until Sarah’s teeth started to chatter and Phillip’s lips turned blue.

“Maybe we find a warmer activity until spring.” Sarah pulled herself into the canoe and held out a hand for Phillip.

He hauled himself in beside her and took up the paddle before it floated away. He fingered his pocket and a look of relief passed over his face.

An instant later, he held out a small velvet pouch. “When we were stuck in that cellar together, I couldn’t wait to get out. It wasn’t until later that I realized I’d been stuck in the dark a long time before then. I was going through life, going through the motions of living. But I wasn’t truly alive.” He pulled a ring from the pouch. “God led you into my life, and I’ve discovered I never want to let you go.”

Sarah sucked in a gasp. He lifted the ring toward her. Soft sunlight bounced off the square diamonds and glittered on the silver band.

“Sarah Pierce, I love you and I want you to be my wife.” His words were a soft caress that lingered and thrilled.

It struck her speechless. Was he sure? They’d only known each other for a little while. She loved him. She was sure of that. But this felt like a huge step. The hilarity of their reversed roles made her giggle, then laugh outright. She held out her hand. “Being your wife is the best adventure I can think of.”

He slid the ring over her knuckle and pressed his lips to hers.

She fell into him, knowing with all her heart that this was the right thing. God had indeed brought them together. She wasready for a happily ever after. One that would surely come with obstacles. She trusted Phillip to face those obstacles alongside her with humor and affection.

Sunlight sparkledon the lake and painted her friends and family in a golden light. She’d fallen through a floor and found happily ever after like Alice falling into Wonderland. It was a wild and uncanny experience.

Phillip pulled back, his beautiful smile making her forget the chill in the air and the water dripping from her clothes. They could stay right here, like this, forever, and she wouldn’t mind a bit.

“We should head back.” Phillip reached for the paddle.

Sarah cleared her throat and patted his arm. “Phillip. Phillip. Phillip. When will you realize that it’s not going to be as easy as that?” She pointed out over the water, where her paddle floated out of reach. Her ring caught the light and drew out a smile. “Our adventures are going to be legendary.”

Phillip stuck his paddle in the water on one side of the canoe and then on the other. Through careful maneuvering, he inched them toward her waiting paddle.

A fish leaped into the air and landed inside the canoe.

Sarah laughed so hard she lost her breath.

Phillip glanced back and his eyes widened.

“Like I said.” Sarah picked up the fish and lowered him back into the water. “Legendary.”

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