Meredith

It’s not that I don’t enjoy talking to Gabe on the phone. It’s become our nightly thing. Most nights we talk until he starts to doze on me. One night he fell fully asleep. I had to just wish him sweet dreams and hang up. But this conversation is different. He’s super excited about something, but he won’t tell me what it is. He keeps dodging the question, telling me it’s nothing. Nothing my butt, mister. My radar is going crazy, and I know the man is up to something. I feel it in my gut.

“Yes, Gabe. Alright, I give. Yes, I suppose—but you are taking your life in your hands by coming here. Okay, if you insist, fine. I’ll be ready when you get here. But you have to promise to stay in the driveway. I mean it, that’s non-negotiable. Yes, I will be dressed up, but not too fancy. I’m looking forward to seeing you too. Okay now stop, you’re being weird.” I roll my eyes. “Yes, in a cute way. Alright, I’ll see you soon. I love you too. Byyye.” I lay my phone down on the bedside table and replay the conversation. His excitement has me excited too, but also nervous. I don’t typically like surprises, and given the way he’s acting, he’s planning something—I know it. It’s the what’s and the why’s I don’t have a clue about.

And more important, what the hell does a woman wear to be dressed up, but not too fancy? I’m not even sure I know what that means, seeing as he gave precisely zero hints about where we’re going or what we’ll be doing. And why was he so adamant that he picks me up here, knowing full well Daddy’s home?

Stop worrying, everything will be fine, as long as he stays in the truck and I get my tush out the door before Dad knows anything about it. I swear that man has had it out for Gabe since we were teenagers, and I don’t imagine knowing Gabe is the father has done much to change his mind.

I have no information to guide my outfit selection, so I settle on a scallop-hemmed, navy, A-line skirt that hugs my hips in just the right way, but is relaxed enough to hopefully not come across as too formal. That is, assuming formal and fancy mean the same thing. I’ve only ever worn it for work, but the way I see it, I might as well get some mileage out of it, while I still can. Who knows if I’ll ever be this size again. The allure of dressing up has me feeling a little spicy, so I choose a tight fitting, off the shoulder, white body suit for a top.

I’ve showered, shaved—with extra attention given to the bikini line—styled my hair, and finished my makeup. Not bad, all things considered. I stand in front of the full-length mirror, looking myself over from every conceivable angle and second guessing what I see. That is, until I hear two taps from a horn outside. Can it be that time already? I glance at the clock. Aww hell.

I mumble to myself, “Why did you honk? A text would have sufficed.” Do you want Daddy’s special kind of attention? You adorable goof. I swipe my phone from the table, grab my flats off the floor, and turn back for a final check in the mirror before shutting off the light and bustling down the stairs to yell my goodbye’s and don’t wait up’s as I rush out the door.

I stop on the porch, drop my shoes to the ground, and slip my feet mostly into them before running across the coarse gravel driveway. I can’t help feeling like a kid. Like I’m sneaking out right under my parents’ noses. It’s exhilarating, and liberating, and slightly terrifying, all at the same time. Gabe leans across the seat and pushes open the passenger door with a don’t-ask-what-I’ve-been-up-to smile on his face. I jump in the truck and order him to punch it, as I’m certain my father will charge out of the house with his shotgun in a matter of seconds.

But Gabe doesn’t heed my instruction. He doesn’t appear the slightest bit concerned that he’s in enemy territory. No, he simply leans a little farther over the seat and kisses me, then sits upright behind the wheel, fastens his seatbelt, and calmly shifts the truck into gear.

His calm disposition has me confused. “What's gotten into you today?”

Gabe stops at the end of the driveway and looks at me. “Hmm. Now that you’re here with me, everything feels right with the world. Why?”

“Um. Showing up here, do you want my dad to kill you?”

“Who Jim? Nah, I’m not worried about him.”

“Ready to tell me where we’re going, at least?”

Gabe straightens the wheel, then reaches his hand over and places it on mine. “Be patient a little longer. Okay? I want this to be a surprise.”

Ahh, his skin on mine—exactly what I’ve needed. I smile as I cross my arms over my chest. “Clock’s ticking, bub. You know you can only get away with crap like this because you’re so damn hot, don’t you?”

Gabe grins, but otherwise pretends not to hear me. “By the way, Mer—you look amazing tonight. Like, out of this world.”

“Ha. Think you can dig your way out with flattery, do you?” I look out my window to hide my smile.

The way he carries himself, the kindness in his words, the confidence behind his eyes, he always turns me on. But tonight, he's working at an entirely new level. He wears a white collared button down, fitted no less, that’s been carefully pressed, and a pair of dark pleated slacks, also sporting a crisp crease down the legs. Preppy is not his usual style, but it suits him.

It’s only when the sign at the entrance of the reservoir comes into view that I realize where we are. To which, I react in the expected way—by punching Gabe in his shoulder. “Are you serious? Gabe Wilde, if you think for one second you are taking me fishing tonight, you better turn this truck around.”

Gabe holds the wheel steady with one hand while he rubs the sore spot with the other. “Ouch. I thought you come here to clear your head?”

There was so much excitement behind his words earlier, and for what? A lake? “So?”

“So, as far as I know, there’s hardly ever anyone else around. No?”

I relax into the seat a bit. “Okay, supposing that is true. While, it is a lovely evening to sit and watch the birds on the water, why did I have to dress up? I could be wearing a comfy pair of jeans and flip flops. I hardly think the water fowl would complain.”

Gabe bobs his head as he considers my words. “That’s true. I never thought about it like that. I’m sorry, babe. I wanted tonight to be special.” Gabe motions at the wicker basket and blanket on the floorboard of the back seat.

“You made us a picnic!” It doesn’t explain the need for the us to be dressed up, but it shows he’s put real thought into the evening and that there may just be more to this surprise than I know.

“That was the idea—but if you’d rather bail and go someplace else, I don’t mind. Tonight, is all about you.” Gabe stops the truck in the middle of the dirt road and twists in his seat to face me. “I want this evening to be perfect, Doll. Whatever that means to you. Just say the word and we’ll do it.” Gabe pulls my hand to his mouth and deposits several kisses on top.

I’m tempted to tell him my perfect evening is a last-minute flight to Paris and a five-star hotel when we arrive, but I’m not entirely sure the man wouldn’t drop everything and do it. “You are pulling out all your best moves, aren’t you, big guy?”

Gabe’s eyes sparkle. “No moves, beautiful. You get the real, authentic me.”

His words melt me. “Alright then, let’s see what else you have in store.”

Gabe grins and shifts the truck back in gear and we continue down the dirt road, kicking up a dust storm as we go. Slowly, we make our way to the northeast side of the reservoir, only, as we approach the turnaround at the end of the road, Gabe doesn’t turn the wheel. Instead, he touches the brakes to slow the truck down but keeps straight, driving us right off the road.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask as we bump up and down in our seats.

“You’ll see. I want to be sure we have privacy.”

Huh? I don’t think I’ve seen another vehicle since, like five minutes before we turned off the road. Anywhere you want to stop—we’ll have privacy.

We roll over a final bump and then, as if by magic, we’re back on a road, of sorts. It’s barely more than two worn tracks in the dirt, but it shows others have dared to do this before.

I’m about to open my mouth and ask just where in the hell he thinks he’s taking me, but before I get the first word out, he stops the truck and kills the engine. “Here we are.” Gabe opens his door and slides down without another word. Two seconds later, the passenger door opens. Gabe stands there, hand extended, waiting to help me down.

I place my hand in his while my foot reaches for the step rail, only it misses the step, and I slide right off the edge of the seat. My attempt to exit like a proper lady is a total fail.

Gabe catches me around the waist and lowers me to the ground. As my feet find purchase, he slides his hands up my back, pulling me close. His lips capture mine, soft and sweet, while his hard body presses against mine.

“What’s gotten into you today?” I ask, breathless.

Gabe winks before retrieving the blanket and basket. “That’s for me to know.” He indicates the sand ahead of us. “You may want to take off your shoes.” He guides me to a lonely tree, set back fifteen or twenty paces from the water’s edge. There’s a footpath leading down to the water, surrounded on either side by cattails. Small ripples lap against the shore. “How’s this, love?” he asks, ready to unfurl the blanket.

I’m taken aback by the picturesque reflection of the late afternoon sun on the water. “It’s perfect.” I smile. “Where did you come up with all of this?”

Gabe spreads the blanket and then drops to his knees, setting out plates and wine glasses from the basket. He looks up with a smile. “Don’t worry, I brought sparkling juice.”

He really has thought of everything, hasn’t he?

Gabe continues explaining as he sets up our picnic spot. “Like I said before, I wanted tonight to be different. Memorable. And let’s face it, if you’re looking for both of those around here, you’ve got to get creative.”

“That’s sweet. But why do you want tonight to be memorable? What’s different about tonight from every other night?” I sit on the blanket, my legs folded by my side, curiosity running wild as I try to crack the code of the evening.

Gabe pauses and stares at the ground before he lets out a sigh. “Okay. I give. But you’re really not making this easy, ya know.”

I recognize the truth of the statement and feel bad for it. I take his hand and bring it to my chest. “I’m sorry. You put a lot of time and thought into this evening. More than I was prepared to give you credit for. So, thank you,” I say, humbled.

Gabe’s smile returns. “No worries, Doll. Now uh, you know how I go by the beat of my own drum, right?”

I roll my eyes. “That’s putting it mildly.”

“Good, then you won’t be surprised by what I packed for us.”

I shake my head. “Oh my. What did you do?”

Gabe reaches into the basket and pulls out a familiar looking pie tin with a protective plastic lid.

“Please tell me that’s dessert and not the main course.”

Gabe shrugs. “What if I said it’s both?”

This is the father of my unborn child?

Heaven help us. All three of us.

“Wait. It’s symbolic,” Gabe says, undeterred by my objection.

I raise my brow. “Symbolic of what?”

“You keep telling me you don’t have a sweet tooth, but…well…I mean, I saw the damage you did to that pecan pie the first time you stayed over.”

My cheeks burn with embarrassment at the thought of him knowing what a glutton I had been. “But…you never said anything. Not one word.”

“Ha. Why would I? You left me a piece.” Gabe snickers. “A small one, but still. Anyway, I thought, since we both like it so well, it would be fitting for tonight.”

“Okay?” I look him up and down with a suspicious eye. “Am I missing some vital piece of information which would help all of this make sense?”

“Alright, I was going to wait until after, but…” Gabe shifts, turning his body from me while he digs at the front pocket of his slacks. When he turns back, he pulls one leg up and places his foot in front of him, leaving him on one knee. “Meredith.” Gabe pauses, as he carefully chooses his next words. “I love you. I want to share every moment of my life with you.” He extends his closed hand, still concealing what’s inside.

Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.

“I promise to devote each day to making you happy if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife. Will you marry me?” Gabe opens his hand and reveals a breathtaking blue sapphire solitaire.

“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh. My. God.”

Gabe looks at me with a vulnerability I haven’t seen in him before. “Is that a yes?” he asks, nervously fidgeting on the blanket.

“Yes!” I scream as I thrust out my left hand and wiggle my ring finger. “Put it on, put it on, put it on.”

Gabe slides the thin white band over my knuckle and tears burst free, streaming down my face. I am shocked, excited, and consumed with love for this man. All at the same time. Gabe laughs as he wipes a tear from his cheek. “My plan was to place it in the top of your pie. But it looks like it worked out fine, all the same.”

“I’m sorry I punched you for bringing me here. I’m sorry I didn’t trust your plan. I’m sorry for ever doubting you. I…I don’t know what else to say.” I throw my arms around his neck and pull him in to me. “I love you, Gabriel Wilde.”

Gabe pulls his head back and looks deep into my eyes. “I love you too, Meredith Still. I always have, and I promise you, Doll—I always will. You are the one for me and I want the world to know it, now and forever.”