“You have to see the beach at sunset. I know sunsets are beautiful on the farm and all. Once you see the sunset over the lake, you will never be the same.”

Kate rolled her eyes. “Really Sam?”

“Really. It’s pinks and oranges and yellows, and the colors melt into the water.”

“You’re exaggerating. But I’ll still go along with it.” Sam tended to make things more colorful than the way other people saw them. It made for great storytelling at parent gatherings. However, people learned to take what he said with a grain of salt. The shred of truth in there was enough to consider what Sam said, but not enough to get emotionally attached.

Kate and Sam sat side by side with a beer in their hands. She closed her eyes, making the most of the breeze coming in from the lake. “In this quiet, it feels like I don’t have a trouble in the world. No farm equipment to fix, plenty of water around and...” The sound of a plane flying overhead interrupted her quiet. She searched for the source of the sound and saw the plane towing a banner sign. Forgetting what she was talking about before the interruption Kate said, “I haven’t seen one of those in forever.”

Sam put his hand over his eyes and leaned forward to focus. He said, “Hmmm, I wonder what it says.”

She dismissed any interest in the plane saying, “It probably says something about the cherry festival.”

“No, it says,” he spoke the words slowly as they came into focus, “Marry me, Kate xoxo Sam.” At first, it didn’t register to Sam what he read aloud. But when it did he grimaced in preparation of the joking Kate was sure to inflict upon him.

Kate sat straight and looked up to read the message. It was exactly what Sam read to her. She said, “I thought you were joking. I’ve heard about people getting engaged as friends, but I never thought I would be in that kind of a situation. I need to think about this.”

Sam, struck speechless, surveyed the landscape around him, hoping to find the other Sam and Kate. Maybe when his Kate saw the other couple who were probably happily engaged, she’d realize the misunderstanding, and it would be something they could laugh about. He’d thank her for being gracious, and she’d call him a fool, and they’d both agree that this would be a good story to tell in the years to come.

“Oh, don’t take it personally. Marriage is a big decision, especially when I didn’t know it was on the table.

Sam searched the area around them. There were no other people? This is not good. Not good at all.

“The kids are in town watching a movie. They won’t be back until at least 10 o’clock. And, that’s if they don’t stop for ice cream or something like that on the way back.” She paused and looked around too, “Or do you have someone filming this?”

Slowly, his voice returned to him. He croaked, “Uhm, no, I don’t have anyone filming this.” He gulped his beer and swiftly opened another.

“That is so romantic!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t know you could even think that way.” 

Rather than say something and stick his foot in his mouth, Sam took another drink of beer. It was empty. He shook the can and turned it upside down. “Wow, I must have been thirsty.” Relieved because he found a valid excuse to depart the area, his confidence returned. “It might be better if I head back to the cabins and drink some water.”

Kate held up her reusable water bottle. “If you want you can drink some of mine. I don’t go anywhere without water.”

“That’s real kind of you, but I think I’ll probably need to use the facilities in a bit here. It’s better if I head in.” He stood to leave. “I don’t want to rush you. Are you alright to bring in the blanket?”

Noticing the abrupt change in tone, Kate wilted. Her forced smile hid some of the disappointment, but not all of it. “Oh, yeah sure. I can bring it in. You don’t want me to go in with you?”

He turned to leave and intentionally walked slowly up the incline toward the cabin. “Nah, I’m a big boy, I think I can handle it myself.” When he thought he was a safe enough distance to hide the obvious, his pace quickened, and the course diverted to the direction of the tavern that was walking distance from the cabin.

“How the heck am I going to get out of this one?” he asked himself.