“Annie May, a friend of mine, Dellah, is coming in to take over the place for a while, I thought you and I could go out for a walk. You need some fresh air, and I could do with some exercise. Get your boots on child, let’s go. Daylight’s wasting away!”

Annie May wasn’t sure she was up to a hike today but followed her Nan out of the door anyway. She wasn’t really paying attention to where they were going, some of her wonder and joy for the countryside lost with the heartache she felt. She just put one foot in front of the other, trudging over rocks and through mud until Ruby finally stopped by a tree.

“Oh, Nan, where have you brought me too?” She asked as she finally looked around.

“I’m guessing this is the tree where Daniel threw those frogs at you?” Her Nan asked, looking inquisitive.

“Yes, we came here a few weeks ago, laughing about it all. If I’d only known how it was going to turn out. Why did you bring me here, Nan?” She asked.

“Because you need somebody to wake you up and make you see sense. Daniel wasn’t ever with that woman. I’ve known him a long time and I’ve never seen him with her once in my life. The Daniel I know would never abuse a woman’s affections in this way, he’s far too kind. That’s why I set up that meeting with you two. I knew you were coming, and he’d just installed that interwebs stuff, and I went in and changed the cables around while he was busy the day before you came, hoping I could send you down to sort it. I’d never have done that if I’d have thought he wasn’t a decent bloke. Now, look at me, don’t you turn your back to me, girl!”

Annie May turned back around, not really angry but upset. She wouldn’t look Ruby in the eye, though, not yet.

“Now look, I’m only doing this for your own good. You’re so caught up on how tall you are, on not looking like some dainty little princess that you’re doing yourself harm. You’re denying yourself happiness, and I’m not having it anymore! This will stop. Daniel, bring yourself out here please.”

Annie May spun around, shocked to find Daniel coming out from behind the tree.

“Now Annie May you’re going to listen to what the young man has to say. Stop shaking your head and listen for once, will you? I know you’re a smart girl, but sometimes you can be a total spanner, do you know that? Now hush.” Ruby stopped talking and walked off, leaving Daniel and Annie May alone.

“Annie May, I am so sorry, but you wouldn’t let me explain. Your grandmother hatched this plan too. I never had anything to do with Piper, Annie May, I swear to you. The woman has had an obsession with me for years now. Every so often she pops up, causes me some grief, and then disappears again. This time it’s worse than usual. I called her father to come and get her, and she’s gone now.”

“But what about the baby?” Annie May asked, still clinging to her anger.

“There is no baby, she was never pregnant! She got the picture off the Internet. Your Nan said there wasn’t even a hospital name on it, and usually there is one. Not even the mother’s name, nothing, just a scan.”

“OH!” Annie May said, reality starting to dawn on her. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about how very stupid she’d been. She’d been so desperate to believe he could never love her that she’d painted Daniel out to be the villain, and he’d never been any such thing!

“Oh my, Daniel, oh, I’m so sorry!” She threw herself into his arms then, sobs wracking her throat. “We’ve wasted so much time now! I’ve wasted so much time!”

Pushing Annie May slightly away from him, Daniel stepped back, pulling a box out of his pocket. Annie May’s eyes grew wide, shock settling in. He was not! He was not!

“Annie May, I bought this, hoping I could ask you to marry me, but I think we need more time than that, now. You need to trust me, and we both have to get over the damage Piper has caused. But, I want you to wear this ring, as a promise, as a reminder, that no matter what, I love you and I will never, ever, throw frogs at you again!” He laughed at the end, relief in his voice.

“Oh, Daniel! Of course I’ll wear it. Yes, I believe it’s far too soon to be talking marriage but I will wear this ring. Every day of my life, I’ll wear it.” Looking down as he placed it on her finger, she giggled. She actually giggled.

The ring was adorned with a silver frog, its spots done in diamonds and emeralds with two black onyxes as eyes. The ring made her smile because she knew the promise it meant, the memories it represented, and the special meaning it had.

“I love you too, Daniel. I’m so sorry for being pig-headed and doubting you. I wish I’d had a little more faith in myself now.”

“You’ll get there, my dear, with a little love and pushing from me; you’ll get there.”