Page 13 (1/2)

Tears fall down her cheeks as I slip the ring on her finger “Oh Hartley, I do want to marry you”

“I knoasn’t e material before, but that’s only because I hadn’t met my wife”

I stand, pulling her into a hug, kissing her perfect pink lips “God, you’re gorgeous”

She lets out a laugh ht? Mine alone?”

“Forever”

“Then can we find this Pastor Monroe and seal the deal?”

“One step ahead of you, Cookie” I tell her to put on her coat, and then I take her hand I drag her down the street to the gazebo in the center of toherewith the pastor of the local chapel

Mo ear to ear, and Hattie’s face is written in shock The gazebo is lit with Christhts, there are trees decorated all around, and in the distance is the ice skating rink, filled with children laughing as they spin around

“Are you ready to get married?” I ask her

She nods, tears in her eyes “Can I meet your parents first?”

With her hand in mine, I introduce het to Mom and Dad “And this is Hattie My bride”

“Oh, Hattie,” Moood it is to meet you”

Hattie sirl”

“Good,” my dad says “Because Hartley e, Pastor, but he is a softie Always remembers to call his mom and makes it to Sunday dinner every week He can’t be all bad if he does that”

“Okay, enough with all that,” I say, chuckling

“I don’tme all about you After all, I hardly know you”

Moonna need to change that I need your Christmas list, asap!”

“Mo our own Christmases this year?”

Mohter-in-law just a little so”

“I hear you have six new daughters-in-law,” Hattie says “Have you met them all?”