The Promise of Change

Chapter 17


The kitchen was crowded with Ann, Becca, Sarah’s nieces, Eliza and Kate, and Sarah putting together the final preparations for Thanksgiving Dinner. Ann’s kids, Michael and Lily, were out in the garden competing to see who could name the most bird species that visited the feeders.

“If ya’ll don’t pipe down, you won’t be identifying any birds, because you’ll scare ‘em all off,” Ann scolded from the open window.

The men lounged on the sofas, watching an NFL game, trying to explain the rules to Alex. “Aw, come on. What kind of call was that? He stepped out of bounds,” Rob grumbled at the television.

“College football is much more exciting,” Mark said. “Next year we’ll take you to a Gator game. Now that’s football.”

Sarah caught ‘next year’ and looked up at Alex, a little worried about Mark’s assumption. Alex looked up at the same time, with a mysterious smile.

“Sarah, where’s the cranberry chutney?” Becca interrupted their interaction.

“It’s in the blue bowl, top shelf.”

Sarah frowned as she watched Alex and the Admiral walk in the direction of her office, but the task of preparing the meal soon distracted her.

Alex and the Admiral sat in the relative quiet of Sarah’s office, sounds from the kitchen and the football game, accompanied by the occasional whoop from the other men, providing the background noise.

“Sir, thank you for interrupting your game to speak with me,” Alex said, licking his lips and wiping his palms against his slacks.

The Admiral stretched out his legs, crossing them at the ankles, arms behind his head, enjoying the Earl’s obvious discomfiture. He supposed that when it comes to asking a father for his daughter’s hand in marriage, every man puts his pants on the same way, titled gentleman or blue collar worker.

And there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that was the purpose of this private meeting. A charming, out-dated ritual he’d never expected to participate in.

“Tell me what’s on your mind, son.”

“I love your daughter, sir.”

“Yes. I can see that.”

“And, well, I would like your permission to ask for her hand in marriage.”

The Admiral hesitated, letting Alex squirm. “I see. And do you have reason to believe that she’ll accept you?” Why not make the man work for it? Didn’t his daughter deserve a man who’d love her, fight for her, respect her?

“I believe so. I hope so, because I can’t live without her.” He gave the Admiral a hesitant smile.

“You know, son, home is important to Sarah.”

“Yes, sir. I’ve seen her interaction with her family and her friends. They are all very dear to her.”

“We moved so many times early in my career that I lost count. My girl craves roots, stability.”

“I’ve given that a great deal of thought, and if she wants to stay here, I’ll stay with her. Pass my title to my brother.”

“What?” Sarah stood frozen in the doorway. She clutched her hands to her stomach.

Alex wasn’t sure how much she’d heard, but it was clear from her face that she’d heard the last thing he’d said.

“No.” She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

Was she saying no to his marriage proposal? His heart dropped to his feet as he stood up. “Sarah–”

“Look, I don’t know the totality of your conversation, but I do know that I would never let you give up your title for me.”

She closed the gap between them. “The day we rode the grounds of Rutherford I saw the love you have for the land, for the people who still make their livelihoods there. I also saw the pride. You may not flaunt your title, but you carry it, and the burdens it entails, with an honor and dignity that I know would make your father proud. Rutherford is part of you, and you it. I could never take that away from you. That’s a deal-breaker.”

The Admiral walked over and kissed his daughter on the forehead. “Well, son,” he said with a smile at Alex, “There you have it.”

“Dinner is served,” Sarah announced to the group.

“Oh boy.” Rob stood up and rubbed his stomach. “I’ve been saving up all week for this. Alex,”—he put his arm on Alex’s shoulder—“you’re in for a treat. Sarah is the best cook I know. Er, sorry, honey, you’re a good cook, too.” Rob stammered in the face of Ann’s irritation.

“You better eat up. This may be the last meal you get for some time.” Ann smacked him with the dishtowel she held.

Everyone chuckled as Rob released Alex to wrap his arm around Ann’s waist and place a repentant kiss on her cheek.

The mild, sunny Florida fall day was picture perfect. Taking advantage of both the weather, and the needed space, they dined al fresco on the back patio, where there was room to line up two long tables and enough chairs to accommodate the large group, not to mention the abundant food.

Once they were seated at the table, and the food was being passed around among murmurs of appreciation, Sarah glanced at Alex in his seat at the head of the table. He was relaxed, appearing to enjoy himself surrounded by those dear to her.

She heaved a sigh of relief, both because her family and friends welcomed him, and because he fit right in as if he’d always been part of her life.

The discussion in the library ended with his solemn promise that he would not step down as Earl unless and until he believed he no longer wished to retain the title.

The feeling of bliss that returned was complete, no more doubts. Everything was perfect. As she looked around the table at her dear friends, dearer family, and dearest Alex, she realized George Sand, and Lady Clara, had been right. ‘There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.’

The Admiral raised his glass for a toast. “To my circle of friends, which now boasts our newest member, Alex, and to my dear family, Happy Thanksgiving.” The adults raised their wine glasses, while the kids raised their iced tea glasses.

The quiet that descended as everyone dug in was only interrupted by the occasional compliment on the fare. Sarah gave credit where credit was due, telling everyone that Alex had a hand in the meal’s preparation. Ann and Becca were suitably impressed, while Rob and Mark appeared chagrined at the looks from their wives.

Everyone lingered over dessert, simply enjoying the food, the company, and the soft afternoon. The sun began to set, filtering through the trees and casting shadows across the garden.

As the sun dropped behind the trees, it grew chilly. Sarah shivered a little and rubbed her arms, not wanting to get up and break the spell of this most perfect Thanksgiving.

Alex excused himself and rose from the table, caressing Sarah’s shoulder as he passed. As any good actor knew, timing was essential to any memorable scene, and he wanted this scene to be memorable. The timing couldn’t get any more perfect.

He returned a few minutes later with one of Sarah’s sweaters, wrapping it around her shoulders. Becca raised her eyebrow at Sarah, again impressed. Sarah smiled at her and shrugged her shoulder imperceptibly.

“Could I have everyone’s attention?” Alex stood behind his chair. “First, I want to sincerely thank you for opening your hearts to me and for making me feel like a welcome addition to your group. It means more than you know.”

“Second, I want to thank Sarah for this bountiful meal in this tranquil setting, and for giving me the happiest five months of my life.” He came to stand next to her.

Sarah looked at him askance, expecting him to lean over for a kiss.

“Which brings me to what I hope will be the day’s grand finale.” Taking her left hand in his, he knelt to the ground.

While there was a collective gasp from those around the table, Sarah’s breath halted in her throat as Alex reached into his shirt pocket, pulling out a ring. She vaguely heard Michael whisper, “Mom, what’s Alex doing?” and Ann’s “shhh” in response.

“Sweet, Sarah. ‘When I saw you, I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.’ I didn’t realize it, but I’d been waiting my whole life for you. And now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go. Marry me?”

Sarah felt a jumble of sensations at once: elation, fear, shock, even embarrassment, because everyone was looking at her, holding their breath, waiting for her answer, especially Alex.

All of these emotions passed in a split second, but the one that passed the quickest was fear. She cut her eyes to her father. He beamed, tears sparkling in his eyes.

Sarah inhaled slowly. “Alex, I never thought it was possible to be this happy, but you’ve shown me so many astonishing possibilities that I don’t know why I should be surprised by that one. Yes, I will marry you,” she whispered. “Yes!”

An elated, and relieved, Alex slid the ring onto her finger, kissing it before releasing her hand and pulling her to her feet for a tender kiss.

Everyone erupted into applause, and promptly formed a group hug around the two of them.

“This calls for a toast,” Rob said as he headed for the kitchen. “I thought I saw some champagne in the fridge . . .”

Michael came up and asked Alex if he had to call him Lord Rutherford. Lily exclaimed that she couldn’t wait to tell her friends that she had not only a real-life earl, but a movie star in her family now.

Kate and Eliza were very grown-up in their congratulations to Sarah, a little shy in their congratulations to Alex. Mark slapped Alex on the shoulder and shook his hand. The Admiral proudly stood back and watched the whole scene as if he had orchestrated it.

Ann and Becca cried when they hugged Sarah, before asking to see the ring, a gorgeous oval amethyst set in platinum, flanked by two diamond trillions.

“Get you! A countess!” Ann curtseyed, eyes sparkling.

A nervous flutter briefly unsettled her at that thought, but she extinguished it just as quickly as it came.

“That has to be the most romantic proposal I’ve ever seen,” Ann exclaimed, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, “not that I’ve seen that many . . .”

“Oh honey,” Becca said, “I’m so happy for you both. I’ve never seen you look more contented. He’s good for you, but I’ve no doubt that you’ve each found your soul mate in the other.”

“Yes,” Sarah whispered, looking at Alex’s handsome face amid the rest of her family and friends. “I guess soul mates really do exist.”