After getting to know George well, she had finally decided to ask him for help for her family that evening at dinner. The house he owned was absolutely huge, no doubt. There was room for at least a half dozen children.
She was nervous to talk to him about it, but she had come to know him as not just a good businessman but also a kind gentleman. He had asked her to stay for a month to make sure it was what she wanted. He’d given her the option of working in the restaurant or just being at home all the time. Since there was a maid and cook, she had very little she needed to do for him there.
So she had chosen to work in the restaurant so that she wouldn’t be bored. She noticed George came around the restaurant quite often during the day and had one time even pulled up his shirt sleeves to help cook food in the kitchen.
She thought about the discussion she needed to have with him the entire day. She rehearsed what she wanted to say over and over. Her heart beat hard in nervousness and excitement. She was nervous he would think it was the only reason she had come, which it actually was. She didn’t want him to think badly of her. But she had worked hard to show him that she was a good woman and would do what she was required from him willingly. Over time, she felt her feelings growing for him. She was glad of that because it would make being married to him easier.
A knock at the door brought her attention away from her thoughts. She had been getting ready for her date with her soon-to-be husband and was staring in the mirror.
“Come in!” She called softly.
The door opened and George stood there. He gazed at her and smiled.
“You look lovely, Caroline.”
She smiled and blushed. “Thank you, George.”
“Are you ready to go?”
“I am.”
She turned off the lamp beside her and walked to the door, noticing how his body was outlined by the light behind him. It made her heart skip a beat and she knew she was done for in this situation. He had her heart. Hopefully, he wouldn’t think badly of her when she needed to ask her favor.
He took her hand and led her down the stairs to the ground floor. She reached for her long sweater, but he stopped her hand.
“You won’t need that,” He said.
“But it’s chilly out, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “Yes, it’s cool. Regardless, dear, you won’t need it.”
She gazed at him for a moment in confusion. “O…okay, George. Where are we going?”
He didn’t respond. He took her hand and began to walk through the house toward the back. She lifted her eyebrows and went with him.
They walked through the hallway and to the kitchen. He took her through the rest of the house and pushed open the back door to the yard. He stepped back to let her through first. Her eyes opened wide when she stepped out into an unrecognizable yard. There were pretty colored lanterns hung all around, with beautiful colored paper strung around the roof.
A small table had been set in the middle of the porch area. Two long candles had been placed in front of each plate. They glowed softly. There were two plates, wine glasses with red wine in them and a covered plate in the middle of the table.
Caroline’s heart melted. She couldn’t help it when her mouth fell open and she gasped.
“Oh, my!” She breathed. “This is so beautiful, George. Oh, George!” She looked at him with misty eyes. It was obvious that he had the same feelings she had. She sighed and went to the table to look closer at its beauty. She sat when he pulled the chair out and scooted forward to sit comfortably.
He sat across from her.
“Before we have dinner, we need to talk. I would like to ask you something.”
She was surprised when the words came out of his mouth that she’d had every intention of saying herself.
“You would?” She asked.
“Yes.”
She pressed her lips together. “I also have something I want to ask you.”
“Who will go first?”
She smiled. “You can.”
“Okay.” He put out his hand and held it flat on the table. She placed her hand in his. “I have come to the decision that asking for a bride through the mail was the best thing I could have done. I believe that God has brought you to me. I am impressed with you as a woman and a person. You are a beautiful lady. I’m glad you’re here with me. I hope you are planning to stay. How has it gone for you? Do you like it?”
She nodded vigorously. “Oh yes! I am extremely happy here.”
“Do you miss your family and Virginia?”
She tilted her head and gave him a smile. “I do, of course. But I don’t mind it as much as I thought I would. I will write to them. And perhaps someday we can visit them.”
“We can definitely do that.” He nodded and his smile betrayed how happy he was that she was pleased to stay.
“I believe it is not very hard to fall in love with a woman like you,” He said, his deep voice soft. She sighed quietly.
“I feel the same about you,” She whispered, her cheeks red.
He was quiet for a moment, looking at her. “I have something for you.”