I Do (2 page)

“Of course,” I told him. “I'd love to.”

So he said he'd pick me up at six.

“You guys have a good time tonight,” Beanie said when I dropped her off at her mom's place. Since Beanie's dad left when she was a baby, it's so cool that her mom finally found and married a great guy. And they have a house that's so much nicer than where they used to live. I know Beanie appreciates it when she comes home to visit.

“Thanks,” I told Beanie, but something about her expression made me wonder. It's like she had this secret joke going on. Okay, maybe I realize this more in retrospect. You know, that old twenty-twenty hindsight kind of thing.

But I do think I started getting a bit suspicious when Josh picked me up. I had already changed into jeans and a sweater (okay, they were cute jeans and a nice sweater), but Josh had on a sleek-looking sports jacket and a
tie.
Josh hardly ever wears a tie.

“You didn't tell me it was formal,” I said, feeling a little uncomfortable.

“You're fine, Caitlin.”

I tried to suppress my feelings of being underdressed as I admired how handsome he looked. “So are you starting to dress like a pastor all the time now?”

He smiled as he navigated his Jeep Wrangler through traffic. “From what I hear, most pastors can't afford to dress too well.”

“Oh, so you're making the most of it before you're forced to start digging through the missionary barrels then?”

He laughed. “I guess.”

“So, how's it really going, Josh? Do you like your new job as the youth pastor? Chloe and Allie say that you're a natural.”

“I pay them to say that.”

I laughed. “No wonder pastors are so poor.”

Then he turned more serious. “I think my parents are still a little disappointed by my career choice.”

“Really? But I'd think with all that's happened with Chloe… I mean, doesn't that make them more appreciative of ministry related jobs?”

He shrugged. “Don't forget that Chloe's ‘ministry’ brings in the big bucks, whereas my parents are fairly sure that I've signed on for a lifetime of poverty.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I guess my parents still feel like that about me too. They usually just change the subject if I mention things like wanting to go down to Mexico to work with the orphanage after I graduate.”

“Same here.”

After that Josh got very quiet-I mean, dead silent-and suddenly I got worried that something was troubling him. Maybe even something serious. Like was he about to tell me he only had six months to live?

Finally the silence was killing me. “Where are we going?” I asked abruptly. We'd already driven past most of the eating areas downtown.

“Someplace special.”

Well, I thought this seemed a little odd, but then I don't spend much time in this town anymore. For all I knew, there might be some new restaurant out this way. But now I really wished I'd worn something nicer. I remember looking down at my feet, at least I had on a new pair of shoes. A really cute pair of Nine Wests that I'd gotten while touring with the girls last summer. It was the first time I'd worn them.

Josh pulled into a parking lot at the park, and with that same funny sort of half smile, he hopped out and opened my door, then began to lead me down one of the dirt paths. The sun was just setting, and the park was pretty soggy from an afternoon rain.

But I decided not to question this strange little escapade. I knew he was up to something, but I still had this horrible feeling that he was about to break some really bad news. As a result, I'm sure that my heart was starting to pound a little harder.

We walked a ways, and Josh managed to make small talk the whole while. I can't even remember what he said-just idle chatter about the weather and time of year kind of thing.

Suddenly we came to a clearing near the water, and it was plain to see that someone was having quite a lovely little picnic down there by the lake. The watery
scene was so beautiful in the dusky blue light. The sun had just set into the trees on the other side of the lake, and there was this amazing white cloth-covered table set with china and silver and lit by a lot of softly glowing votive candles. I could even hear music playing-classical with lots of violins.

“Josh!” I whispered as I grabbed him by the arm. “We can't intrude on this. Let's turn back. It must be a party for-”

“It's for us,” he said with a huge grin.

“For us?” Now I'm sure my mouth must've fallen open just then, because Josh actually started laughing at me.

He nodded. “I had this all set up for us.” Then he went over to the table and pulled out a chair. “Have a seat, mademoiselle.”

So we sat at this sweet, candlelit table next to the lake, and several high school-aged guys that I recognized from church began to politely serve us a lovely dinner-my favorite pesto and linguine, as well as a bunch of other delicious things. Josh confessed that someone else had done the cooking. Kind of a relief, since I'm sure I would've been intimidated to discover that he cooks better than I do.

We were both just starting to loosen up and to actually enjoy this whole crazy thing when I felt a raindrop.

Josh frowned and looked up. “We haven't even had dessert yet.”

“Maybe we can get it to go.”

And then it began to pour. I had a thick cotton
jacket over my sweater, but it was anything but warm and was quickly getting soaked. I didn't even want to consider my new shoes, which had gotten pretty soggy walking through the park. Then Josh hopped up from his chair, and removing his sports coat, he gently placed it over my shoulders. “Let's not go just yet.”

He went down on one knee, right there on the ground that was quickly turning into a puddle, and the next thing I knew, he took my hand in his.

“Caitlin Renee O'Conner,” he said, his face lit by the few candles that had survived the downpour. “I love you with all my heart. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Well, I just lost it. First, I started to cry, then I threw my arms around Josh and hugged him tightly. But here's what I haven't told anyone-during this brief moment in time (a moment I will remember forever), I shot up a prayer, asking God what I was supposed to say. Then feeling certain that God was up there smiling down on us, I emphatically said, “Yes!”

Sigh… It still feels like a dream to me. Well, other than this beautiful diamond ring on my finger. That's a pretty good reminder that it's for real. It turns out that Beanie helped Josh to pick it out. She suggested I'd like a ring that was a classic style, and Josh decided on platinum. And they were both right. It's absolutely perfect, and I totally love it! Of course, Beanie was also in the loop about tonight's dinner plans. I can't believe she kept all this from me.

And finally I am so tired that I can barely keep my eyes open. I'll have to continue the ongoing saga of Josh Miller and Caitlin O'Conner tomorrow.

I was still flying
high the next morning. I got up around eight and had coffee already brewing by the time my parents came into the kitchen. They'd gone to bed before I got home last night. After our damp dinner, Josh and I went out for coffee and dessert, and of course, we ended up talking until very late. So this morning I was preparing myself to break the big news to them. I had no idea how they would react.

“So, what's the word, Catie?” my dad said as he reached for his favorite coffee mug.

“Huh?” I studied his face and wondered if perhaps he knew something about this whole thing.

“How was your, uh, your time with Josh last night?” my mom said quickly, as if she was covering for my dad.

“Interesting …” I glanced from one to the other then suddenly realized that they both knew something.

“What's up? What do you know about last night?”

“Well, uh, Josh came by here last week,” my dad confessed.

“Why?” I watched Dad's expression.

“He just wanted to talk.”

“About?”

“Come on,” said my mom. “What happened last night, Caitlin? Don't keep us in suspense.”

“First, you have to tell me why Josh came by here last week,” I insisted.

Dad made a face like he'd just been caught. “Well, since you seem to know already…The young man wanted to ask us for your hand in marriage. There.”

I suppressed a smile, still not willing to give anything away. “He did, did he?”

“Yes!” my mom exclaimed. But she was looking at me with such an imploring expression that I knew I had to tell her.

I held out my hand to show her the ring. I think the neighbors three doors down could hear her squealing from our kitchen. Then it was hugs all around, and even Benjamin came wandering in, still wearing his PJ bottoms and a T-shirt. “What's wrong?” he asked sleepily. “Why are you screaming down here?”

“Caitlin and Josh are engaged!” announced my mom.

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, is that all?”

“Hey, this is pretty big news,” said Dad.

“News?” Ben just shook his head. “Not to me.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I told him. “You and Chloe Miller. You
both knew it was going to happen.” I grinned at my little brother, who's actually not so little anymore. Ben towers above me and is a junior in high school now. “I can't wait to hear Chloe saying, ‘I told you so.’”

“Congrats anyway,” said Ben. “Josh is a good guy.”

Then the phone rang.

“I'm sure that's for you,” Mom said as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

And she was right. It was Beanie wanting the full low-down. I took the phone to my room and filled her in on all the details.

“And what about the ring?” she said suddenly. “Did you like it?”

“I love it.”

“I'm so happy for you guys.”

“And you know that I want you as my maid of honor, Beanie.”

“Really?”

“Of course! Didn't we promise each other back in middle school?”

“Yes, but I wouldn't hold you to it…”

“Beanie! You're my best friend.”

“And you're mine too, Caitlin. I just know that you have a lot of good friends. Who else are you going to have in the wedding?”

“Good question. Naturally, I'll want Chloe.”

“Oh, yeah. What about Allie and Laura?”

“Well, I love those two, but I was thinking maybe I should ask Jenny, and I wondered about Aunt Steph,
since I was in her wedding. And then there's Anna, and I was even considering Liz.” I sighed. “I guess I better think this thing over. It's not like I want thirteen bridesmaids.”

“That would be some wedding.”

“At least I know for sure who I want standing up next to me, Beanie.”

“Thanks. That means a lot to me.”

Later on this morning, Josh picked me up for church. And once I was in his car, I remember feeling just totally amazed that I was actually sitting next to the man I was going to marry. It's still so incredibly unbelievable.

“How are you doing?” he asked in a somewhat tentative voice, like maybe he was still wondering if last night was for real.

I smiled. “Great. How about you?”

“I feel like I'm having this fantastic dream.” Then he peered at me. “You haven't changed your mind, have you?”

I laughed. “Not hardly!”

“How did your shoes fare?”

I laughed again. “Not so well. But, hey, it was worth it.”

“Guess I should've told you to wear galoshes.”

Then we were at church. And we were barely through the front door when everyone started congratulating us. Between Chloe and Beanie, the big news had spread through the congregation like wildfire. Josh had to head downstairs for the high school group. But I was still getting slaps on the back and showing off my ring and generally having a great time as I went with Beanie
and Aunt Steph to the adult class in the fellowship room behind the sanctuary.

“Tell me everything,” insisted Steph.

“Better make it fast,” Beanie said as the leader started heading for the podium.

And so, I gave Aunt Steph the nutshell version of last night's picnic in the rain. Then we got hushed by Robert Martin (the leader) because the three of us were giggling like thirteen-year-olds.

“I know there's some excitement in the air.” He smiled directly at me. “But some of us would still like to hear today's lesson.” And really, I tried to concentrate on his teaching from Philippians, but I'm afraid I was mostly daydreaming. I'm just glad there wasn't a test afterward.

And then, of course, Pastor Tony insisted that Josh and I stand up in front of the whole congregation during the main service-although I'm sure that everyone probably knew about us by then. But it was fun hearing their applause and hoots of delight. And once again, it made me so glad that we'd waited until the timing was really right. You just can't beat perfect timing.

It was Josh's idea to get our two families together before I went back to school later today. “Sort of an engagement celebration,” he explained to my parents and Ben after church. “I already called my folks, and they want to meet us at Renaldo's around one, if that works for you guys.”

I'm not sure why I felt so anxious about this little
get-together. I mean, I already know Josh's parents, and I really do like them. But I suppose his mom still makes me nervous. It's not that she's not nice; she definitely is. And she's actually a lot nicer than she used to be. I think she likes me, or at least she acts as if she does.

But even so, she's a lot more formal than my mom. She's very into manners and appearances, and she's kind of a perfectionist who always dresses just so, with pearls and matching purses and shoes, and every hair in place. As a result, I feel somewhat inferior around her. I guess I'll have to get over that.

“Caitlin,” she said as she took my hand in hers. “You're looking lovely as usual.”

I smiled. “You are too, Mrs. Miller.

“Oh, you can't keep calling me Mrs. Miller now.” She nodded to her husband. “From now on it's Joy and Stan.”