Hope by Peggy McKenzie

Author:Peggy McKenzie [McKenzie, Peggy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Columbine Publishing Company
Published: 2019-04-25T05:00:00+00:00

12

“A toast,” someone called out from the crowd. Hands grabbed her and Billy and helped them to stand. Billy placed his arm around her cake covered waist and he was grinning like an idiot. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

“Who’s gonna make a toast?” Someone else called out from the crowd.

“I shall do the honors.” Hope saw Hiram raise his glass high. Everyone followed his lead. “To Hope and Billy. May you live a long and happy life. May you both find happiness and contentment in each other. And, may you each realize the dreams of your heart.”

“Here, here,” everyone called out in unison. The clattering of applause filled the hall.

“Speech. Speech,” John called out to Billy.

Billy turned to her and took both of her hands in his. She stood speechless in the middle of the dance floor, covered in cake and in total shock. Hope fought back her emotions. She knew she was deeply in love with this man, but did that mean she should marry him?

She stood motionless while her mind raced for answers before the applause died away. They would be expecting her to answer Billy’s proposal of marriage. What was she going to say?

Glancing around the room, she searched for her sisters. Grace was standing next to her husband, John. Faith and Liam had come to stand next to Grace and John. Hiram and Aggie were in front of the two couples. They had all managed to overcome their own personal doubts about each other to find marital bliss, but could she find that with Billy?

Billy’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Hope, I will honor you as my wife and the mother of our children. I will work hard to provide for you and our family. I know our children will have the best mother any kid could ever want. That’s important to both of us considering where we came from. God knows you are gonna have your hands full when I get that cabin built up on the mountain. I’m hopeful we’ll start having kids right away, that is as soon as you are agreeable, of course.”

Hope’s ears burned with embarrassment. All this talk of children and moving up into the mountains. They hadn’t really talked about this sort of thing. She knew that’s what Billy wanted. But what about what she wanted? Why would Billy just assume she was willing to give up her job? Besides, she didn’t know if marrying Billy was the right decision.

“Billy, can I talk to you? In private?” she whispered to him, hoping to prevent this from becoming a most embarrassing spectacle.

“Ain’t no need to hide from these people, Hope. They are our friends and family. They are here to celebrate this special day with us. Say whatcha got to say in front of everyone.” Billy was grinning from ear to ear as if he were the happiest man on earth.

“I think maybe we should talk about some of these things in private.” Hope tried to leave

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