Lilies and Lies Read online

  Gunnar slipped from the truck, ascended the stairs to the second level, thinking along each step of the miracles God had worked in his life. Through all the hurt and the heartache, he’d been remade into something new. The very idea of such a miracle lightened his walk as he rounded a corner and found Maddie there, waiting for him. She caught sight of the blooms in his arms, gasped.

  “Oh, Gunnar…are those for me?”

  “Only you.”

  “They’re beautiful and my favorite.” Maddie stepped forward and took the bouquet, buried her face in the fragrant blooms. “I love them.”

  “And I love you, Maddie. Those flowers are only the beginning. I’d like to make this a habit…bringing you Stargazers on Fridays…and any other day of the week that you’d like. What do you think?”

  “I think I like that idea very much.” She leaned in, the bouquet wedged between them, to kiss him. “And I love you, Gunnar Holt.”

  “In that case…” He took the flowers, set them on the balcony ledge so he could give her a proper kiss as he drew a small, velvet box from his pocket. “I’ve been doing a little research, and I learned that Stargazers symbolize devotion. That’s how I feel when I’m with you, Maddie—completely devoted. And I’m pretty sure I’m carrying the final piece of the puzzle…at least for the first part of this journey—our part.”

  He lifted the lid of the box and a diamond tucked against the sleek, black velvet caught the last rays of sunshine.

  Maddie glanced down as the light caught her eye. Her hands flew to cover a gasp of surprise. “Gunnar…oh, oh, oh!”

  “I can’t promise to be perfect, but I promise to love you for the rest of my life, through each and every puzzle piece that life tosses our way. Will you marry me, Maddie?”

  “Oh, Gunnar…” Maddie glanced over at the bouquet of Stargazers nestled on the rail and her eyes filled with tears of joy. She nodded as those tears spilled over to blaze trails down her cheeks. “I can’t promise I’ll never plow through the walls of your shop—”

  “Our shop.”

  “Our shop ever again, but I’ll do my best, each and every day, to stay between the double-yellow lines along the boulevard. So, with every piece of my heart…yes. I’ll marry you.”

  Gunnar took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger, sealing their pledge with a kiss. Then he took the Stargazers in one hand and reached for Maddie with his other. “Let’s get these in water, set them on the table inside.”

  “Then head down to Pappy’s for dinner,” Maddie added. “On the way we can stop by the nursery and tell Mom…and my brothers. Wait, does Kyle know?”

  “Yes, and he’s thrilled. He asked me to pass along two requests—brownies at least once a week and absolutely, positively no hamburger casserole for dinner—ever.”

  “I can agree to that.” Maddie nodded as her joy bubbled over. “Family meals are all a part of God’s plan.”

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  May God’s glory shine through

  this inspirational work of fiction.

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