The Wedding Wish

her happy involves finding a way for you and me to get along. I really want that, Mr. Miller. For all of us to be a family. Because I know that’s what Isabel would want.”
    Kip swallowed hard, thinking of the speech he’d given to Trudy’s father. A speech not so different from this one, delivered to a man who couldn’t stand the sight of him and abhorred the thought of someone as lowly as a construction foreman marrying his only daughter. It had taken Brad years to accept him. Even after Kip had started his own business and bought Trudy the big house, Brad wouldn’t stop by to visit. It was only after Isabel was born that Brad had finally started to soften. Isabel, Kip saw, could melt the heart of any man. Including this one standing before him here.
    “You really do love her, don’t you, boy?”
    “With my whole heart.”
    Kip perused him a beat, his own heart telling him the truth. His Isabel loved Robert too. “Then do your best not to muck it up.”
    “Sir?” Robert asked in surprise.
    “The proposal.”

    A few days later, Robert called to ask Isabel on a special date. What was special about it was that he wouldn’t tell her where they were going. He’d also been less than forthright about the discussion he’d had with her father. Trudy hadn’t been able to get a word out of Kip either. In a strange way, it was as if the two men had formed a pact. Isabel and her mom hadn’t even realized men could be that way. So sneaky. Something was up for sure. But, whatever it was, it couldn’t spell gloom and doom. Her dad seemed far too chipper as of late. And why on earth was he sorting his CDs in a way to single out dancing music?
    Robert held back the door as Isabel stepped into the car. “Your carriage awaits.”
    She eyed him curiously as he skirted around the car and took his own place in the driver seat. “Still won’t say where we’re going?” she asked when he took his seat beside her.
    “On a picnic.” He beamed, patting the basket in the backseat. It was late in the day, and the sun was just setting.
    “On the beach?” she asked, hopeful.
    “Better.”
    After a bit, Isabel realized they were driving north, headed toward her old neighborhood.
    “Robert?” she asked uncertainly. “Don’t tell me this is a double date with my parents.”
    “Nope, sweetheart.” He winked, and her tailbone tingled. “This night was meant for you and me.”
    Soon they were through the gate to her old neighborhood, and Isabel understood. Robert was taking her to his favorite place. That spot overlooking the valley where he used to go as a kid.
    “My lady,” he said, opening her door and helping her out of the car.
    “You’re being awfully chivalrous tonight,” she said, arching an eyebrow.
    He opened the back door of the car and pulled out the picnic basket. “That’s because I’m out with a princess.”
    “Let’s see…” she said, flirting. “That would make you…a prince?”
    “Don’t make me get out my sword and show it to you.”
    “Robert!” she said with a laugh, but her heart was light.
    “Come on.” He took her hand. “The sun’s just going down.”
    She let him lead her up the winding path that snaked through falling shadows. This was so romantic, just the two of them stealing away. Even though it was in her old neighborhood, she couldn’t help but feel a bit reckless. Like she was sneaking off in the night with some forbidden guy. They climbed up on that old, flat-topped rock with the magnificent view of the city, even more majestic now with the sky streaking purple and grenadine.
    “I hope this is all right?” he asked her.
    “It’s perfect.” She helped him spread the blanket, then took a seat.
    “Hungry?” he asked, settling down beside her.
    “A little.”
    He rummaged in the basket and handed her half a baguette.
    “What’s this?”
    “Cheese sandwich.”
    Isabel laughed at the memory. As kids, that was what they threatened to pack when the two of them ran away. They often made plans to run away together, but Isabel never truly thought it would come to pass. “This is pretty elegant cheese,” she said, peeking between the bread layers. “And, oh! What’s that?”
    “Brie and prosciutto.” He pulled one from the basket for himself, unwrapped it, and took a hearty bite. “Since we’re adults now, I thought I’d step it up.”
    Isabel nodded, taking a nibble of hers. Boy, was it good. Better than any old slice of cheddar on white bread for