Finding Peace (Finding Series Book 1) (36 page)

Kayla

It’s been a long week for me. Going to school and back is my life, counting down the days, hours, and minutes until I can be with Blake again. He left late on Sunday last weekend, neither of us was ready to say goodbye.

He’s called me once since then, being very vague about the plans he has for my birthday this weekend. My nights end with me reading the letter, I received from him this week over again and thanking God for bringing him into my life.

Tomorrow is my birthday, so as I sit here tonight reading his letter I’m giddy with excitement to see him and what he has planned. Tessa seems to be in on the secret, along with Lisa, Troy, and even Asher. None of them will breathe a word of what he is supposed to do or what he has for me.

Pulling his letter out, already dressed in his softball jersey, I sit on my bed to read his letter again.

Kayla,

I had a great time this weekend! Holding you all night was beyond amazing. I hate that we live so far apart, because I would really love to see you a lot more. I hope that the distance between us will only make our love for each other grow stronger. You bring such joy into my life, I never knew things could be like this. Kayla, you are a very sweet person who is beautiful inside and out. I just want you to know that in the short time I have known you, you have become an important part of my life.

You surprised me when you told me that you loved me this past weekend. I thought it would take you a lot longer to admit it to yourself much less to me. I’ve wanted to tell you since the night after I met you. I knew however that I would probably scare you off if I did.

I really hope that you will be able to come down next weekend to see me, meet my parents, and see where our house will be. Kayla there is so much that I want to say, but I just can’t find the right words to express all the emotions I am feeling. Let me just say that I am glad I met you and I love you. If you care half as much about me as I do you, then I am sure that we will last forever.

I’m counting down the days till this weekend. I want to make your eighteenth birthday one to remember. Wear a nice dress Friday night. I’ve got something special planned for you. I’ll be leaving to come and see you right after work on Friday. Sweet dreams, my girl.

Love always,

Blake

XOXOXO

P.S. If you have any more problems with that little punk, you be sure to let me know. Call me, I will be there for you.

I carefully fold the letter up and place it back on my nightstand. I’ve never felt this loved since I was a child.

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Blake’s letter said for me to wear a nice dress for the special night he has planned for us. So Tessa is helping me get ready. Finding a classic dress in Nineteen eighty nine is a chore. The fashion right now is wild, funky, and really bright colored. We searched every store in the mall looking for the perfect dress. I don’t know where Blake is taking me or what he has planned, but I want to look beautiful for him.

Wanting to look romantic and not overly sexy was my goal. After hours of shopping, we finally found a dress I loved. It looks very much like the white dress made famous by the late Marilynn Monroe, just shorter and in a bright peach color. Topping it off with nude heels, my pearl necklace and earrings. We have achieved the exact look that I wanted.

Tessa meticulously curls each section of my blonde hair that is now highlighted with some platinum blonde thanks to the summer sun. My skin has a nice bronze glow that makes the peach dress look even better against my skin.

“I know you are not fond of this kind of lipstick, but I just think it’s a must. We’ll put it on lightly.”

“Tessa, why can’t I just wear mine?”

“Kayla, yours isn’t lipstick. It’s lipgloss.”

“It works just fine.” I say rolling my eyes.

“Just try it if you don’t like it, we’ll take it off.”

“Okay, just do it before I change my mind.” She claps her hands, jumping up and down. I can't believe this is making her so happy.

Not letting me look in the mirror as she makes the final adjustments to my hair, has me feeling anxious. Hearing Lisa, Troy, and Asher talking with Blake earlier, I know he is here waiting on me. However, my stylist is being very strict about me not seeing him until I am ready.

The excitement and nervousness are almost too much to take. Not seeing him for a week has been unbearable. I now live for his letters and calls.

Blake is constantly with me, whether he is here physically or not. He’s invaded every part of my life and I couldn’t be happier about that.

“You look perfect.”

“Can I see now?”

She has a huge smile across her face when she nods her head yes.

Turning slowly, I face the person in the mirror, I almost don’t recognize this girl. Tessa has done an amazing job of playing up my green eyes and I must agree the peachy bronze lipstick really compliments my skin and it goes well with the dress.

Looking and feeling soft and romantic, I’m ready to see my man. Just then Lisa comes through the door of my bedroom.

“Are you girls about done? Blake is getting a little antsy waiting.” Lisa asks.

She stops and just looks at me. “You are beautiful. I mean you're always beautiful, it’s just that you look so grown up.”

Looking down at myself, I actually feel beautiful tonight. Then my self-doubt creeps in.

“What if Blake doesn’t like it?”

“Nonsense, he is going to be blown away.” Tessa announces with certainty.

“Dad might be a little upset that there’s a little too much cleavage showing.” Lisa says with a laugh.

Taking in a deep breath, we leave my bedroom. I hear Troy and Asher talking as we get closer to the great room. When they hear us they look up and Troy shows us a big smile.

“Absolutely beautiful.” Troy says.

Looking around I ask, “Where’s Blake?”

“Oh, he asked me to give you this.” Asher says handing me an envelope.

“Where is he?”

Troy winks at me and says, “Just read the note sweetie.”

I’m confused, I know he was here. I look over to the windows that look out over the lake, but the blinds are pulled closed. That’s odd they’re always open except when we are asleep.

“Open it!” Tessa exclaims with excitement.

Looking around at everyone standing there. I’ve been waiting a week to see him. I’m really not in the mood to play these games. All I want is to see and hold him. I look at the note that is now in my hand, unfolding the paper I read the words he has written.

Kayla,

I know if you are feeling like I am right now you probably want to scream at me.

I laugh, he knows me so well already. Smiling, I continue to read.

The night I met you I sang to you to get your attention. That song will always hold special meaning for us. I do get lost in your eyes every time I look at you. I want to look in those eyes for the rest of my life.

Come to me sweetie. I’m waiting for you on the dock. I can’t wait to see you.

Love always,

Blake

“Go! What are you waiting for?” Tessa nudges me to go.

I’m really nervous now. What is he doing on the dock? I feel like I can’t breathe, although this isn’t from panic this is from excitement. Rushing to the stairs and to the back door that faces the dock I walk out and I’m floored by what I see.

Our song is playing through the outdoor speakers Troy had installed. There is a path made of candles that lead from the patio all the way down to the dock. It’s gorgeous. The closer I get to the dock the more my heart rate increases. The pounding of my heart in my chest echoes in my ears. Fear wasn’t a factor here, but more praying this is not a fantasy. Like I’m still sitting back on the chair as Tessa helps me get ready for tonight.

My body tingles with excitement to not only see what is going on, but to be near him again. With tears already begging for release, my mind is trying to process the fact that someone went to this much trouble for me, for my birthday.

The fight moves to my feet. They want to run to Blake and just throw my arms around him, never letting him go. Unconsciously, I speed up and have to slow myself. After all, he’s gone to so much trouble for me, for tonight, for us. Everything is swarming in my head, but my eyes remain focused on the man I’m head over heels in love with.

The sun is low in the sky, once again gracing us with nature’s majestic colors. It strikes me then that this is the first sunset we’ve had together. Our first sunrise last weekend and now our first sunset.  The colors of the sunset are deep, potent and only added to the breathtaking view of the candles and the man before me.

Walking closer to the dock, I see him in a pair of dress slacks and emerald green dress shirt. Taking in a quick breath at the sight of him, my eyes tear up. Briefly lowering my eyes, I see purple rose petals under my feet. Smiling, I think back to the day he gave me those purple roses, love at first sight. Does he know that? Raising my eyes back to him, it’s then that I see he has a bouquet of purple roses in his hand. The candles have been spread further apart here and are now creating a huge heart around us.

“You look amazing.” He says.

“So do you.”

“These are for you.” He says, handing me the roses.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do all of this.”

“Yes, I did. I wanted your birthday to be special.”

As the music continues to play in the background Blake looks nervous. He’s looking over my shoulder, but when I start to turn to look behind me he begins to speak.

“I knew the night I saw you that you were different, I had this overpowering urge to get to know you. When you turned down my invite to come over and talk to me, you pulled me in even more. I’d never had that happen before.”

I laugh a little. Blake just smiles at me and takes my left hand in his.

“I think about you day and night. And when I think of the future, I see you. I can’t imagine you not being there with me. I want to share every minute of my day with you. When something happens, you’re the first person I think of telling. You’re the last person I think about before I go to sleep and the first person that enters my mind when I wake up. I think of ways to make you happy just so I can see your smile and hear your laugh. I love you, Kayla, more than you could ever comprehend. My love for you is immeasurable. I know that we are young and I know that we haven’t known each other long but…”

He kneels before me and a sob leaves me, I can’t believe this is happening. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring box.
He’s really doing this. Oh God, he’s proposing to me.
I swallow hard, then his eyes meet mine. He’s smiling at me, I know I must look like I’m in shock. Bringing my hand up to my mouth, I try my best to control my emotions. This amazing man is going to ask me to be his wife. How did I get such a blessing?

“Kayla, will you share your life with me, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I want to wake up with you every day and go to bed with you every night. Will you marry me, baby?”

I think I started shaking my head yes before he was even finished. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

He slides the ring onto my finger, and picks me up, spinning me around yelling, “She said yes!”

Blake takes my mouth with his and kisses me passionately while still turning us around. I’m not sure if the dizziness I’m feeling is from the spinning or the kiss, maybe it’s the combination.

He sets me down and cradles both sides of my face. “I love you. I love you so much. Future Mrs. McGinnis.”

“I like the sound of that and I love you too.”

Blake nods his head in the direction of the house. It’s then that I see a group of people coming toward us. They knew, they all knew and didn’t tell me anything.

Tessa runs to me and hugs me tightly. “It’s so good to see you this happy. Let me see it.”

Oh my gosh! I haven’t even looked at the ring yet. I look down at the ring on my left hand, “Wow! It’s stunning. It’s too much, Blake.”

He is shaking hands with Troy, but stops talking to look up at me.

“You deserve so much more. I saw it and immediately thought of you.”

Looking down at the ring again, it’s a one carat princess cushion cut solitaire with a baguette on each side of it. I am going to be terrified to wear it. I’ve never had anything so extravagant.

“Wow! You did good, Blake.” Tessa exclaims.

Everyone hugs and congratulates us. I keep clinging to Blake in fear that this is all a dream and I’m going to wake up any minute.

Troy walks up to us and says, “The car is waiting for you, Blake.”

Blake shakes his hand again. “Thank you for all of your help and your blessing.”

He nods to Blake, then winks at me. Troy is such a good man.

“I have another surprise for you. Are you ready to go to dinner?”