Larkspur Dreams (17 page)

Lark was pleased to discover that Whitestone Bistro had all the romantic delights everyone had boasted of. She enjoyed many more evenings there with Everett as well as sunny afternoons hiking and heart-to-heart talks about their faith and their future as they strolled the downtown shops along with the tourists.

Then one morning Lark took another joyride on her tire swing. When she slowed to a stop, warm hands covered hers. She turned around to see Everett standing over her. He held a small, velvet box in his fingers.

Lark put her hand to her mouth. “Is that for me?”

“It is,” Everett said. “Unless you think Picasso might like it more.”

She laughed as she accepted the gift.
I can’t believe this is finally happening to me.
Let the earth know that on this glorious Arkansas day, Larkspur Wendell will say “yes” to Everett Holden.
She
slowly raised the lid. The hinges made a little crackling sound before the box snapped all the way open. Lark gasped. Sitting cozily in the black velvet rested the most eye-popping, marquee diamond ring she’d ever seen.

Tears welled up in Lark’s eyes as she looked at the ring and then back at her Everett. “You leave me breathless.”

He touched her cheek and wiped away the tear. “I hope that is a good thing.”

“It is. . .a
very
good thing.” Lark ran her fingers over his arm as she looked into his golden-brown eyes.

Everett knelt down on one knee in front of her. “I guess I’ve been waiting for you all my life, and here you were. Right here.” He took in a breath and smiled. “Larkspur, will you be my one and only? I’ve never known anyone like—”

Lark hopped out of her swing and kissed Everett with fervor. She hadn’t formally said yes, but Everett seemed pleased with her response. Even Picasso waddled around in his pen with more gusto.

Over the next few weeks, Lark and Everett planned a simple, but elegant wedding. The ceremony would take place in a chapel nestled on a hill not far from the famous
Christ of the Ozarks
statue. They also chose the church for the magnificent scenes in the stained glass windows, which they hoped would remind all in attendance of the greatest love gift of all.

On the big day, Skelly proudly escorted Lark down the aisle to give her away. When Lark arrived at the altar, the pastor asked, “Who gives this woman in marriage?”

Skelly sniffed a bit. “I do.”

Lark squeezed Skelly’s trembling fingers as he lifted her hand toward the man she adored. She met Everett’s gaze. He looked so handsome and loving she thought her heart might burst from joy.
Oh, Mom and Dad, I wish you were here.

Later at the reception, Lark lifted her bouquet to an eager crowd of single women. She aimed the flowers at her dearest friend and maid of honor. Calli caught the flowers intended for her with one hand. Lark also pleasantly took note that several of the single ladies seemed to be clustered around Everett’s brother and best man, Marty.

When the day’s festivities had come to a close, Lark and Everett dashed through a rain of pelting rice and into a white, stretch limo waiting for them by the chapel. The next morning they caught an early flight to Paris. First class.

Their honeymoon in Paris was full of delights with leisurely walks down the
Champs Elysées,
visits to the Louvre, lunches at the local bistros, and the services provided by their hotel, including the sign Lark enjoyed hanging on the door that read,
Please Do Not Disturb.

Anita Higman hopes to give her audience a “gasp and a giggle” when they read her stories. She’s the award-winning author of eighteen books. Anita has a B.A. in speech communication and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Anita enjoys hiking with her family, visiting show caves, and cooking brunch for her friends. Please drop by her book café for a cyber visit at www.anitahigman.com.

Janice A. Thompson is a Christian author from Texas. She has four grown daughters and the whole family is active in ministry, particularly the arts. Janice is a writer by trade, but wears many other hats, as well. She previously taught drama and creative writing at a Christian school of the arts. She also directed a global drama mission’s team. She currently heads up the elementary department at her church and enjoys public speaking. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share it with others, which is why she particularly loves writing inspirational novels. Through her stories, she hopes to lead others into a relationship with a loving God.

To three amazing women. . .Kim Watson, Kristen Lawrence, and Sylvia Thompson.What treasures you are to this world.

Much gratitude goes to my daughter, Hillary Higman, for her honest input and support.

Thanks goes to Val Vogt for helping me understand the life of an artist.

Anita Higman

❧

To all of the “Larkspurs” in my life. You know who you are. Your creative spirits uplift, encourage, and bring a smile to this face when I need it most.

Janice A. Thompson

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