Going Home

Part 141

That evening Grace and Josh chatted to many of the locals as people came and went. Some they had met on their last visit, some Josh remembered from when he lived here as a teenager. As the night progressed Grace was glad that she had that talk with Josh earlier because she noticed that more than once he was referred to as Brendan.

Margaret was also aware of this and was relieved that Grace sorted it out earlier. Otherwise she would have been on edge all night worrying that Josh would be upset about it.

Later much to Josh’s surprise it was Grace who suggested a walk. Smiling Josh got to his feet and followed her outside. But once they were out of earshot of the house Grace turned to Josh and said in a stern tone “we are not going to the shed Josh.”

Grinning Josh turned to look at her in the moon light “really?”

“No” Grace said quietly.

Laughing Josh conceded “okay even though it is a perfectly good opportunity wasted, no shed. So where are we going then?”

“Nowhere in particular, just for a walk. I want to give you your Christmas present.” Then an idea presenting itself she said, “what about we go back to the tree?”

Looking down at her Josh shrugged. He was wondering what she was up to and what she could possibly want to give him out there. But happy to do what she wanted he said “okay.”

As they walked along Grace was getting more and more nervous. She had a surprise for Josh but she was not sure what his reaction would be, so needing to get on with it, as soon as they reached the tree she turned to Josh and looked up at him. With a serious expression she said “you know I love you right?”

Frowning because he did not know what was coming, Josh just nodded.

“And you know how you said our relationship could go where ever we wanted it to go?”

“Yes” Josh replied in a tone as serious as her expression.

“And you know how we talked about having kids one day?”

Impatient for her to get to the point now because she was starting to worry him Josh said in a rough voice “yes Grace I know all of that and so do you so what’s all this about?”

Taking a deep breath Grace gathered her courage and needing to get it out fast to relieve some of the tension that she was feeling she said “I want us to get married.”

Poster p490