Looking For You All My Life Part 193

a charcoal turtleneck sweater. His eyes seemed to lock onto

hers as Michael continued to speak eloquently of the biblical

meaning of marriage, and Maggie felt her own eyes mist over

and blur as the couple repeated their promises to one

another. Then finally, the ceremdny ended and the crowd

began to move about, congratulating the newlyweds and

steadily escalating into a more effervescent mood appro-

priate to a joyous New Year's Eve celebration. Rosa had Looking for You All My Life301

hired several high school girls to help in the kitchen and

serve food so that all the guests were free to mingle and enjoy

the festive atmosphere.

After the cake was cut and numerous congratulatory

toasts made, Scott and Chloe prepared to make their exit,

thanking everyone for everything, and wis.h.i.+ng all a very

happy New Year. Then Sam, wearing an old-fas.h.i.+oned top

hat and scarf, proudly escorted the surprised newlyweds

onto the front porch where an elegant sleigh, complete with

brightly glowing kerosene lanterns, awaited them. The

driver helped the couple into the sleigh as birdseed and well

wishes were tossed their way. And then everyone waved and

cheered as the harness bells began to jingle and the sleigh

slowly cut across the meadow and on toward the road where

a car awaited. People trickled slowly back into the house,

but Maggie remained on the porch a few minutes longer.

Entranced by the sight, she wanted to paint a picture of this

magical evening in her mind before she rejoined the cheerful

and noisy crowd. As she entered the house and worked her

way through the rooms, she tried not to conspicuously

search for Jed, and yet each time she spotted him, he seemed

engaged in some lively conversation with someone else. Well,

that was okay. She was just happy to see him here, and glad

to see he was having what appeared to be a very good time.

Just before midnight, Maggie felt a light tap on her

shoulder and turned to see Jed smiling down on her. "Care

to take a walk?" he asked, holding her long winter coat all

ready for her to slip into.

"I'd love to." She allowed him to help her with her coat,

and then lead her to the backdoor. There by the back porch

was the sleigh again! The driver nodded knowingly to Jed as

he opened the tiny door. Jed helped Maggie aboard and then

he climbed in next to her, tucking the thick wool blanket all

around both of them. With the soft jingle of harness and

bells, the sleigh took off into the snowy night.

She felt her face smiling brightly in the cold winter air.

"What a perfectly wonderful idea, Jed. Thank you so much 302Melody Carlson

for thinking of this!" She turned happily to him. His face,

illuminated by the lantern's golden glow, was smiling too.

He reached over and took her hand. "Thank you for

joining me, Maggie." He slipped his arm around her shoul-

ders. "I wanted to do something romantic for you. I think