“I’m sad. But I’m okay.”
We walk past the barn and down the embankment into the dormant lavender fields. The earth is dark and scratched, withremnants of shriveled plants sticking out of the ground. It’s shocking since the last time I was here. Even with the faint scent of lavender still hanging in the air, the fields appear eerie and make me even sadder.
“I wish it was the middle of summer again.”
“Me too,” George replies. He seems to be on a mission as he continues to pull me along the path. “But early fall can be just as pretty.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll see.”
We come to a clearing, and I gasp at the sight of yet another field of flowers in full bloom, hidden behind a row of pine trees. They’re in various audacious colors, the rows popping in bold hues.
“Daylilies,” he says with glee. “There’s always something growing on the farm.”
I unclasp my hand from his and run my fingertips across the tops of the vibrant plants.
“I’ve never seen so many beautiful varieties.”
George points to a flaming red flower with a yellow center. “That’s theSky Dragon.”
I nod. “Gorgeous.”
“Yup. It’s the tallest Daylily, with an average height of forty-eight inches. It’s very sturdy and a generous bloomer.”
“Tell me more.”
Once again, I’m in flower heaven with my good-looking farmer by my side, fascinated by his knowledge. I thought the lavender fields were incredible, but these Daylilies are in close competition.
“That pink one over there with the scalloped petals is calledPacific Rainbow.” He points to several more. “And that one right there is theEye of the Tiger.”
My eyes follow his outstretched arm and pointed finger, and I laugh. “Someone named a flower theEye of the Tiger?”
“They sure did. And right over there is another funny one called theFried Green Tomato. See how the green and red colors bleed into one another like a tomato?”
“Yes.” I bend low to look closer, mesmerized by nature’s beauty. When I turn around, George is holding a large bloom in front of him.
“But this one is my favorite. It’s calledPink Dragon.”
He lifts my hair and tucks the stem over my ear. I stare back at him, my cheeks blushing with heat.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you, George. And thank you for showing me this amazing field of flowers. You’ve outdone yourself.”
He stares at me for a beat before he awkwardly kneels to the ground.
“George? What are you doing?” My heart races. I know exactly what he’s doing.
How he looks up at me with his azure, wide eyes full of hope and longing has me trembling. I had wanted to discuss the possibility of marriage when I arrived last night, but the timing didn’t feel right.
I want to help him. I want to live at Jamison Farm and start my life over with the man I love. I can be of great service to him and the family business. It’s a no-brainer, really.
I decided to wait and broach the subject of marriage until George and I settled into some kind of routine. That he was obviously thinking about the same thing leaves me swooning.
“M… Madison?”
“Yes?” My voice is barely a whisper.
