Dovetail(86)

In the back of the boat, John found a box of matches along with a square privy lantern holding a fat candle. He opened the glass door on one side, lit the candle, and held the lantern aloft. “The owners of this boat are quite generous.”

“And right now they’re dancing the night away, unaware of their good deeds.” She took the lantern from him and beckoned, knowing he’d follow her anywhere.

“So this is the island,” John said as she led the way down a narrow path. “Are we going to run into any buccaneers?”

Alice turned and said, “No buccaneers. No buried treasure either. But I do want to show you something.” She continued onward, her eyes adjusting as they ventured farther. When they came to a large clearing, empty except for four wooden tables with attached benches, she stretched her arm out with a flourish. “Look! It’s a place for picnicking! Isn’t it charming?” She set the lantern on one of the tables.

“Very charming. This is just for picnics?”

She nodded. “Just for picnics and celebrations. The eighth-grade class had only six graduates last year, so they had their ceremony here. When I was a little girl, I used to love to come here with my family. Pearl and I would pretend that we were shipwrecked on this island and had to make it our home.”

“So you have happy memories from being here?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.

“Very happy memories.” She felt her heart flutter as she nestled against him, resting her head against his shoulder. She’d never kissed a man on the lips, but she hoped John would kiss her that way tonight. He wouldn’t think less of her for giving in to such a thing, she knew that much. He really cared for her. A kiss would be a promise between them, a memory in the making.

More important, she just yearned for a kiss, the touch of intimacy between them. She ached to feel his mouth on hers, to know what it was like to be a woman in love, to take that first step. She’d heard older women in Pullman brag that they’d never kissed anyone until the marriage ceremony had been completed. “I was at the altar with a ring on my finger,” Mrs. Donohue had said more than once. When Alice was younger, she’d thought that was the only way, the righteous way. It wasn’t until her father had let it slip that he and her mother had kissed before they’d wedded that she’d reconsidered the matter completely. During the times she’d imagined doing such a thing, she’d worried that if she did kiss a man, her ineptitude would be evident. That was before she’d met John.

She said, “So many happy memories. And now I have one more.”

“Being here with me?”

“Of course.”

He pulled away from her and whispered, “Alice, you have become everything to me. I’ve never felt this way before. I didn’t know I could feel this way. I love you, and every day I fall even more in love with you.”

“I love you too.”

He dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Alice, dear Alice, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She heard the words, but it took a moment for her to take the meaning. “John, you know that I’d love nothing better . . .”

He stood up, a grin across his face. “I’ve already asked your father, and he’s granted us permission. Say yes. Please say yes.”

“My father agreed to this?” She sounded skeptical, but hopeful.

“Yes, he did. I even told him about my great-grandfather, and he still approved the match. I told him our engagement can last until I finish school. I know it’s a long time to wait, sweetheart, but I will write to you every day and visit whenever I can.”

“My father said yes.” She shook her head incredulously. “I can’t believe it.”

“I don’t have a ring for you yet, but I have money saved and will get one for you soon.”

“I don’t care about a ring. I only care about us.” Alice couldn’t believe it. She’d been so happy at the dance, happier still when they’d arrived on the island. She would not have thought it possible to surpass that feeling, but now the joy in her heart swelled beyond anything she could have envisioned. John wanted to marry her, and her father had given his permission.

“You have not answered my question. Will you marry me, Alice?”

“Yes. Oh yes.”

He lifted her off her feet and swung her around in a circle, making her laugh, then gently set her down, holding her in a firm embrace. Putting his lips next to her ear, he breathed a question. “May I kiss you, Alice Louise Bennett?”

It was a good thing he was holding her close, because now she felt her knees weaken. “Yes, you may,” she said, and then his mouth was against hers, his lips warm and tender. It was everything she’d ever dreamed it would be and yet not nearly enough. She marveled at how natural it seemed and felt elated to realize that this was just the beginning. They could kiss like this for the rest of their lives. The other part, the married intimacy, was something she was not entirely clear on, but with John, it could be only an expression of love. And then someday, besides having each other to count on, they’d have a family and a home. A few minutes ago, she’d dreaded her life after John left for school. Now she saw the years ahead unfolding in beauty like rose petals come to bloom.

She was still kissing John when they heard the sounds of a boat scraping onto the shore. They pulled apart, and she froze, listening. She was alarmed to hear footsteps on the path coming in their direction. She whispered to John, “We’ll be discovered together.”