What do you say? Will you marry me?” Eric was hopeful. His eyebrows were lifted and he had a slight smile on his face. Vera’s face heated. Marriage? So, this was what the fuss was all about. The private elegant dining room overlooking Massanutten, the fresh tulips, the candlelight. Why hadn’t she seen it coming? “I’m . . . I’m shocked,” Vera managed to say. She felt the air escape from her chest. She took a deep breath. Lungs don’t fail me now. He held out a ring. “Will you wear it? It was my mother’s.” The oval emerald, set with two diamonds on either side, caught the candlelight in its glow. “Just beautiful,” Vera said. The silence that followed was remarkably uncomfortable between them. She loved him—this was true. Why didn’t she jump on this opportunity to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved? “Gun shy?” he asked, softly. She nodded. “I’m afraid so.” Her stomach twirled. “But we—” She held her hand up. “Eric, I love you. It’s not that.
