“Is this what you had in mind?” he asked.
I pulled back and smiled. “It’s perfect, beyond perfect.” I turned slightly and kissed Mary on the cheek. “How in the world did y’all do this in one day?”
She laughed. “It’s amazing what can happen with true love as the driving force behind it.”
I looked back at John. “Do I owe you more for the flowers? They are covering the restaurant.”
He shook his head and glanced behind me. I turned to see Emma smelling all the flowers as she walked around the restaurant. She stopped at a picture and spun around quickly.
“My parents! Oh my gosh!” Her hands came up to her mouth. “John? Mary?”
John and Mary both chuckled as they walked up to Emma.
“Emma Rose, the last time I saw your beautiful face, you were running around, playing princess,” John said.
Emma smiled bigger. “Oh, I wasn’t even paying attention to the name of the restaurant when we walked up. I was hoping to visit.”
“Well, your husband here beat you to it. He stopped in yesterday and made all the arrangements for dinner,” Mary said as she hugged Emma. “Let’s get you seated, shall we?”
Emma nodded her head as we made our way over to a table in the middle of the restaurant.
Mary placed napkins down for both of us as she began to go over what we would be eating. “I’ve prepared baccalà mantecata with risotto and gnocchi. It’s my mother’s recipe.”
“Oh my, that all sounds heavenly, Mary,” Emma said.
She looked at John and smiled as he placed a Bellini down in front of Emma and then me. Emma had become addicted to the drink since having it the first night we’d arrived.
John cleared his throat. “I’ve been told the bride loves tiramisu.”
Emma laughed and looked at me.
“Yes, she does indeed,” I said.
“Then, I dare say you will have the best you’ve ever had this evening,” John said.
He and Mary excused themselves and headed to the kitchen.
Emma took a sip of her drink and raised her eyebrow at me. She placed the drink back on the table. “Garrett Thomas Mathews, this is the most romantic thing ever.”
I shook my head. “This isn’t your surprise, Em. That is still to come.”
Her eyes danced with fire as she looked at me. It took everything I had not to touch her right now. I wanted to pick her up and make love to her while surrounded by the beautiful candlelight and the smell of the flowers.
She looked down quickly but then looked back at me as she tilted her head. “Did you pick the flowers?”
I looked around and nodded my head. “I did.”
“They’re beautiful, Garrett,” she whispered.
“The white daisies represent your innocence. The orchids are for your beauty. The tulips represent our love and passion.”
Emma quickly wiped away a tear that had been sliding down her cheek.
“The apple blossoms?” she asked.
“Good fortune with the ranch,” I said.
She smiled.