Olivia (Logan 5)

"I assure you. Nothing sneaky was done. No

one else knows about this," he said. "Please," he

continued, "don't get the-wrong impression." I played with the ring, tugging it as if to take it

off and then turning it on my finger. He watched, his

eyes widening in fear and anticipation.

"I do believe with all my heart that we can have

a wonderful life together, and I hope you feel the same way," he continued, his eyes fixed on my fingers. "We share interests. We share ambitions. I hope I haven't upset you," he added when I didn't

respond.

"It's so sudden. I hate being surprised. I like

preparation."

"I know, but why can't good things be sudden?

Bad things often are, as you know yourself. Anyway,"

he went on, "I decided that today, a day we're going to

Nelson's engagement party, would be a great day to

announce our own."

I thought about it and smiled to myself. Yes,

wouldn't it though, I thought. I wondered about the

expression on Nelson's face when he saw the ring on

my finger, and the expressions on the faces of all

those people who were satisfied in believing I would

never be married. They were convinced I would end

up a spinster, running my father's enterprises, while

my sister, my beautiful sister, landed some rich and

handsome young man. Wouldn't they be shocked? "Don't you think it would be a good day to

make such an announcement?" Samuel pursued. I snapped out of my reverie and gazed down at

him. He was looking at me as if I were about to

pronounce a verdict in a court. His eyes were filled

with anxiety and the dread of hearing a refusal. "Yes," I said. "It would."

His face exploded in a smile. He kissed my

hand and jumped to his feet.