The Rag Princess - First Date

      “Not much has changed with Mom.” Will  said, shaking  his head, pretending disgust.  “She’s still the ‘take charge’ woman she always was. She’s in two clubs, and she talked Dad into taking square dance lessons. She insists he go at least twice a month. In fact, she is busy planning a barn dance.”

     “That’s fantastic,” Celeste said. I miss the farm and your family.”

      Will looked confused.. Bouncing back, he said, "Who do you want to know about next?" .

    “ Clark? My father never had a kinder boss than your dad...” 

    “He’s still the same. He lives for the family, the farm, and the church.”

   “You mean Banner, the country church?” Celeste said, remembering how she’d loved going there.

   “Yes Banner, the white church, sitting on a corner there in the country. It’s the same. We still have Lord’s Acre Day and our other traditions.”

    “I’m going to go back to that church someday,” Celeste said  dreamily, picturing herself in a long white dress with a veil.

     “I could see you as a bride. With your tall elegance and beautiful face, people would look at you and wonder if they were seeing right.”

    “Will Temple, you embarrass me,” she blushed. Bending over, Celeste covered her face with her hands. Sitting like that, she looked like a ten year old. Forcing herself back to a sitting position, she peeked between her fingers.

      “Let me finish.” Reaching, with large, well-cared for hands, he graciously took her fingers from her face. Laying  them on the table, he gave  them a pat that almost blew her out of the chair. “The groom would be a bit taller with blond hair. He’d be unable to take his eyes off you. A large white candle would sit burning. The kiss at the end would be soft and tender. Is that close to how you’d want  it?”

      Tingling, her mouth fell open. Finally, she asked, "What would you want?”

      Will grinned, offering nothing more. He knew of no one even vaguely like this girl.  Her hair was gorgeous and unlike the girls he dated,  she seemed natural,  without pretense.