Marsden Farm – 20 – The Legacy Report

An Eventful Evening

Week 6: Sunday

Christian:
I asked Loni if she would like to go out for dinner tonight. We would be going to the bistro, so I asked her to pamper herself and dress up.

Loni:
Of course I said yes.

I decided to take a trip to the spa for a makeover as soon as I finished my chores. After finishing the garden and taking a quick shower, it was already early afternoon. I quickly ate some leftovers, and headed downtown. I found the perfect outfit, complete with new shoes. The stylist did my hair and nails. She even asked me if she could apply makeup. I agreed. I looked stunning! This would be the first time Christian and I went out to eat since he moved in. We worked hard at the farm, and it was coming along nicely. A celebratory dinner would be the perfect end to the day.

Christian: I heard the taxi pull up to the house, so I hurried out and asked the driver to take us to the bistro.

Christian:
After we entered the taxi, I reached over and took Loni’s hand.
Christian: Loni, you look beautiful. The color suits you.
Loni: Thank you.
Christian: Those are lovely pearls.
Loni: They were my grandmother’s pearls. Dad gave them to me when Mom died. He told me not to sell them.

We had a wonderful meal. Loni had the lobster thermador and I had the tri-tip steak. We finished off our meal with peach cobbler. We went outside.

Chuck Hobble was exercising Freebird near the bistro when the horse suddenly bucked him off. Freebird then died right there on the sidewalk. Chuck was devastated. He just lost his best friend and now his only link to Johnny Johnson was gone as well.

As we watched the sad scene, I swear I saw the grim reaper mount Freebird and disappear into the distance.

I took Loni’s hand and led her into the outdoor dining area. I looked into those warm brown eyes and stroked her cheek.

I got down on one knee and reached into my pocket.
Christian: Loni Marsden, I’ve been planning this for some time now.
Loni: Christian, what…?

Christian: I love you with all my heart and can’t think of anything better than spending the rest of my life with you. Would you marry me?

Loni: Oh, my! That is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Christian Payne, I would love to spend our lives together. I can’t wait to marry you.

I took the ring from the Simfany’s box and placed it gently on the ring finger of her left hand. Loni hugged me.

I have to admit, I shed a tear or two.

As soon as I stepped away from Loni, Chuck came up to me. I could see he was angry, and he slapped me across the face. I don’t know what I did to provoke him. Perhaps witnessing Freebird’s passing affected him more than I thought.

I tried to calm him down, but it just made him angrier.

He wanted nothing to do with my condolences.

We called a taxi and left Chuck standing there before things escalated.

Loni:
The night wasn’t over with. When we arrived home, I celebrated my birthday and became an adult. Christian was also an adult, just four years older than me. He celebrated with me, cheering me on.