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“I’ve never broken a plate on purpose.”
Simona laughs. “My sisters said this is a Czech tradition that we have to keep.”
“Alright. Here we go.” I slam a perfectly good plate on the ground. It feels surprisingly good to watch it shatter.
Together, we clean it up, me sweeping, her holding the broom. Apparently this is all part of the old tradition. The crowd cheers and jokes as we make a show of it.
“Teamwork,” she says with a delighted laugh.
“I think we’ve got that part down pretty good, my dear.”
When the show is over, I take her hand. “Let’s take a stroll.”
She joins me, wrapping her arm in mine. I love the feel of her hand tucked along the inside of my arm.
“I want to show you something.”
We walk to the edge of the hillside to look out over the amazing vista. The valley plunges far below like a blanket of green and gold. I take her to the bench that’s placed for enjoying this breathtaking view.
“One of the reasons I picked this place for the wedding is because of the view.”
“It’s unreal. Breathtaking, really.”
“And special,” I say as I pass her the pair of binoculars I had stashed here for the wedding.
“Take a look down there.” I point. “Just at the edge of the ridge, before you drop down into the valley floor. There’s a red barn there. Move about four hundred yards to the left of that.”
“It looks like… construction?”
“Look closely.”
“A house is being framed.”
“Not just any house.”
She lowers the binoculars and worries at her lip. “What kind of house is it?”
“Ours.”
Those big blue eyes of hers flare. “Our house.” She buries her face back in the binoculars. “That’s our house?”
“Yes, it will be done in a few months. Larson’s building it.”
“I’ve never had a house.”
I chuckle. “Me either.”
She’s all breathy and excited. “It’s going to be amazing. I can tell already.”
“It’s not gigantic. But it’s special.”
She sets the binos aside and catches my face between her hands. “Yes, it is. And. I. Love. You.”
“I know you might feel a little claustrophobic. So, I made some plans to help with that.”
She brushes her thumb over my cheek. “I used to think that, but now, I know I’m happy as long as I’m with you.”
I pass her a piece of paper from my pocket.