The sun is straight overhead when I hear a rustle on the path. I look up and Sarah is headed toward me. I rush over to her, catching her up in my arms. Neither one of us says a word for at least a minute. It’s a relief to hold her and to feel her wrapped around me.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be here, but I was hoping,” she tells me.

It hurts me that she could think one setback would turn me from wanting to be with her. “I told you I’m taking you with me, and I mean to do it.”

She tucks her head up into my neck. Right up into her spot. “I ain’t never getting off this plantation, Henry. And you can’t come back on.” She steps back from me and looks into my face. “Maybe you should move on.”

“No,” I tell her. “We’re moving on together.”

“Master says God don’t want us together.”

I trace my fingers around her brow and down to her chin. “And do you believe that?” I ask.

“No.” Her eyes well up, squeezing my heart. “But if Master believes it, God might as well be against us.”

I lay my forehead against hers. “When I’m with you it’s like God’s breathing life into me,” I tell her. “I’m stronger and smarter and a plain better man. The way I see it, that could only happen if God himself had a hand in it. I think he’s telling us he wants us together.” I take her hands in mine. They’re cool despite the heat. “He made you special for me. And He made me special for you. It wouldn’t be right to turn our backs on that just because Matthew Johnson doesn’t understand about it.”

She lays her head on my chest and it about melts my heart because I know she’s crying and she doesn’t want me to see. When she’s wiped her eyes, I lead her up the river to where I hid the door. I hold it steady for her as she climbs on. Then I push her out into the river and swim her across. On the other side, she climbs off and presses in close against my side, even though I’m soaked through. Her arm snakes tightly around my waist, and mine around hers.

Goddamn Matthew Johnson.

I want us to always be like this, pressed close to each other, wanting everything from the other and wanting to give everything too. I want to pledge myself to her before God and hear her pledge herself to me. I want her to never doubt I’ll be waiting for her, no matter how many setbacks and how many days.

We come out on to the wildflower field where a hundred butterflies dance and flit, like God’s made us our very own heaven. I don’t hesitate. I lead her into the middle of the field and drop down on one knee.

“Will you marry me?” I say.