She was just tipping seed into a ceramic feeder in the shape of a magnolia blossom when she heard footsteps behind her and smelled the nutty, caramelized scent of fresh coffee.

“I thought I’d find you out here.” Frank reached around her and handed her the coffee mug, then kissed her. A sleepy, good-morning kiss. “Greeting the day and the birds.” The sky behind him, peeking through the tree canopy, was a wash of pink sherbet, and a light breeze stirred the air.

“They expect me every morning now.” She shifted the bag in her hand so the seed wouldn’t spill, and as she did, the clasp on her bracelet—she hadn’t taken it off since he gave it to her—came undone and it fell to the ground.

He retrieved it and slid it back on her wrist, then clicked the clasp together. “We certainly can’t let them down, can we?” His fingers trailed across her skin, making her shiver. “How many more do you have to fill?”

“Four more.”

“Show me where and how. Just in case I’m out here doing it on my own one day.”

Warmth spread through her body, from her cheeks down, as they walked through the grass to the feeder hanging from a low oak branch. He was going to ask her to marry him, she was sure of it. She’d sensed it for a while now, the question waiting behind every word that came out of his mouth. It tried to elbow its way in every time they were alone together and all the other words fell away, but he hadn’t let it out yet. Part of her was glad, but the other part wondered, What are you waiting for?

Violet often imagined what it would be like if they did marry. Waking up together every morning and filling the bird feeders. Scrambling eggs and frying bacon hip to hip at the stove. Waiting up at night, wondering if he’d make it home safely after a night shift. Welcoming him back home with grateful arms and lips.

“I was accepted into the program,” she said as she opened the lid of the feeder hanging under the oak and poured seed in. She’d been waiting for the right time to tell him, and though she wasn’t sure this was it, the words fell out anyway. “In the Keys. It starts in two weeks.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment as he reached up and closed the lid, then took the bag from her and set it down. He laced his fingers through hers and pulled her close.

“I’ll be gone all summer.” Could she do it? Could she be away from him for that long, this man she was considering handing her future to? She’d never known a good man before him, and here she was, saying yes to a program that would pull her hundreds of miles away for three long months.

He leaned down and kissed each temple, then the edges of her lips, then finally kissed her on the mouth. His lips were warm and full. “I’m proud of you. You go do what you need to do, and I’ll be here when you get back.”