“That’s what friends are for. I mean, after all, we are all UFOs when you think of it. God said He would do the finishing.”

Roxie stared at her wise friend. She nodded slowly and sucked in a breath. “I will. Tonight.” Inside, she felt like fireworks going off. She headed for her SUV. What she wanted to do was drive out to Rich’s office and ask him out for coffee. Or did she want to call him and set up a date for this evening? Or take the time to plan a celebration? Or… She stared out the windshield. Was something memorable important? No matter what she did, telling him was the important part. But where? How?

Her cell blipped with a text from Loren: Going with Nate for hamburgers and movie. Later.

She texted back: Thanks for letting me know. Have fun.

Then one for Rich: Want to watch the moon come up again? I’ll bring dessert.

He replied:  Sounds good. I have a meeting that should be over by about 7:30. See you at 8 at my house?

She responded. Perfect.

She spent part of the afternoon following up with several clients, getting some papers out, and then she baked brownies, with walnuts, just the way he liked them, powdered sugar dusted on top, no frosting. She stopped for a bottle of good champagne, grimaced at the cost, and set it in the cooler with the ice cream wrapped in plenty of ice.

Driving up his driveway was always such a pleasure. The big gray heron patrolled the banks of the pond while ducks paddled out in the middle. Green lawn made the beds of columbines and tuberous begonias sparkle. How he found time to take care of all this was amazing. But then, he was an amazing man. And he loved her. The smile started in her middle and tickled the edges of her mouth. Yes, his truck was parked in its assigned place.

He and Sophie got to her door before she could gather her purse and push down the handle, Sophie barking excitedly. “What a fine way to end this day.”

Her heart kicked up. “It is.” She reached for the cooler on the backseat.

“Let me get that.”

She greeted Sophie, ruffing her ears and murmuring doggy greetings.

“Okay, back off, girl, she’s here to see me.” Sophie sat, her fluffy tail sweeping the concrete.

Rick took Roxie’s hand and with the other swung the cooler. “Did you see the general at the pond?”

“If you’re referring to the heron, yes.” She gripped the container with brownies.

“Did you eat supper?”

“Yep.” Not that she’d had much but it was enough.

Instead of walking around the house, he opened the front door and gestured her in. “I take it there is ice cream in the cooler?”

“How’d you guess?”

“What else would need a cooler?”