She shook her head. “I want a very small wedding with just our families and very closest friends. I want it in my church because Pastor Mike has seen me through many life events and—”

He laid a finger against her lips. “Whatever you want to do is fine with me. But let’s make it soon.” He popped the cork and poured the champagne. “To us, with God’s blessing.” He touched her glass with his. His grin kicked her heart into even higher gear. They took their glasses and dessert back out to sit by the fire pit, snuggled where they could see both the moon rise and the fire crackle.

“You make the best brownies, just the way I like them. How did you know?”

“Nate mentioned one time when we were talking about the brownies Loren had made.”

“I’m curious, what happened today that made you sure?”

“Amalia reminded me to not waste a moment of God’s gift to us. And then she said something really interesting. She said we are all unfinished objects and that God promised to finish us in His good time. I really like that idea, so down to earth, just like her.”

“Hmm, I’d think at our age, we must be half finished, don’t you think?”

She thought a moment. “I don’t think age has anything to do with it.”

He paused. “Roxie, are you familiar with Robert Browning?”

“The poet?”

“Yes. This is from ‘Rabbi Ben Ezra’: Grow old along with me! / The best is yet to be, / The last of life, for which the first was made: / Our times are in His hand / Who saith “A whole I planned, / Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”

He paused and swallowed, along with a sniff. “I want lots of years ahead with you right here beside me.” The glory of his smile made her eyes fill. “Unfinished objects, eh?”

They stared across the lake as the moon floated free of the horizon and rose on its journey. Their journey together was just starting. Who could dream what great things God would do with the remainder of their journey?

Epilogue

Epilogue

MJ stood behind the podium looking out over the faces gathered to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the UFO group. Around tables that sat eight, the laughter and conversations made her nod and smile especially when she looked right in front at their table. Roxie and Rich, inseparable since before their marriage eight months earlier; her daughter, Loren, and his son Nate, who finally had announced their wedding date; Amalia, wearing a new hat in honor of the occasion; Ginny, also wearing a hat thanks to Amalia’s influence; and MJ’s husband, Daryl, who gave her a thumbs-up sign. She tapped the mike but that did nothing to attract attention.