He shifted so that he was facing her. He reached for her hands and then apparently thought better of it and pulled back. “Before you say anything, this has been hard on you too. As you said, you had a lot on your mind, what with graduation, and your dad, and taking on a full-time job. I understand why you weren’t ready to answer me right away.”

Mary bit her lip. She didn’t really want to make this a discussion. She wanted to say her piece and get it off her chest. “Sam—”

“I wasn’t finished. I’m sorry if you thought I was too pushy. I guess I panicked because I’m so sure how I feel, and I wanted to lock you down before you went off and explored the world like you were always talking about and found some other guy along the way.

“You’re so pretty. I see the way other fellas look at you and it makes my blood boil. You don’t ever seem to notice them, but I do. I’ve always been so proud to have the prettiest girl in town on my arm.”

Her nostrils flared. “I’m not some object to be possessed and paraded around.”

“I know that,” he snapped. “I know,” he said more quietly. This time he did take her hands. “Mary Elizabeth Trask, you are always going to be the girl I’m in love with. I’m still asking you to marry me. I still have that ring in my pocket. But I want you to know, if you need more time, take it. I’m not going anywhere. If you say yes right now, we can stay engaged for two years, if you want, before we walk down that aisle. I just want to know that you’re going to be my wife and…anyway… That’s what I wanted to share.”

If Mary felt badly before, now she felt like a complete heel for what she’d come here to say. Still, this didn’t change anything. She cleared her throat, withdrew her hands, and folded them in her lap.

“Thank you for all of that, Sam. I know it was sincere and from your heart. You’re a good man, and any girl would be lucky to wear your ring. The thing is, I’m not ready to marry you.” Or maybe any boy.

“Remember, I said—”

“Now who’s interrupting,” she chided. “I know you said you’d be patient. But you deserve better than waiting around for me to decide it’s time. I have a picture in my head of what my life could be like. That image involves travel, and new places, and expanding my horizons.” And true love.