The Dating Deal (19 page)

I nodded.

He played with a lock of my hair.  “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

Hearing the earnestness in his voice, not to mention
seeing
it in his warm, brown eyes, melted my already softened heart.  Besides, everything worked out for the best.  Everything worked out wonderful. 

If Trent hadn’t read my journal he would have never gotten to know me.  And I, in turn, would have never gotten to know him.  Not the real him.  The one that was standing before me, full of “Goodness and Light.”  It’s true what they say, the Lord works in mysterious ways.

 “Are you really going to get baptized?”

 He raised his eyebrows matter-of-factly.  “I know this church is true,” he said, saying it as though he was up on the stand, bearing his testimony. 

I was so overcome with happiness, I attacked him with a ferocious hug, practically knocking him to the ground.  Well, not really.  He didn’t almost fall to the ground.  But he would have if he wasn’t such a strong, hunky guy.  If he wasn’t so manly.  If he was ten.

I noticed Hailey staring at Trent and me from across the room. She looked worried, as though she knew we were going to rock.  As though she could tell just by looking at us that we were a force to be reckoned with:  a winning couple.  I smiled at her, trying not to look
too
smug.

Just then our names were announced.

Trent smiled.  “Are you ready?”

 “Yeah,” I said with a grin, and we went out on to the stage holding hands, ready to sing the perfect duet.

Melanie Marks was born and raised in California.  She is married to a retired naval nuclear submarine officer, and blessed with three amazingly terrific kids.

Melanie has had over fifty short stories published in magazines such as Highlights, Woman’s World and Teen Magazine as well as various anthologies. She’s had four children’s books published and three young adult novels.  

Melanie enjoys lounging in the bathtub, writing in bed, and living in a home longer than two years.

You can e-mail Melanie at
[email protected]
.