The day after Luke and Meg had confessed their love for each other, Luke went to the blacksmith and showed him a picture of some rings he wanted made. He wasn't sure if Meg was ready yet, or not, but he had to at least ask. But he wanted one of the rings to be ready first. Luke was also having a bracelet made that he wouldn't need for a while.

When he saw Justin, he was just finishing up polishing the ring that Luke had hoped was ready. "Here ya, go, Luke. I'll have the other rings ready for you in a couple of days.

"Ok, Thanks, Justin. Here's what I owe you. Wish me luck."

Justin smiled at the barber, who he considered a friend, patted him on the back and said, "Good luck, My Friend."

Luke put the ring in his pocket and went to get Meghan. He was going to take her to the restaurant and then for a stroll and he would ask her then underneath the moonlight, after a romantic candle light dinner at The Silver Spoon.

The dinner went fine, the stroll was beautiful, and Luke returned Meg to her parent's home that was attached to the health clinic. Before they went inside, they shared a kiss. Luke opened the door for her and followed her inside. He watched her go up to her room. Serena and Daniel looked at him expectantly. Luke just shook his head. Daniel sighed a sigh of relief, his little girl was still his for a little while longer.

"I didn't ask. I started to, but for some reason I couldn't."

"Give it time, Luke. You'll ask her. Don't worry." Serena encouraged her best friend.

Luke turned and walked out of the door. He went home. Why can't I just ask her? She said that she loves me, so she shouldn't turn me down. Maybe I can take her out on a picnic tomorrow and ask her then. Business is slow right now. I could bring her to the same spot that I told her that I love her. Luke went to sleep with Meghan on his mind.

The next morning, Luke went to Walter at the bank. They rode out to a meadow about 1 � miles west of town. Walter said that nobody owned that piece of land, yet, not even the bank owned that. So Luke asked about putting a claim on it and it was done. Luke now owned about 3 acres of land. Walter knew that Luke stayed at the boarding house. So he wondered what Luke wanted with the land, but Luke didn't say and Walter didn't ask.

When they got back to town, Walter went back to the bank and Luke went to see Meghan. When Luke got to Meg's house, Serena was putting lunch on the table for her family. "Serena, where's Meg?"

"She's in her room, reading, why?"

"Can I pack some of this for a picnic for us?"

Serena smiled, "Of course. I tell you what you go get Meg, and I'll get the picnic all packed for you."

"Ok thanks" Luke said as he took the steps two at a time. When he got to her door, he reached in his pocket and felt the precious gift. He knocked on the door.

"Come in." Came the voice of the woman that invaded his dreams at night. When Luke opened up the door, Meg was sitting cross legged on her bed, holding her hair back so she could read the book that was in her lap.

"Hey."

"Thanks for the book, I really like it."

Luke smiled. He remembered placing it on her dresser the day he told her that he loved her. It was a book of sonnets from William Shakespeare. "I'm glad you're enjoying it." Luke pause looking at the object of his affections. Then he remembered what he had come up here for. "Want to go on a picnic with me?"

"Sure." Meg got up and took Luke's hand as they went down the steps. Serena had the picnic basket sitting on the counter.

Daniel was coming out of his office when Meg and Luke were headed out of the door. "Not staying for lunch?"

"We got lunch right here, Daniel. Don't worry I'll bring her back safe in a couple of hours." Luke said as they walked out of the door.

As the door closed behind the couple, Daniel turned to his wife and said, "I'm worried about her safety, I know Luke will protect her, I'm afraid of him bringing back my little girl engaged."

Serena laughed. "Daniel, Honey, you have to let go. I know it's hard, but she's all grown up. Most of her friends back in Boston are getting married or are already married with families of their own."

"I know. And I do like Luke a lot. It's just hard for me to let go of Meg."

"It's understandable." Serena then smiled and replied, "Besides, Luke has tried to ask her everyday for the past 2 weeks."

"So do you think he'll ask her today?"

"I don't know, Daniel. I know he intends to."

Luke and Meg had finished their lunch when Luke all of the sudden said, "What do you see, Meg?"

"Where?"

"Here. Look around and tell me what you see."

"It's a meadow, Luke"

"I see a two story house right there," he pointed to a blank space in the middle of the meadow. "The bedroom would be here." He walked to a spot on the area that he had pointed out.

Before Luke could finish, Meg interrupted, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about a place that we can grow old together in." Luke looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"What?"

Luke took a deep breath, put his hand into his pocket, held the ring in is hand, and said, "My darling, when I see your gentle, sweet smile, I know that I am the luckiest man on earth. Meghan, you are very special to me. Will you do me the honor of granting me this one wish?" Luke dropped to one knee, grabbing Meg's left hand with one hand while he pulled the other hand out of his pocket, and continued without missing a beat. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He placed the ring on Meg's left ring finger. Meg saw the fear of rejection in his eyes, but at the same time saw the hope of acceptance and the love that he held for her.

"Oh Luke, it's beautiful." She said as she looked at the Celtic theme engagement ring. "What will my father say?" She wondered out loud, then looked down at him, "You did ask my father didn't you?"

Luke nodded, "This has nothing to do with Daniel or Serena, this is about us Meg, and how we feel for each other." Luke looked as if he were hanging on to his sanity by a thin thread.

Meg knelt down in front of him, and quoted from the book of sonnets he had bought her, "O, never say that I was false of heart, Though absence seem'd my flame to qualify. As easy might I from myself depart As from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie: That is my home of love . . ." She kissed him lightly on his lips.

"Is that a yes?" He asked.

Meghan nodded. "This is a big step Luke, but I love you so . . .Yes! Yes! Yes! You're stuck with me Luke Saunders now and forever. I would like nothing more in the world than to be Mrs. Luke Saunders." Meg said as she was lifted into his arms.

"I love you Meghan Thomson. There is no one I'd rather be 'stuck with' for the rest of my life." Luke bent his head for a kiss to seal their engagement.

Meghan suddenly pushed away from Luke. "What about my father? You know how he is."

"He's given us his blessing. Now will you please come here and kiss me."

Meghan smiled slyly, "If you want a kiss . . ." She began, "You've got to catch me!" Meghan took off running. Luke stunned by her playfulness stood watching her for a moment before taking off after her.

Luke caught up to her quickly, and turned her in his arms. Luke bent his head, and Meg met him there. The kiss was tender and hinted at the passion that lay in wait for them.