Featured image from https://pixabay.com/en/motel-hotel-sleep-pennsylvania-316295/

“I’m not staying there, honey,” said Angie.

“Of course not,” I replied as I drove the truck through the parking lot and around to the back of the building. “I just have to retrieve something I left here 20 years ago, if I can just find it.”

“What were you doing here and why would you leave anything behind this motel?” she asked.

“Just get out of the truck and follow me down to that stream,” I said as I stepped right over the running board and onto the packed gravel surface.

Not looking back, I could tell that Angie was reluctantly following me on the path that wandered down to the stream. The sound of her footsteps changed as she crossed from the gravel lot to the red clay.

“It’s over by that huge old willow tree on the other side of this stream,” I called back to her as I hopped over two foot wide creek bed.

Stepping behind the tree I waited, my heart now pumping in anticipation.

As she came around the tree, I dropped to one knee, box open, smile beaming.

“Marry me, please,” I said, holding up the ring.