Recap of Chapter 34: Matthew picked up Penny’s dad from the airport, reminding him of their date, just the two of them. Martin suspected it was the age-old ritual of asking for his daughter’s hand. Penny wanted something else from him: advice. She was worried that Matthew was distancing himself from the relationship. Martin managed to put her mind at ease without revealing Matthew’s secret.

Matthew was so good at so many things. That was proven over and over. So, it was baffling to Penny that he fumbled with the oars yet again, stalling the canoe close to the little island by the shore. She bit her lip to keep from laughing as he struggled to figure out how to get them back on track and away from the elk and their babies that waded in shallow water and bedded down on the island.
When Matthew had suggested they have a picnic and a canoe ride, Penny jumped at the idea and offered to bring the food. He said it was all taken care of and insisted she not lift a finger. In fact, he forbade it. Very sweet of him; very uncharacteristically adamant, and she had to admit, she was enjoying every minute. The sun was warm, playing peek-a-boo with the fluffy clouds dotting the sky, offering just enough of a break to avoid getting hot. The water sparkled, and the wildlife was on full display, creating a charming scene. She spotted a muskrat crossing the lake close by their canoe. He created a V in his wake. When he swam aside and then ahead of the canoe, Penny laughed.
Matthew was good-naturedly poking fun at his inept rowing performance, but he was determined to get a handle on it. He rolled his eyes when the muskrat lapped them. They say that how a man tackles tangled Christmas lights is very telling: Does he get mad and throw them at the wall or patiently work to get them all shining brightly? It was a test of sorts to see what he would do in a difficult moment. So far, Penny gave him an A.
Matthew had drummed up this date with a purpose. He had it all planned out in his head. He would woo her with wine, good food, and an easy canoe ride on this beautiful day. He imagined she would gaze hungrily at his muscles as he pulled them through the water. And right when they were gliding happily in the middle of the lake, their bellies full, he would refill her glass, look her in the eye, tell her what she meant to him, and ask her to be his bride. He had done the prep work—asked her dad for her hand, even though some thought it was an arcane practice. He wanted there to be no impedances to their happiness. He had Jesse secretly gather the food and wine for their picnic and pack it in a cooler, which he discretely stashed inside Matthew’s car. He worked hard to ensure everything would be perfect today. It was very romantic in his head. Too bad his inept handling of the canoe was taking a comical turn. At least she was amused. And she certainly had done her part. She had dressed in a simple white sun dress with tiny blue flowers. It clung where it should and flowed out over her knees. She wore a small-brimmed straw hat that let just enough dappled sunlight through to highlight her sunkissed cheeks that were recently sprinkled with freckles. She looked like she belonged in a painting and Matthew took pleasure in watching her trail her fingers in the water. She was relaxed and playful.
“Okay, that’s enough of my expert rowing for now,” he declared as they finally made it to the middle of the lake. “Are you hungry?” She eagerly nodded as he opened the cooler, handing out plates, wine glasses and cutlery wrapped in red handkerchiefs. He took out several glass tubs containing fragrant chicken salad, berries and grapes, and a variety of gourmet cheeses, which he put on a wooden slicing board. The inverted cooler lid doubled as a flat surface which had convenient cutouts for their wine glasses. He uncorked and poured two glasses of crisp pinot grigio and raised his glass for a toast.
“To summer days, delicious food, and good company.” They touched glasses and he added, “You look so beautiful, Penny, like summer itself.” She smiled demurely. He leaned forward to gently kiss her lips, which were cold and sweet from the wine. And they proceeded to enjoy their summer feast drifting lazily on the water.
After slicing cheese, Matthew held a strawberry out for Penny to taste, marveling at how beautiful she looked. He refilled her glass. He gazed out across the water and then back at the woman he wanted to spend his life with. It seemed like the right time. He reached for her hand.
“I was just thinking,” he began, “about fate and chance.”
“Fate and chance? What about fate and chance?” She reached for another strawberry.
“Well, if I hadn’t come to this town to work on that big job down the road, I never would have come into your restaurant. And, if I had never gone into your restaurant, I wouldn’t have met you, the Penny in Lucky Penny.”
“True. Do you suppose that is fate or chance?”
“Fate. Definitely.”
“So, where does chance come into it?”
“Well, I took a chance when I asked you out and it paid off because here you are sitting across from me in this aggravating contraption,” he made a face at the canoe, “looking like a picture.”
Penny fluttered her eyelashes and fanned her face in feminine parody.
“A picture of pure love. That’s what you are to me, Penny.” He brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “You are love—you express love in everything you say and do; in how you cook, take care of your restaurant, your customers, and in your relationship with your dad. And, in how you look at me. In how you make me feel when I’m with you or even thinking about you. You are everything I could ever want in a woman.” He paused then, looking down as he drew tiny circles on her hand with his thumb. When he looked up again, he had a serious look on his face, which alerted Penny that something important was about to happen.
“You are everything I ever wanted in a lifelong partner—everything I ever wanted in a wife.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a ring-sized box.
Penny made an involuntary noise—something between a gasp and a sigh. Tears sprang up in her eyes and her hand flew to her mouth.
Seeing her reaction, Matthew began to smile. “Penny, darling woman, love of my life… will you… ” He turned the box toward her and popped it open, revealing a simple gold ring with a sapphire in the center and three perfect small diamonds flanking each side. The sun caught the jewels and they sparkled.
Penny began nodding her head vigorously before he could finish his sentence.
“Hold on,” he laughed, “I’m not finished.”
“Oh,” she said sitting upright to pay attention. She wiped at her eyes. “I’m sorry. Go on.”
“Will you make me the happiest man today and forevermore by agreeing to be my wife? Penny, will you marry me?”
Penny threw herself in his arms, hugging him around the neck. Both their wine glasses tipped over, spilling. “Yes, yes, yes!” she cried. “A thousand times yes!”
“Yes?” he asked, pulling back to look into her face.
“Yes,” she repeated and then they kissed. “I love you.”
Matthew was beaming. “You said yes.”
“I did.” She couldn’t seem to stop herself from smiling. “And we made a mess of our picnic.”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. The picnic was just to butter you up for the proposal.”
“Oh really?” she said laughing.
“Yep. And now that you said yes, we can go back, my fiancé.” He took the oars in his hands. “Let’s go back and share the good news. And with me rowing, maybe we’ll get to shore by Christmas.”