This story is related to The Silver Comb and The Message
“Daddy,” a little voice in the darkness woke him. “Daddy, can I have a drink of water?”
Buck turned in the direction of his daughter’s voice. She was standing next to the bed, her tiny hand on his cheek. She looked like a miniature version of her mother, Maria. Buck knew that Angela normally would have woken Maria but with her away at Lou’s with their son Michael, he was on duty.
“Sure, sweetheart,” Buck said as he pulled back the covers and swung his legs over the edge. As he got to his feet Angela scurried under his blankets to keep warm. Buck padded over to the water pitcher on the dresser and poured a cup of water. Sipping it on the way back to bed Angela giggled.
“Daddy, you drank my water.”
“Have a sip then it’s off to bed.” Buck caressed her hair as she downed the water.
“Can I stay with you? You must be lonely since momma isn’t here,” she entreated her father whom she adored. Buck smiled and sighed knowing that getting back to sleep quickly was not on the agenda this evening. “Tell me a story, puhlease.”
“Alright,” Buck said good naturedly. “So, do you have one in mind?”
“Oh, yes,” Angela said dreamily. “How about how you proposed to momma?”
“You are more and more like your mother everyday. Do you know that?” He chuckled as he slid under the covers and tucked Angela in the crook of his arm. “You are a romantic to the core.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Absolutely! Do you see the moon?” Buck asked. The trees and clouds couldn’t obscure the full moon from their view through the window. “It was on a night like this that I asked your mother to marry me. Now, go to sleep.” Buck closed his eyes and pretended to snore.
“Daaaaddddyyy!” Angela said in mock anger knowing that her father was teasing her. Buck laughed and began again.
“It was Saturday, and we were going to the town dance. I forget the reason but I was happy none the less to be seen with Maria Campbell. She was a vision in her deep purple gown. The silver comb was in her hair. She took my breath away.”
“Like a fairy princess, right daddy?”
“Yes, Angel, like a princess.” Buck drew a deep breath remembering Maria’s delicate perfume. “I remember dancing with to every song. My eyes couldn’t leave her face. We talked, laughed and danced. At one point I lead her outside and we walked down the side walk. She stopped and gazed at the moon as I gazed at her in the moonlight. She was so beautiful that night. When she turned to look at me I took her hand. I tried to speak but I couldn’t get any words out. She kissed me lightly on the cheek and smiled. Her hand in mine I went down on one knee and said, ‘Maria, would you do me the honor of being my wife?’” Buck paused and smiled thinking of the soul searing kiss she gave him.
“She said yes, Daddy. Don’t forget that part.” Angela said with certainty and a yawn as she turned over.
“Yes, she did, goose.” Buck gazed at the moon for a while longer
remembering that fateful night. With a sigh and a smile he closed his eyes thinking
of Maria’s return tomorrow.
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