Chapter 31

The Question

The Appalachian Mountains had always been a place of wonder and delight for Danny. He used to bring Connie up here all the time. That is, until she found other things she'd rather do. She blamed it on him, and said he didn't want to do anything she wanted to do, but Danny was only doing the things he and Connie had always done together, and he hadn't changed. Mostly, Connie just wanted to do things that didn't include Danny. He hoped Regina would never become like Connie.

Regina looked out over the valley below as she and Danny walked along a mountain trail holding hands. The red, yellow, and gold of the turning leaves on the distant hillsides were enough to take her breath away. It was here she felt close to God, and here that she felt closer to Danny than ever before. Regina believed she would remember this weekend for the rest of her life. For her, it was magic."The mountains are so beautiful this time of year," Regina said. "The leaves are turning. I don't think we could have picked a better weekend to ride up."

"They are pretty," Danny said, "but not as pretty as you."

"Well thank you Mr. Johnson," Regina said with a grin. "You know you're not too hard on the eyes yourself there cutie."

"Cutie," Danny laughed, "I thought I grew out of cutie when I quit wearing diapers."

"No," Regina laughed, "I think you'll probably never grow out of being a cutie. I'm hungry, why don't we find something to eat?"

"There's a restaurant with a great view of the mountains, just off of the Parkway, and they've got the best fried chicken in the South. They've got a deck out back too."

"The best fried chicken in the South," Regina answered, "sounds fattening, let's go get some."

"Like you need to worry about getting fat with that great figure you've got."

"Why Mr. Johnson, you are just full of compliments today, aren't you? Why if I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to make a move on me or something."

"I'll feed you first," Danny said as he hit the starter button on the Electraglide. "You ready?"

"I'm ready," Regina shouted as she saddled the back of Danny's hog. "Let's ride!"

Danny and Regina roared away easily as the hog seemed to love the gentle twists of the Parkway. After a couple of miles, they came to an exit. At the end of the ramp, Danny turned right, and made his way about six miles to the restaurant. As they pulled in, Regina asked, "This place is beautiful, how did you ever find it?"

"I used to come up here a lot," Danny said as he stepped off the Harley.

"With Connie?" Regina asked.

"Yeah, sometimes," Danny answered hesitantly.

"It's okay," Regina said. "You were with her for a long time, and we can't go to another world just so I won't end up at the same places you and Connie went to before."

"It's like it is another world when I'm with you, Regina."

"You're so sweet, Danny Johnson. Connie was a fool to dump you. I can't imagine ever letting you go."

"I sure hope not," Danny said as he held the door for Regina.

"You just keep opening doors, and being nice to me, and you'll never have to worry about being alone again."

"I'll not forget," Danny said.

After dinner, Danny and Regina rode back to the motel where they would have a great view of the Autumn sun as it set over the hills. As he and Regina watched the sun going down, Danny poured Regina a glass of white wine, and reached into his pocket. "Regina," Danny said.

"Yes, Danny."

"I've got something I want to ask you."

"What is it, Baby?"

Danny handed Regina a little box, and said, "It was my mother's, and I was wondering if you would like to wear it?"

"Danny," Regina's hands trembled as she pulled the ring from the box, "your mother's ring. Are you asking me to marry you?"

"I hope it's good enough for you. Daddy didn't never have enough money to buy Momma a bigger stone."

"Good enough? Oh Danny, it was your mother's engagement ring, how could it not be good enough?"

"I just thought you might be expecting a bigger diamond, or something."

"Oh Danny," Regina gasped, "there's not a big enough diamond in the world. There's nothing in the world that I could ever cherish any more, and if you're asking me to marry you, then I'm saying yes."

"Then I'm asking," Danny said as he reached to put the ring on Regina's finger.

Comments

[Vickie]

OMG, so, it took me three day. I fell in love with the characters. I noticed one or two glitches but didn't care a hoot because I was too interested in the story. By biggest gripe is that the story is centered and it really shouldn't be. I do recognize that to be a trademark of Billy the Blogging Poet so I won't complain too loudly. Thank you so much for sending me in this direction! Any chance of a sequal?

[Vickie]

Hey, wasn't there supposed to be a poem by the same name?

[Vickie]

I may have spoken too soon; my apologies. I see that you might be adding another chapter soon.