I hadn’t even caught a wink of sleep that night. Maybe sleep is overrated, for I felt an energy flowing through my body that morning that consumed me.

Today was the day that he was coming to present to me, of all people, a business plan.

I was so glad he was coming in the morning. That way my Mama would not be involved. She has a way of taking over everything, seeking to direct it in the way she thinks it should go.

Poor Papa, he is at her mercy daily and sometimes I feel as if I am too. I have enough of her blood in me though. I stand up to her occasionally.

As I put on my clothes and ran a comb through my hair, I pondered what his business proposition could be.

I had gotten every other detail worked out the night before. I knew just what kind of wedding dress I would wear and what our house would look like.

I brushed the dust off my sandals pondering if we would stop with just six children.

The knock on the door was decisive in sound. He was there.

I literally flew to the door.

When I opened the door I saw he had a satchel. He brought it in and gave me a hug.

“I have brought you a present, Mary.” He walked over to the table and sat on a chair. His dark hair glistened in the afternoon son. The sunshine bathed his beautiful skin with a natural glow of radiance.

I felt it difficult to move. I was mesmerized by his exquisite features.

“Sit down beside me.” He waved me over to sit on the chair beside him.

He opened the satchel and pulled out the most stunning color of turquoise paint, then a deep royal blue, a stunning purple, a magnificent magenta, a bold ruby red, a crisp emerald green, a soothing peach paint and a gold which reminded me of a full moon.

I was speechless.

I held up each bottle to view the color in the brightness of the sunlight. I had never seen colors so rich and bold. It was like my eyes were feasting on the most luxurious of buffets.

“I have never seen such beauty,” I finally exclaimed.

“I see much greater beauty when I gaze upon your face.” His eyes were smoldering with intensity.

There was an unusual feeling, one I had never felt before, which raced through me.

I have suspicions that this feeling is why Mama gets that twinkle in her eye every time she sees Papa look at her in that certain way.