March 15, 1913

On a warm, Monday in mid-March, Lee Coulter walked into the general store.

"Good morning, Mr. Coulter." Mr. Yost smiled.

"Good morning, Mr. Yost." Lee greeted the storekeeper. "You wouldn't happen to have a package for me, would you?"

"Groom, I sure do." He smiled and handed Lee the package.

Lee beamed. "This is it."

"Well don't leave me in suspense." Mr. Yost said, somewhat impatiently.

Lee grinned and showed the package's contents to the storekeeper.

"Oh my, she will love it. You did a great job."

"Thank you. I cannot wait for her to see it."

"How many days until the big day?"

"Saturday marked two weeks. So it's 12 days from today." Lee grinned. "I can't wait."

"We're all so happy for you. You two are meant to be together. Congratulations again."

"Thank you Mr. Yost. See you later."

About half an hour later, Rosemary went into the store.

"Miss LaVeaux, I have a sale on fabric this week. But for some reason, I have a feeling that isn't what you came in for." Mr. Yost said, a twinkle in his eye.

Rosie smiled. "No, it's not."

"I have a package right here for you, Miss."

She grinned. "Oh!" she giggled. "It's perfect!"

She happily showed it to the storekeeper.

"Wow, you made an excellent choice."

"I know." Rosemary chuckled with that familiar playfulness the residents of Hope Valley had come to know and love. "I am crossing off the days on my calendar. Only 12 more to go."

"Congratulations Rosemary."

"Thanks Mr. Yost."

That afternoon, Lee came over to the café.

"Hello Lee," Abigail warmly greeted him.

"Hi Abigail, is Rosie here?"

"She went out. She'll be back in fifteen or twenty minutes."

"Good, it came."

"Oh!" Abigail rushed over to Lee.

Lee took out a small ring box and opened it. Inside was a beautiful silver ring with three diamonds on it.

"Oh my gosh!" Abigail gasped. "It's so beautiful! Rosemary will be so happy."

"So you think the ring is an okay choice?"

"More than okay, it's excellent." Abigail smiled.

"Thank you. I figured since you're her best friend, you would know best. I thought about asking Jack, but then I thought a woman's opinion would be better."

"Well thank you for letting me help you. It's beautiful, perfect for her."

Lee smiled. "I'm glad you approve."

"My birthday is in August. I always wished that my birthday could be in April so I could have a diamond for my birthstone. I guess a few girls get lucky and are born in that month. For the rest of us, the closest we can do is dream. Rosemary is definitely lucky, in more ways than one."

A grin spread across Lee's face. He quietly replied, "Thank you."

Meanwhile, at the jail, Rosemary had come over to show the ring she had purchased for Lee to Jack.

Rosie opened the ring box, revealing a gold band with a small sapphire on it.

"Rosie, it's perfect." Jack grinned.

"Thank you." She smiled. "You're his best friend, so I figured you would be a good one to show the ring to. It's not too feminine with the gemstone?"

"Not at all. It makes it more personal because that's his birthstone."

"It just so happens that someone else has that same birthstone."

Jack nodded and then grinned.

"Thanks Jack."

"You're welcome Rosemary, anytime. And congratulations. I'm very happy for you two."

"Thank you Jack."