The year was 1975 and Emma Hoyt, decked out in a pretty, new purple dress had just finished an early dinner with James Dooley, son of one of the richest men in Alexandria. It had started off as a blind date, the introductions made by mutual friends who saw a possible love match. Some three months later the pair were still courting, enjoying one another's company several times a week.

"Emma, did I tell you how absolutely lovely you look tonight?" James asked with that trademark grin as he lit a cigar.

"Several times and you're starting to make me blush", she smiled.

"Well I can't help myself. Your beauty simply captivates me."

Emma shifted nervously in her seat. Nobody had ever complimented her as frequently and flatteringly as James Dooley had. It was certainly nice at times but for the most part she was unsure of how to take it all in.

"Would you mind taking a drive with me, Emma?" he asked through rings of smoke. "There's somewhere I'd like to show you."

"Sure", she said, glancing at her watch and noticing only a few hours left of daylight.

He smiled and grabbed her hand, leading her to his brand new Buick. He whistled a happy but mischievous tune as they rode in near silence for a few miles to an old country road that led far from town.

"James Dooley, where on earth are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise", he winked.

A few minutes later he parked the Buick at a dirt and gravel road that led to a small gated field. It was beautiful just as the sun was beginning to set but Emma still had no idea what they were doing there.

"James, what's going on?"

A man walked out from a small barn on the property.

"Mr. Dooley, it's good to see you", he said as they shook hands. "And this must be Miss Hoyt."

"The one and only", James grinned proudly. "Um, Henry, you can bring out Miss Hoyt's surprise now?"

"James..."

"Close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you to."

Reluctantly, she laughed and did what she was told.

"You're up to something, you old devil."

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. You just keep those eyes shut, missy."

She stood there with eyes closed as she heard a bounding noise heading in her direction.

"James..."

"Open your eyes, honey."

Before her in the field was the caretaker...with a horse.

"Oh my God..."

"Isn't he a beauty?"

"Oh James, he's gorgeous. He's a Clydesdale and the finest one I've ever seen for sure."

"You like him?"

"I love him! I love horses."

"Well he's all yours."

"Mine? Wh...James, have you lost your mind?"

"No. My heart maybe", he laughed.

"I'm being serious. I can't...you just can't buy me my own horse. Oh my God, this must have cost a fortune!"

"Nothing is too good for my girl."

Emma shuddered slightly. She hadn't known she was "his girl" up until that very moment.

"I can't! You can't! Oh James this is too much! He's gorgeous but I can't accept such a gift. I don't deserve it. You must take him back..."

"Of course you deserve this, my angel", he said, planting a tiny kiss on her forehead. "You deserve this horse and anything else your heart desires. I would never deny anything you wanted."

"Oh James..."

"I love you, Emma. Just think of this as the start of the farm and the huge house you and I are going to have someday."

"Yeah...someday", Emma muttered softly.

It was the grandest present anyone had ever given her and Emma was quite overwhelmed. She had no idea that James' feelings ran that deeply for her. He was a nice fella and she certainly enjoyed the companionship but thoughts of horses, farms and living in a big house with James had never crossed her mind. It was like a fantasy world and one that only existed in far off dreams. Quickly needing a dose of reality, Emma ended their evening with a polite kiss on the cheek and headed over to the one place where she felt most comfortable.

"Hey you", she said grabbing a basketball lying on the ground. "You and me, one on one. First one to score twenty wins."

Gerry looked up and couldn't help but grin.

"When did you get so athletic? And what kind of jump shot do you expect to make in those heels?"

"Never mind that, Bertier. Quit with the excuses. Afraid you're gonna get your butt whipped by a girl?"

"Is that a challenge?"

"Most certainly is."

"Then you're on. I'm shirts, you're skins", he winked.

"In your dreams buddy! Now come on."

They laughed and talked and teased each other as they shot hoops into the basket mounted on a large tree in the Bertier's backyard. Emma, barefoot, squealing with delight as Gerry chased her around and stole the ball countless times even from a wheelchair.

"Twenty-one, I guess I win", Gerry laughed as he sunk a three pointer. "That's game."

"No fair", Emma pouted.

"Fair and square, Miss Hoyt. I do admit, you did pretty good for being dressed up in that fancy get up."

"Thanks", she laughed.

"What was the occasion? Another date with Moneybags?"

"His name is James and yes it was a date. Why? You jealous?"

"Not me", Gerry grinned.

"Good. That's real good to know."

"What did he buy you this time, the Hope Diamond?"

"No."

"What then? A car? Wait, a new house. Let me guess...your own yacht!"

"Gerry Bertier, you are being obnoxious!"

"Okay, okay. I was just teasing."

"A horse."

"Huh?"

"He bought me my own Clydesdale."

Gerry burst out laughing, his entire upper body in convulsions until tears ran down his cheeks.

"And what is so funny?"

"That guy....what a knucklehead! Whoo..."

"Gerry..."

He continued to laugh and when she could no longer pretend to be angry with him, she laughed too.

"So now what?" Gerry asked when he finally regained his composure.

"I don't know but I think he might ask me to marry him soon. Says he sees us in a big house with a farm and lots of horses and animals."

Gerry, serious for a moment, shrugged thoughtfully. "What are you gonna do? I mean, maybe you should see yes. James can be a real dork sometimes but for the most part he's a good guy. He could give you nice things, make you happy."

Emma cringed at Gerry's words. The very thought of him telling her to be with another man made her sick.

"I don't need things to make me happy, Gerry. I don't know, it's sort of complicated. I like James and he is a good man and I know I would be able to live a comfortable life and want for nothing but..."

"But what?"

"When I look into my future ten years or so from now, I just can't imagine any kind of life with James."

"Well what do you see? What makes you happy?"

"You."

The word kind of just rolled off her tongue before her mind had a chance to process it.

"Emma, what are you saying?" he tried to laugh.

"I...I don't know. That I love you, maybe."

"Emma, that's crazy talk."

"Why? You loved me once. We were so good together and so happy..."

"That was years ago. It's over now."

"Is it? It's not for me, Gerry...it was never over."

"Emma..."

"What? I do love you Gerry and I want to be with you more than anything. If you don't feel the same way then I'll drop it and never bring it up again but I need for you to look me in my eyes and tell me you don't want me."

"Emma...I...I'm in a wheelchair."

"Really?" she smiled. "I hadn't noticed."

"Emma, I'm serious. You deserve better. You deserve a normal guy with healthy legs that can walk and be a whole man and give you everything you need."

"Is that so? All I want is a good man with a good heart and a good head on his shoulders. Someone who is kind and makes me laugh...someone like you. You're everything I need, Gerry. Always have been. I don't give a hoot about that wheelchair. You're the same man I fell in love with when I was five years old."

"Emma..."

"Gerry, don't say a word."

"But Emma..."

With that, she plopped down onto his lap and kissed him as passionately as she ever had. It brought tears to her eyes when he kissed back.

"Now will you shut up, you old stubborn mule?" she grinned.

"Emma, I'm serious. I mean, are...are you sure?"

"More sure than I've ever been my whole life. All I need to hear is that you love me, Gerry."

"I do, sugar. With all my heart."