Seth ran a careful finger along the scooped neck of Jessica's top. She'd turned the harsh overhead lights off, and only the glow of a single lamp lit the room. He traced her neck, pausing to feel her pulse as it throbbed beneath his finger. It was late, and they were alone. He slipped his warm palm behind her neck and leaned in to kiss her. She was so warm and alive, and she smelled so good. He loved the delicate scent she wore, that hint of lavender that always lingered in his clothes. He let his hands wander down her shoulders, trace her sides and then rest gently on her hips. They were alone, and they had nowhere to be. Jessica wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed against him.

"Oh, Seth," she murmured, as his hands began to search for the zipper of her skirt.

Seth jolted awake, heart pounding. He scrubbed his face, and took several long, slow breaths to slow his heartrate. It had been many years since he'd had a dream as vivid and disruptive as that. Small wonder given how evenings with his fiancée progressed. But she's not your fiancée, a small voice reminded him. Not yet, he thought firmly. And after tonight's dream, the sooner, the better.

He'd given a great deal of thought on how exactly he should propose to Jessica. She was a shrewd, observant woman. No doubt she was expecting a proposal. And no doubt she knew almost down to the very day Seth had planned one. She knew as well as he the familiar rules of courtship from their day. What he hadn't anticipated was their desire for one another. He thought Jessica might be comfortable with moving their relationship forward, okay with it, in today's parlance, but he wasn't. He already felt some guilt at how far their makeout sessions-he smiled at the term-had gone. He wasn't some randy young lad. He was a mature man, a caring and gentle man, if a bit gruff. He loved Jessica, had admired her for many years as an attractive, elegant woman of sense before getting to know her more intimately. He'd often borne the brunt of her unusual humor and flirtatious manner. As their friendship progressed, he noticed that she flirted with him less and less, which conversely gave him hope. Jessica was a terrible flirt, and it was a bit of harmless fun that couldn't, that wouldn't go any further. As they grew closer, her teasing banter was replaced with deeper, more meaningful conversations, her saucy glances became more piercing and lingering. He nearly shivered at the thought. He had been afraid to trust the evidence collected by his heart. He doubted even as she kissed him that first time. But as he allowed himself to relax into their second kiss, he could feel the truth of what she'd admitted.

But thoughts of kissing Jessica weren't getting him any closer to his ultimate goal of being her husband, and his heart lifted at the thought. He glanced out the window. The sun was just coming up. "Spooner's Mill," he said aloud. "Spooner's Mill is where I'll propose to you, Jessica Fletcher!" He kicked his legs out of the tangled bedsheets and reached for his robe. He had much to accomplish today.

"Can you check the setting and give it a good polish?"

"A-yuh, I can. Won't take but a minute." Mr. Zimmerman held the ring up to the light. "Bezel cut. Aquamarine. Looks to be over a carat. 1 1/2 maybe? Wrapped by uh...16 small diamonds-good quality. Platinum setting. Yes sir, Doc, this is a mighty fine ring."

"Belonged to my mother."

"It's lovely. Mint condition." Mr. Zimmerman folded his jeweler's loupe and glanced at Seth shrewdly. "You and Mrs. Fletcher have been keeping company for quite some time now."

"We were friends for many years. We're more now," replied Seth circumspectly.

"As I recall, her ring size is seven. This ring is just a bit larger. I could put a guard in, for safety's sake."

"A guard might be a very good idea. Then someone else might be able to wear it. My daughter, for example."

"My apologies," Mr. Zimmerman offered hastily. "I didn't mean to imply..."

Seth threw up a hand. "It's quite alright, Mr. Zimmerman. As it so happens, my daughter's ring size is seven also." An outright lie, but for a good cause...privacy. "That guard should work perfectly. How soon can you have it ready?"

"I can have it for you by close of business today, Doc."

"A-yuh," muttered Seth agreeably. "I'll be back, then."

Mr. Zimmerman watched thoughtfully as Seth left the shop and turned left down the street. Headed to the diner, probably. Perhaps to meet Mrs. Fletcher. He smiled shrewdly. Let him have his small fiction, he thought as he picked up the phone and dialed Loretta's.

Saturday dawned bright and lovely. Seth was up with the sun, pleased that the forecasters had been right. He wasn't due to pick up Jessica for another couple of hours, but he had a few things to occupy his time. He whistled as he gathered the picnic blanket and the few odds and ends he'd collected yesterday afternoon. He'd just run up to Spooner's Mill, stow everything in what he privately referred to as their spot, then head home for quick shower before picking up Jessica. Yes, indeed. It was going to be a mighty fine day.

"A bit late in the morning for us to be heading to Spooner's Mill, isn't it?"

Seth guffawed. "You're too smart for your own good, woman. How did you guess?"

"You gave me excellent clues. Wear comfortable clothes and good shoes. Be ready by 9. Bring water."

Seth held out his hand for Jessica to hold. "The day's too beautiful to be too sneaky."

"I thought you didn't trust the forecasters?"

"Not always, but today they proved up." Jessica laughed and Seth squeezed her hand. "Happy, Jess?"

"I am," she said contentedly.

"I've noticed over the years that you're almost always happy. You never seem to let the little things get you down. And I don't think I've ever heard you complain."

"That's a fair number of compliments, Dr. Hazlitt. Are you feeling alright?"

Seth's laughter filled the car. "Better than alright. I'm taking my best girl to our favorite spot on the prettiest day we've had since I don't know when." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Careful now," she chided gently.

Seth smiled and released her hand. "Two hands on the wheel from here on out, my dear. And you very neatly sidestepped my observations. Have you always been such a happy person?"

"I suppose so. Growing up, we were discouraged from wallowing. Father in particular had very strong opinions on the subject. He felt that no good could come from, I suppose today we would say overanalyzing, our feelings. He and Mother both taught us the importance of caring for others rather than focusing so much attention and energy on one's self. My parents were both very civic-minded and they certainly set an example for us. Duty, responsibility, loyalty. Those values were inculcated in us from a very early age."

"A-yuh. Richard and I were raised in a similar way. I've often wondered if that's why I became a doctor. To help people, certainly, but Mother was very keen on purpose. Felt you couldn't lead a full, rewarding life unless you cultivated your purpose. I suppose she saw something in me from an early age. She encouraged me. Without her, I might well never have been a doctor. Who knows what I might have been? And then we might not have met." He paused. "Not a pleasant thought."

"No, it isn't. I don't want to imagine my life without you in it."

"Well, you don't have to, woman. I'm right here. Knowing you has given me so much joy."

"And no small amount of aggravation?" Jessica asked slyly.

"Frustration might be a more accurate word." He waggled his eyebrows and Jessica's merry laughter pealed through the car.

"I'd say you know exactly what to do about that, Doctor." Jessica could see Seth's surprised reaction in her peripheral vision.

"Just wait til we get to Spooner's Mill, woman."

"Is that a threat or a promise?"

"You'll have to wait and see."

A/N: And so, dear readers, will you! Thanks for reading and reviewing!