Love ~ a la mode

She spent a quiet, sinking sun hour in her kitchen slicing strawberries and braiding lattice.  She slipped her engagement ring into the pocket of her cornflower blue apron.  Her slender finger was bare; his token of love was protected from all this dough-rolling domesticity.  What goes into the perfect pie for your betrothed, your special guy?  Along with sifted flour and sugar bits, perhaps a midsummer’s day dream floats by loaded with snippets of hope and happiness as life together unfolds.  She incorporates these goodnesses into the dough, rocking a pin back and forth, back and forth.

Full of anticipation, and wanting to surprise, he jumps into the car and winds down the lane to a market in the old part of town for a pint of vanilla bean ice cream.

Two perfect pairs.

With a pie spade, she painstakingly cuts and then hands him the first slice.  A pin drops.

Their pupils dilate to let it all in.  Sugar and spice and everything nice fills the air.  This pie holds its shape nicely and it exudes a romantic red glow under its flaky crust;  his fork tinks on the plate.

Side by side they sit as she watches him explore his first bite.  He tries but can’t hold back a broad smile.  With sweet satisfaction, she lays his heart bare by stating, rather than asking, “You just fell in love with me all over again.”