No, no, no. This wasn't the way this was supposed to go, and Sam mentally kicked herself for spoiling the fun morning of just being together that Jack had gone to the trouble to plan. "I do want to marry you," she said, wishing her hands weren't full of towels and his weren't full of picnic basket so she could hug him. "I wouldn't be wearing your ring if I didn't."

She stopped walking, turning to face him despite the armful of towels. "I love you, Jack. I love waking up with you, I love falling asleep with you... I want to marry you."

There was that but again, hanging there even though she hadn't said it. Why? What was her deal, her hangup?

"Please just be patient with me?" she asked, her voice smaller than she liked.