Richard checked the time. Paris had gone to Polson with Andrea to look at some secondhand tables and chairs. On the way home, they were having dinner with Kylie and Ben at the Christmas tree farm. Ben had promised he wouldn’t let them leave before nine o’clock.
His mom placed her hand on his arm. “Don’t worry. It will be fine.”
He opened his arms and hugged her. “You’ve never told me how dad proposed to you.”
Carol laughed. “It wasn’t nearly as romantic as what you’ve done. We went to the last drive-in movie in our town. At the end of the movie, your dad stood on the trunk of his car and proposed to me.” She smiled at the grin on Richard’s face. “We were studying Romeo and Juliet at school. I think it was his balcony moment.”
“How old were you?”
“Seventeen.” Carol sighed. “I can still see him standing there, full of excitement for what lay ahead of us. Time goes by quickly, so make each day count with Paris. She’s a wonderful woman.”
“I will. I’m glad you married Dad.”
“So am I. And do you know what? I wouldn’t change a moment of our lives together. You were the icing on the cake.”
“Grandma! Come quick. The cookies smell like they’re burning.”
“Oh, dear. I forgot about them.” Carol spun around and rushed toward the back door.
Richard was right behind her.
Before they made it to the house, Ethan hurried outside holding a smoking cookie sheet. “They’re burned beyond redemption.”
Carol took one look at the cookies and pointed to the trash can. “Out they go. It’s just as well we still have plenty of others.”
They went inside and threw open the kitchen windows. Richard looked around the room. He never thought he’d own a home, let alone ask someone to share his life with him and Jack. But here he was, about to ask one of the most important questions of his life, and dreading what Paris would say.
Andrea pulled into Richard’s driveway. “I can’t believe the tables and chairs were so inexpensive.”
“We were lucky the seller wanted to get rid of them so quickly. They’ll look gorgeous in your café.” Paris unbuckled her seatbelt and stared at Richard’s house. There wasn’t one light on anywhere. “That’s strange. I’m sure Richard said to meet him here.”
“Maybe something happened. Check your cell phone.”
Reaching into her bag, Paris quickly found her phone and checked her texts and emails. “Nothing.”
“Maybe everyone’s in the backyard?” Andrea got out of her truck. “I can hear music.”
“Jack was talking about camping outside one night this week. Maybe that’s what they’re doing.”
“Let’s go around the back. Someone must be there.”
Paris looked at the neighbors’ houses. At first, she’d thought there must be a power outage, but other lights were on.
“Watch where you step,” Andrea said from ahead of her. “I nearly tripped over a paving stone.”
Paris turned on her phone’s flashlight. “Is that better?”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” A few seconds later, Andrea disappeared around the edge of the house.
Her gasp made Paris rush forward. “Are you okay?” As soon as she stepped into the backyard, she froze. The apple tree was glowing with twinkling fairy lights, and the swing Jack loved was wrapped in sheer fabric and even more lights.
“Look at the fence,” Andrea whispered.
Pink, purple, and red flower-shaped lights decorated the entire yard. It was like stepping into a fantastic dream, complete with someone playing a country ballad on a guitar.
Paris looked closer at the woman whose voice sent goose bumps along her skin. “Is that Willow?”
Andrea looked across the yard and smiled. “It is.”
