He seems puzzled for a moment. “What do I think about our children being wildly successful and incredibly happy? It’s absolutely what I always expected.”
She laughs and crosses to where he’s sitting. He moves the pile of files and pulls her into his lap.
“They’re giving up the big city to live in a small town,” she says, sliding her hand behind his neck and threading her fingers into his hair.
He nods. “I believe that we both did the same. I gave up Washington, D.C., and harassing the President of the United States on a regular basis to live here.” He looks at me, then over at Graham. “It makes complete sense this is where they finally settle.”
My mom bends to kiss him. “I always knew you were a genius.”
I roll my eyes and look at my brother, who’s grinning at my parents with the same affection I always feel when I watch them together. Then I look up at the man beside me.
I have a few things to talk to Everett about. Like if he’ll marry me.
This man is going to bechosen. He’s going to know that I want him, love him, and don’t want to live another day without him asmine.
“Maybe we should find some privacy,” I tell him.
He chuckles. “Here? In Sapphire Falls?”
I grin and nod, taking his hand and tugging him into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, he starts to pull out a stool at the breakfast bar where we have spent so much time talking and… doing other things. But I shake my head. I have another idea.
I pull him toward the back door, grab our coats from the wall hooks, then drag him through the garage and out to the driveway.
“Where are we going?” he asks when he’s in the passenger seat of my car, and we’re headed out of town toward a spot where I know we won’t be interrupted.
“This is small-town Nebraska,” I tell him. “There are all kinds of back roads and little nooks and crannies where we can tuck away and hide out for a little bit.”
He turns on his seat. “Are you telling me that all this time we could have found places to spend time alone? With plenty of privacy?”
I giggle. “Yup.”
Ten minutes later, we’re bumping over the dirt path that’s thankfully still frozen enough that I don’t have to worry about getting my tires stuck in the mud.
I pull into the packed-dirt area where our friend group builds bonfires and parties when the weather is nice.
“What’s this place?” Everett asks.
“The site of many important conversations, very good times, and life-changing moments,” I tell him.
I turn off the car and pivot to face him.
“And which will this be?” he asks.
I grin, then slip across the seat and into his lap, straddling his thighs. I cup his jaw in my hands, studying the face that has become so familiar and so beloved.
“All of the above.”
His hands are resting on my hips, and I feel his fingers curl in, holding me tighter. “I love you.” His voice is gruff.
“I love you too.”
“Let’s ask each other at the same time.”
I nod, knowing exactly what he’s talking about.
“One, two, three,” he counts off.
