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“Ammie kidnapped us!” Beatrice said.

“For the greater good!” Agnes added.

“You’re gonna get me in trouble.”

“I’m the mayor,” Jade said with a shrug. “I can do whatever I want.”

“You definitely can’t.” I sighed and rolled my eyes. That was when I saw the crowd of people. We were at the entrance to the spring. Everyone in town who wasn’t working was gathered here.

“What’s going on?”

Jade cleared her throat. “I have a surprise for you.”

“You do?”

She held up a hand. “But first, you have to promise you’re not going to get mad at us for trespassing.”

I let out a laugh. “I would be a pretty big hypocrite if I got mad at people for trespassing on this land.”

“Good. Then follow me.”

Everyone went. I hadn’t seen the town of Strawberry Springs collect like this in a long time. Not since Kevin was threatening the very land we stood on.

We walked through the field to the larger space of open land. I was expecting to go back and see the water like I usually did. Ever since I turned this into a public park, many people came by here.

Instead, we came to a clearing. It wasn’t close enough to see Hugh’s house, but it was marked with tiny red flags.

“What’s this?”

“A section of land. It’s proposed to become a new house.”

I slowly nodded. “We were talking about houses, but here? And why does the whole town have to be here for this?”

In the crowd, I heard a squeal. I turned to see Kerry covering her mouth. She looked like she was witnessing the greatest moment of her life.

I’d never been more confused.

But then I turned back around and saw Jade had gotten onto one knee.

My heart stuttered in my chest.

“What are you doing?” I asked in a panic.

“We’ve talked about this, but neither of us have made the move. So, this is me making the move.” She took a breath and got something out of her pocket. For a second, I thought it would be a ring. Instead, it was a crystal.

“This is a ridiculously expensive emerald. It’s the highest quality, and it means deep commitment and eternal love.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “I want to start a life here. I want to build a house and have chickens and be near the place where we spent our childhood.”

“Please take the chickens!” Cain yelled. “I have too many!”

“Shut the fuck up!” Mollie hissed next to him.

Jade rolled her eyes, but her smile didn’t fade.

“Do you really think there’s any other answer you’ll get? Of course I do.”

“So, you’ll sell the land to me?”

I laughed. “I’m not selling the land to you. I’m building the house. And it’s gonna be the biggest, best house you’ve ever seen.”