And so now she waited, dressed in her favorite jeans and his favorite red shirt with the heart-shaped snap buttons. The red boots she wore were a barter for one of her tailored dresses. And in a lovely turn, the husband of the customer she’d bartered with had seen Lily’s portfolio via his wife and had hired her to photograph his handmade boots for a catalog. Business was looking up.

Things in general were looking up.

“Hey there, Lily Travis.” Click-clack-click-clack, Polly Chase approached where Lily had just loaded groceries into her car. She accepted the hug gratefully.

“Mrs. Chase, I wanted to thank you for the basket of books you sent my mother. She said it had all her favorites in it. I know she really appreciated seeing you too. I think she’s missing her friends.” In fact, Lily truly felt her mother’s friends would be the key to her long-term emotional and physical recovery.

“I imagine she might be feeling a little embarrassed. But frankly I think she’s doing the right thing. What woman wouldn’t need a little time away when a heapload of manure falls on her life. She already looks better. I’m glad to see it. And little Christopher! Girl, you did a great job with that one.”

“I lucked out. He’s a good kid. He’ll be okay I think. This camp he’s going to will teach him survival skills and all sorts of fun stuff. He’s talked about nothing but for weeks.”

“He’s all right then? About your mother?”

She nodded. “He amazes me. He’s been supportive and helpful. Looks like he made it to his junior year. So I’ll take it day by day.” Lily laughed.

“You surely do know how it has to be done. One day at a time because they’ll drive you nuts if you don’t. I wasn’t sure we’d survive all the fighting between Shane and Kyle, but we did and now they’re upstanding members of our community. Who’d have thought. All those grandbabies and gorgeous wives. And then of course we gained all the Murphy kids as our own too. Love those children.”

“You’re smooth.”

Polly laughed. “I’m old, honey, which means I get to be rude and everyone makes excuses for me. It’s the best. Anyway. I think you and Nathan were made for each other. I know he’s been keeping all this secret for you until school is out, but it’s out now and I just saw him down the Sands grabbing pie. He told everyone it was for you. Not a time waster, that boy.”

Lily hurried. “I’m supposed to meet him at my house shortly. I’ll see you on Sunday when I photograph the items for the auction catalog.”

Polly hugged her. “Of course. And then for dinner.” She kissed Lily’s cheek and click-clacked off, waving and calling out orders as she went. “Don’t be late or Shane will be grumpy. That boy loves to eat.”

Nathan stalked right up to her door and knocked.

She opened with a smile he quickly tasted until he made them both a little wobbly. “Good evening, Miss Travis. Our reservation is in fifteen minutes.” He looked her over and was sorry for it. She wore a pair of jeans that showed off miles of legs and her curves all at once. The shirt was exactly what he liked about her wardrobe, a mix of sweet Americana and red-hot siren. Her hair was in two pigtails. Red, shiny lips and big brown eyes. She was one hundred percent dy***ite.

“So soon?” She slid a palm up his chest. “I was hoping, you know, for something naked and sweaty first.”

He groaned and took her hand, kissing the palm. “Stop that. Minx. We have plans and if I pause to disrobe you, we aren’t leaving for the weekend. You’re coming to my place tonight so I can debauch you properly at least three times.”

“Like I’m gonna argue. Though I will say I’d be just fine going to your place to get started on said evening’s plans.”

He took her hand and twirled her. “Nope. We got some dancing to do. And a little bit of public marking of territory. Come on. I want everyone to see you and know how lucky I am.” He guided her toward the car.

“You’re not going to pee on me are you?”

He laughed. “God you’re twisted.”

“I should hope so. I have to keep my game sharp or the floozies will be after you.”

He helped her in and then came to join her, leaning across the seat to get close enough to kiss her. “You’re the only floozie I want.”

True to his word, he took her to dinner, doting on her, laughing, kissing her fingertips and letting everyone know they were an item.

Out on the dance floor at the Tonk he pulled her close, swaying. She put her head over his heart, reassured by the beat there. “Doesn’t matter who knows. You understand that, right?”

“I do, but for my own reasons. What are yours?”

She looked up into his face. “I love you either way. Doesn’t matter who knows it as long as you do.”

He grinned and swooped in for a sound kiss. “You do?”

She nodded.

And that’s when he dropped to one knee and held up a ring box. “Then make me the happiest man on earth and marry me.”

She froze. Her eyes widening. “Nuh uh! Really? Jeez, Nathan! We’ve hardly been dating.”

A crowd had circled them and a few chuckles sounded.

“Really. And hardly been dating? I’ve loved you for going on a decade. That’s not rushing. I know you, Lily Travis.”

That got some awwws.

“I want babies. With you. I want a life. With you. I want you at my side forever. Let me be your man. Tell me you trust me with your heart and our babies.”