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“Shut up.” I laugh, but there’s no denying the warmth spreading through my chest, my whole body.

“Fine, keep your secrets.” Quinn’s grin softens, and her eyes take on that protective, little sister look she gets when she’s about to get serious. “But… you deserve this, Abs.”

My throat tightens. “Do I?”

“Yes.” Her voice is firm, leaving no room for doubt. “After everything you’ve been through… it’s okay to let yourself be happy again.”

I blink back the sudden sting in my eyes.

“I am happy,” I whisper, the words feeling more real with every breath.

“Good.” Quinn’s smile widens. “Now, let’s finish these lights before Jake decides we’re taking too long and takes over.”

Beck arrives later that morning and pulls Jake outside for a man to man talk. He loves spending time with Jake, so I figure it’s just to throw some balls around.

But no. Jake comes flying into the porch, yelling through the screen door. He’s breathless and obviously excited to have a duty given to him by Beck. It’s apparently for me to get moving.

“Mom, hurry up!”

Jake’s voice echoes from the front yard, his excitement practically vibrating through the air.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” I call out, wiping my hands on my jeans as I follow Jake and Quinn toward the driveway.

When I step outside, my breath catches.

Beck is standing beside his truck, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Get in, both of you. Okay, Spotty you too.” Leaving Quinn at my house baking, per her usual, we drive a few miles to the outskirts of Elmwood when he pulls over and takes out two blindfolds.

Jake is all-in for any adventure, so he puts his on without delay. But me? I begin to ask question after question. Where are we going? Why the blindfold? What are we going to see? Will there be animals? What about bugs? When…

“Stop! In the name of everything good in mother nature. Stop!” Beck interrupts. “Remember our discussions about trust and how trust between us will be essential?”

Well, yeah, okay. He’s got me there.Okay. I clap my mouth shut, place the blindfold over my eyes and wait. When we stop a few minutes later, I slip out of my seat to the ground and take Jake’s hand. With the noise Spotty is making, it’s all I can do not to rip the dreaded blindfold off. But I don’t.

Beck positions us facing the truck and tells us to take them off. So, we’re looking at the same truck as ever. No scrapes, no dents.So, what’s the deal?

And then I realize something. It’s not the truck, but it’s thehousebehind it that steals the air from my lungs.

A charming farmhouse, nestled just on the outskirts of town. White with blue shutters, a wraparound porch, and a yard big enough for Spotty to run wild.

There’s a sold sign in the front yard behind the white picket fence. My heart pounds in my chest.

“Beck…” My voice barely works as I take a step closer; my eyes locked on the house. “What is this?”

Beck’s smile softens; his eyes filled with something that makes my knees go weak.

“It’s for us,” he says softly, his gaze holding mine. “For you. For Jake.”

I blink, trying to process the words, but my brain isn’t cooperating.

“You bought a house?” My voice is barely above a whisper.

Beck nods, stepping closer until he’s right in front of me, his hands finding mine. “I wanted to give us a place where we could build a life. Ahome. It’s my wedding gift to you … but only if you want it, if you like it.”

Of course, I need to officially be asked to marry him and say yes. But that’s already a given in my heart.

My throat tightens, and I blink rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

“But… Beck…”