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“Before the Sheriff announces the winner of the First Annual NorthStar Cherry Festival. I want to bring the person responsible for all this up on stage. Ruby Cline, could you please come up here?”

My mouth falls open when my Ruby stands up. She’s wearing a short black dress that hugs her curves perfectly. Black heels add another three inches to her five-foot, eleven-inch frame, putting us eye to eye.

When she reaches us, the Mayor steps aside and I take my place in front of Ruby. I listen as the Mayor thanks Ruby for planting the seed in Cece’s ear and giving the town its newest festival. Theaudience stood and applauded. I waited until the applause died down before making my move.

I drop to one knee in front of her. “Ruby from the moment you sped into my life you’ve turned my whole world upside down. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.

“I’m sorry it took me a while. I was already blessed with one great love. I had no idea the good Lord had a second in store for me. I love you with all my heart. Will you do me the honor of spending every day for the rest of our lives together. I want to wake up next to you and go to sleep beside you. Make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?”

Tears track down her face.

“Yes.”

The moment she says yes, I pull the ring from my pocket. I chose a ruby for the center. It has a three carat round center stone with a halo of diamonds around it and diamonds around the band.

“You got me a ruby?”

“I did, spitfire.”

“I love you.”

The crowd burst into applause again. A standing ovation that lasted quite awhile.

Epilogue

Eleven months later

Ruby

“Mom, can you help me with the clasp?”

I smile at Jessi. She started calling me mom a couple of months before the twins were born. Effrem and I had a small ceremony here at the ranch on January twenty-fifth. Cece pulled off a miracle, getting it catered, and the family all together.

I made the cake with the help of my friends. And half the town showed up. We danced until my feet hurt and I’d downed two bottles of sparkling apple cider by myself.

I helped Jessi with the clasp on the strand of pearls I’d gifted her for her wedding. I purchased them new. While I’d gotten all the jewelry as part of the divorce, I sold it all and gave it to charity. Effrem and I are still deciding what to do with all that money.

Turns out I got just over half a billion. I’m thinking the town could use a small hospital or at least a clinic with hospital facilities. Once we have a few more ideas, we’ll run them past the town council. I surveyed my daughter’s dress. It’s a beautiful white mermaid style with thousands of crystal beads.

“You look stunning. You’re going to take his breath away.”

She hugs me and kisses my cheek.

“Thank you, mom. I can’t believe it’s my wedding day.”

“And Christmas Eve. Your father has the new sleigh all ready to carry off the happy couple.”

She laughs. “Of course he does. He’s been looking for a reason to decorate that thing ever since you found it. I’m surprised he didn’t hire a white carriage and matching horses.”

“I vetoed that idea.”

“I knew there was a reason I loved you.”

“Only one?”

“No. There are dozens. You’ve made my dad happy. I haven’t seen him smile like this since mom died. She always smoothed his rough edges and helped him bridge the gap between us. He learned to do that without her, but you add something to him. A softness that wasn’t there before. They way he looks at you and the twins.”

“Is the same way Kai looks at you and the reason your father let you marry before you graduate.”