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Laughing, he picked up Jolie and swung her in a circle. “They’re fantastic. I love them.”

She squeezed him back. “I know you’ve got a plain pair, but these were fun.”

“They are. I’ve gotta say a few months ago, I wouldn’t have known what to say about these, but I love them. They’re perfect. I’ll think of you and smile every time I wear them. Now, come on, it’s apparently the day for fun surprises. I’ve got a couple waiting for you at the clearing.”

He tucked the boot box under one arm and grabbed Jolie’s hand.

It was only a minute before she spotted the winter coop through the trees. She gasped and squeezed his hand. “You’ve started the winter coop?”

She tugged on his hand until they were jogging the final stretch to the clearing.

He waved at the coop. “Duckington Palace is ready for occupancy.”

Jolie’s eyes misted with tears even as she laughed. “Duckington Palace. I love it. And it’s finished. You built it all. It fits perfectly here. It’s amazing. You’re amazing.”

He was ready when she flung herself into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. His Jolie wasn’t shy about sharing her joy.

He spun her in another circle while she laughed. Then she framed his face and kissed him with enough passion, his knees wobbled.

“You’re an amazing man, Ford Evans. I love you so much.”

That was a perfect segue he couldn’t ignore. He carried her over to where he’d stacked his tools near the ATV, ready for their return trip to the barn.

He slid Jolie down until her feet touched the ground, then kissed her again.

Then he grabbed the box he’d put on the ATV. “This one’s for you.”

She grinned. “Looks like it’s the day for happy surprises.”

He hoped she was even happier in a few minutes. “Open it.”

Her eyebrows shot up at his gruff tone, but she tore into the package with her usual enthusiasm. He imagined she’d been full of fun at Christmas as a kid. Hell, she’d be a lot of fun now. Christmas was going to be a blast.

When she saw the pattern on the rubberized material, Jolie’s eyes misted again even as a smile bloomed on her face.

She looked up at him. “You remembered that conversation?”

He nodded. They’d talked about this one of her first days on the farm. “I remember everything about you. Take them out.” Not that he’d tell her yet, but there was another surprise hidden within.

She stood and pulled the waders out of the box and held them up in front of her. The deep blue pattern was covered in mermaids. He wasn’t sure if her smile could grow any wider.

“They’re absolutely perfect, Ford. You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted a pair exactly like these. Where did you find them?”

He shrugged. “I had to custom order them.”

Her mouth gaped open, and she dropped the bright waders to throw herself at him again. “You’re the most amazing man I know. I can’t believe you did this for me.”

He chuckled. “The company I worked with had a lot of fun with the order. I’m betting they can make others if you want them.”

She shook her head. “These are perfect. I love them. I’m going to try them on.”

In moments, she’d slipped off her boots and into the waders. Watching her pull on bright blue overalls covered in mermaids was so much sexier than it sounded.

They fit perfectly and she spun in circles to show them off. “They’re amazing. You’re perfect.”

She patted the pockets and oohed and aahed over how many sample bottles she could carry.

And she finally found the small box he’d put inside the front pocket.