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“Of course it is,” Sarah said as everyone else pretended not to listen. “And don’t worry, Dad and I know what to do now if Libby wakes up. You stay put and get some sleep.”

As they talked, Katherine tried to act casual as she washed dishes, but it wasn’t easy when she could feel that many eyes on her.

“Thanks, Mom,” Matthew finally said, kissing Sarah on the cheek. “You’re the best.”

Then everyone watched as Matthew walked up behind Katherine and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Got a minute to walk my folks out?”

“Of course.” She wiped her hands on a dish towel before kissing her mother on the cheek. “Thanks for tonight, Mom. This was really great.”

“Yes, it was,” Sarah agreed. “Thank you for having us over.”

Mrs. Bennett thanked Sarah for coming, handing her a brown paper bag filled with leftovers and an assortment of sweets. Then Sarah hugged Ginny and promised to have the entire Bennett family over for a barbecue on their riverfront property.

Watching their families make future plans was something neither Katherine nor Matthew expected.

“The kids are gonna love it,” Matt said once Sarah shared the idea with him on their way out the door. “The water’s deepenough for the adults and bigger kids to go inner-tubing but shallow enough by the bank for the little ones to splash around.”

“And when it’s dark out,” Sarah added, with a twinkle in her eye, “Matt builds a big bonfire for s’mores.”

When Ginny and Jerome’s grandchildren all cheered at the idea of s’mores and swimming, Libby joined them, her tiny hands clapping.

** *

When it was their turn to leave, Katherine gave long hugs to everyone and told them that she loved them. Hugging her father last, she whispered, “I don’t want you to worry about me, Daddy. Matthew and I will get around to having that talkwhen the time is right.”

“Talk?” Jerome glanced at Matthew.

“Yes, Daddy, and don’t play coy. I know you asked Matthew when he was going to have a serious talk with me.”

Instantly, her father paled.

“Oh, don’t do that.” Katherine grabbed his hand to reassure him she wouldn’t get hurt. “You shouldn’t worry so much. Everything’s gonna be alright. And don’t be mad at Matthew for telling me. We’ve promised to be completely honest with each other and not keep secrets.”

Jerome looked up as Matthew approached Katherine, resting his hands on her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, baby girl. I wasn’t tryin’ to tell either of you how to go about your business.”

“I know.”

“But I do appreciate you havin’ a man in your life who wants the best for you.” Jerome reached out to shake Matthew’s hand. “And I can understand wanting to wait for the right time.”

“Thank you for your confidence, sir.”

Just then, Katherine’s mother stepped forward, catching the tail end of the conversation. “Of course, we have confidence in you. Look how happy you’ve made our girl.” She beamed, looping an arm through her husband’s. “Darling, do you remember whenwefirst met?”

“Of course I do. But we were a lot younger than these two, so we were lucky we made it. Still, age and experience doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. There’s a whole lotta struggles in relationships, but the key is to not let anything get in the way of God’s plan. It’s what we’ve done all these years and look how far we’ve come.”

As Mr. Bennett spoke, the room around them grew silent while everyone became enraptured by his sentimental words.

“Isn’t he lovely!” Mrs. Bennett declared, with nothing less than pure admiration in her eyes. “I wish the very same love for all of you.”

** *

“Did you have a good time?” Katherine asked Matthew once they were buckled up and on the road. “Did you like everyone?”

“I did. Everyone was great.”

“What about Andrew, James, and Cameron?”