Page 69 of Make-Believe Match

“Thanks, Dad.”

“This issoromantic,” Kelly gushed. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

“Me too,” said Veronica. “Devlin, are you moving back home or will Lexi move to Boston?”

“For now, I’m going to move back to Michigan and help Lexi’s family restore Snowberry.”

“We were going to be forced to sell if he hadn’t offered to help,” Lexi said, gazing up at me with a smile. “He’s like an angel.”

“Gah! This is so sweet!” Veronica clasped her hands beneath her chin. “So Devlin, did you propose down on one knee? Was there a ring?”

“No knee, no ring,” I said. “Very spur of the moment.”

“But there was a friendship bracelet.” Laughing, Lexi held up her arm to show it off.

“One of the kids from Camp Lemonade gave it to me for my birthday,” I explained.

“Yes, and he showed up at my door with it and said, ‘Let’s get married!’” Lexi shouted. “And I was like, ‘This is crazy, but okay!’ Then we hopped on a plane. There really wasn’t time for a ring. Just the wedding bands.” She looked down at hers. “But it’s good enough for me. I’ve never been into diamonds anyway.”

“What matters is the size of the promise you’re making,” Veronica said. “Not the size of ring. Take it from me.”

Lexi was probably perplexed, but I knew that Veronica had ditched a wealthy, philandering groom at the altar right before she’d taken the job as Austin’s nanny.

“What did you wear?” Kelly asked.

Lexi grinned sheepishly. “Jeans and a Two Buckleys Home Improvement sweatshirt.”

Everyone laughed, and Austin shook his head. “As one of the two Buckleys on the shirt, I’m proud I was able to take part in some way.”

“We should have a party,” my dad said excitedly. “How about tomorrow night at the house?”

“I have to work tomorrow night,” Xander pointed out. “But don’t worry about me.”

“Why not have the party here?” suggested Kelly.

“We really don’t need a party,” Lexi protested.

“Of course you do!” My dad’s tone said he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “And even if you don’t, I do! I’ve got my first daughter-in-law, and I want to celebrate! Xander, would it be okay to have a party here tomorrow night for your brother and his wife?”

“Absolutely.” Xander nodded. “I’d be honored to have it here.” But when he looked at me, I had the feeling he knew something wasn’t quite on the level.

“Then it’s settled.” My father nodded and smiled widely, lines creasing his face but light in his eyes. “And of course, you’ll stay at the house tonight.”

“We don’t want to crowd you, Dad. We can get a hotel room.”

“Nonsense!” He waved a hand. “We’ve got all those bedrooms, and it makes me happy to fill them up with family again. I’ve offered Mabel’s old room to Kelly while she’s here, but your old room is all yours.”

He was so excited, I didn’t have the heart to decline. “Okay.”

“Thank you, Mr. Buckley,” said Lexi. “That’s very kind.”

“Call me Dad.” He smiled at her with a happiness that nearly broke my heart. “Please.”

* * *

Later that night, Lexi and I drove back to the house where I’d grown up. My dad had come home earlier and gone to bed, but he’d left the porch light on for us, the door unlocked. As soon as we stepped into the house, my dad’s dog, a German Australian Shepherd mix, came trotting into the front hall from the kitchen.

“Hey, boy.” I spoke softly, closing the door behind us. “Are you okay with dogs?” I asked Lexi.