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INSIDE, I LEFT MALCOMB behind, embraced Bree and Nana Mama, and greeted all the family and friends who’d gathered to celebrate the engagement of John Sampson and Rebecca Cantrell.

I gave each of them a hug and offered my formal congratulations.

Rebecca said, “Thank you, Alex. You’ve made me feel like I’m part of a big, loving family.”

“You don’t know how good that makes me feel,” I said.

“I don’t have to give a speech, do I?” Sampson said.

“You can bet Nana Mama’s expecting one.”

“You should say something, John,” Rebecca said.

“Here,” I said, taking an envelope out of my pocket. “I found this in your pack in Idaho. I haven’t opened it.”

Sampson grinned and snatched it from my hands. “That’ll do.”

A few minutes later, we all picked up drinks and toasted the couple: “To John and Rebecca!”

“And me!” Willow said, holding both their hands.

“Of course and you,” Rebecca said.

“Speech, John Sampson,” Nana Mama yelled.

“No way out of it,” he said, holding the envelope. “I guess this says it all.”

He tore it open, took out a piece of paper, and cleared his throat.

“‘Dear Rebecca,’” he read. “‘I’m on a plane with Bree, who informs me that I have to be more romantic if I’m to keep our relationship alive for the long haul. So here’s my first attempt. When I met you, within a day I was thinking that you are one of the smartest, strongest, and most beautiful women I’d ever met.’”

A soft “Ahhh” rippled through the room. Rebecca put one hand on Willow’s shoulder and the other on her own heart.

John cleared his throat again. “‘Then I learned you were a widow, and I felt you understood loss. Within a week of knowing you, I felt for the first time since Billie’s passing that I really wanted to live again. I knew I was in love with you inside a month, which was not in my plans. Not at all.

“‘But you have a way of taking over someone’s heart without even trying, Rebecca Cantrell, and I guess—no, I know—it’s time you were in my plans for good. No matter what happens in this investigation I intend to come home and ask you to marry me and take my heart forever.

“‘Love, John.’”

There were actual tears rolling down Sampson’s cheeks when Rebecca jumped into his arms, and they kissed, and we all cheered for the new life they’d both been given.