Epilogue
Thanksgiving, Ribbon Ridge
There were so many people at the Archers’ Thanksgiving dinner that they were spread out over three rooms and just as many tables. There were Archers and Westcotts, and children and George and Ruby, and a few friends, such as Crystal. It was a massive undertaking, but Luke knew that Rob and Emily Archer were delighted to do it. And between seven children and their spouses, plus the added guests, they had plenty of hands on deck. Luke and Kelsey had brought yams and an apple pie. It turned out Kelsey was an excellent baker. If he wasn’t careful, he’d be twice his size come next year.
Seated at the large table in the kitchen, he stretched his legs out after dinner, satisfied in every way possible. He draped his arm across the back of Kelsey’s chair beside him and let his fingers graze her shoulder. The diamond ring in his pocket felt heavy, which was silly. It wasn’t really—he was just exceedingly aware of its presence.
And unbearably excited about it.
He looked over at Kelsey and grinned like an idiot. As if she could feel his stare, she turned her head. A bemused expression stole over her features. “What?”
He shook his head. “Later.” He planned to pop the question before dessert so that they could announce their happy news over pie.
Assuming she said yes. He realized it was fast, but he wanted to spend his life with her. And he wanted everyone to know it.
Last week, they’d closed the case on Noah’s death, ruling it an accident. The evidence had revealed that he’d fallen down the hill and struck his head on the rock. The result had been a massive brain hemorrhage, and he’d died almost immediately. He’d also been—literally—fall-down drunk. With that behind them, it seemed they had a fresh beginning, and he was eager to move forward.
Rob Archer came into the kitchen from the dining room. “Can everybody come into the living room? We want to say a few things.” He smiled as he gestured through another doorway to the great room.
Luke stood and held Kelsey’s chair. They moved as a group into the living room, passing Rob on their way. Taking stock of everyone in the room, there had to be about thirty people, including the toddlers and babies.
Rob came in then and stood near the massive stone fireplace. “Thanks for coming today. It’s our pleasure to share Thanksgiving with all of you. We’re truly honored by your presence. And none more than my good friend George, who has something he’d like to say.”
George had been standing off to the side with Ruby. He took her hand, and they walked together to the fireplace. Luke had a pretty good idea what was going to come next, and he couldn’t have been more thrilled.
Putting his arm around Ruby, George looked around the room. “I’ve known most of you a long time. Which means you know me too. Or at least you think you do.” He chuckled as he glanced down at Ruby and gave her a squeeze. “This might surprise you—it sure surprised me, and in the best way possible.” He grinned much the way Luke had a few moments ago in the kitchen. “This lovely young thing standing beside me has agreed to be my wife.”
No one would ever know if he meant to say more, because the room simply erupted in cheers and excitement. One of the babies started to cry.
When Kelsey didn’t rush forward to hug her grandma, Luke turned to her and asked, “Did you know about this?”
She nodded, and he saw tears in her eyes. “She called me this morning right after he proposed. I think she wanted my permission.” She laughed as she swiped her fingers beneath her eyes.
Luke hugged her and kissed her forehead. His proposal could wait. He didn’t want to take a moment of the spotlight away from George and Ruby.
After everyone had finished mobbing the newly engaged couple, Luke and Kelsey took their turn. Luke shook George’s hand, but George pulled him into a fierce bear hug instead.
“I figure we’re family now, right?” He thumped Luke’s back before pulling away.
Luke coughed. “Good Lord, George. How much are you bench-pressing these days?” He grinned at the older man, who laughed in return.
Luke waited until Kelsey and her grandmother finished embracing before giving Ruby a hug too. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thank you. It’s quite a thing, isn’t it?” She put her arm around Kelsey and pulled her close. “And won’t Kelsey look lovely as my maid of honor?” She kissed Kelsey’s cheek.
Luke couldn’t dispute that. Kelsey looked lovely every single minute of every single day. “She certainly will.”
“I’ve decided to take a page from Kelsey’s book and cut back my hours at The Arch and Vine,” George called out, effectively silencing the group. “Sorry, but it’s time to embrace at least semiretirement so I can enjoy my bride.”
“I think that’s great,” Luke said to Kelsey. She’d gone down to working just two days a week at the pub, plus she’d help out as necessary, though that hadn’t come up yet. They’d both been surprised to realize they didn’t like working as much now that they’d found each other.
Kelsey smiled up at him. “Right? I knew you’d get it.”
After gorging themselves on five kinds of pie, Luke and Kelsey finally went home, where Luke immediately stripped and put on athletic shorts and a roomy T-shirt. “I need fat clothes,” he said.
Kelsey laughed. “Hey, I did the same thing. I just went straight for pajamas, though.”
He arched a brow at her. “You think you’re going to wear those for long?”
“At least until you digest a little!”
“Good point. Let’s see what we can hunt up on Netflix.” He turned and went into the living room.
A few minutes later, Kelsey joined him, but she didn’t sit. He turned to look at her standing at the end of the couch, staring at him, the chinos he’d been wearing in her hand.
She looked… He wasn’t sure what she looked, but it wasn’t necessarily good.
He muted the TV and turned to face her. “What’s wrong?”
She hesitated before saying, “I, uh, you left your pants on the bed. I was going to hang them up for you.” With her free hand, she held up her thumb and forefinger. Which held the diamond ring he’d planned to give her.
“Shit.” Really? That’s what he said? He jumped up. “I mean… Oops. I forgot that was in there.”
“I see.”
He laughed then, amused by the absurdity of the situation and his idiocy. “I’m not sure how I forgot, since I’d been planning to give it to you.” He added, “Obviously,” in case that needed to be said.
“When?”
“After dinner. Before dessert. Pretty much when George announced his engagement to your grandma.” He scrubbed his hand over his jaw. “I didn’t want to steal their thunder, so I decided to wait.”
Her mouth formed an O, but no sound came out. She held it out. “Here. You’re amazing. I love you.”
He realized there would be no better time than the present. He took the ring from her and stepped toward her, dropping to one knee. “Kelsey McDade, you’ve made me happier than I ever imagined. I never thought I’d find someone I’d want to share my life with. You’re my lover, my best friend, my soul mate. Will you marry me?”
She stared at him, her mouth open. At last, she nodded, slowly at first and then increasingly faster. He actually feared she might give herself whiplash.
“So that’s a yes, then?”
She stuck her left hand out, and he slipped the ring on her finger. It was a little too big, unfortunately. “We’ll get it sized,” he said.
She stared at it, holding her hand flat and then bringing it closer to her face. “Is this real?”
“Um, yes?” Of all the reactions he’d been expecting, that wasn’t it.
She laughed, then clapped her hand over her mouth. The diamond sparkled on her finger. She pulled her hand away and looked at the ring again. “That’s not what I meant. What I meant is this”—she looked down at him, her eyes pale and glistening, and gestured to him and back to her—“is this real?”
He stood and clasped her waist. “Absolutely,” he said softly.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Can we keep this to ourselves? Just for a bit. The weekend. I loved that you wanted my grandma and George to enjoy the spotlight. You are the best of men.”
He smiled down at her and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Whatever makes you happy.”
She tipped her head to the side, her mouth curving into a gorgeous grin. “That’s easy. You.”
Thank you so much for reading!