Chapter 73
As Bobbi continued spouting off wild accusations in the car, McKenna parked the car at the bottom of the driveway in front of the barricade, then shot off a quick text to Nate. She thinks we’re engaged.
“What is this? Why are all these people here? Don’t tell me this is an engagement party.” Bobbi yanked off her seat belt and twisted to face McKenna. “Or is this your wedding?”
Okay. McKenna had reached her limit of ridiculousness, and considering everything that had happened the past three weeks, McKenna considered that a pretty high threshold.
She unlocked the door and climbed out of the car while Bobbi did the same.
“Would you settle down and try thinking rational thoughts for one solid minute?”
“I refuse to be your maid of honor,” Bobbi said, slamming her door shut.
“How about a solid ten seconds?” McKenna said, starting up the driveway.
“Where’s this husband of yours? Shouldn’t he be here to greet you?” Bobbi folded her arms and wrinkled her nose. “And what’s with all the stupid chickens?”
“They’re not stupid. They’re charming.” Maybe they should stop to meet the goats. Bobbi could chew their ears off for a while.
The sound of a guitar and a woman’s voice drifted toward them as they neared the top of the driveway.
“What is that? Who’s singing?” said Bobbi.
“No idea.” McKenna was pretty sure she would’ve remembered an act like that from the auditions. “Bobbi, listen.” McKenna grabbed Bobbi’s hand and tugged her to a stop. “I know you’re tired and upset right now, but could you please just . . . not be so tired and upset right now?”
“You made it!” Nate rushed toward them from the side of the house as the music ended and sounds of cheering and clapping took over. If anything, Bobbi looked even more tired and upset.
“Did you get my text?” McKenna asked before he reached them.
“Text?” He patted his back pocket, then twisted toward the house before facing her again. “Uh, no. Sorry. A lot’s been going on. What did it say? Nice to see you again, by the way.” Nate smiled and held out a hand to Bobbi.
She folded her arms across her chest. “How well do you even know my sister?”
“Who’s singing?” McKenna said, hoping to end the interrogation as another song started up.
“Tricia and Guy Scampy,” shouted both Georgie and Barb as they hurried to join them at the top of the driveway.
“Tricia and Guy Scampy?” said McKenna, looking to Nate. “The Tricia and Guy Scampy?”
“Isn’t it great?” said Georgie.
“Everyone loves them,” said Barb.
“You should see Lottie’s face,” said Georgie.
“What kind of job do you even have?” said Bobbi, glaring at Nate.
“A good one. Let’s talk more at our seats.” Nate gave McKenna an intense look. “I made sure to save enough chairs for all of us who made it. And everyone has made it. Everything is just as it should be.”
Bobbi squinted up at Nate. “Why are you talking like that? I hope that’s not how you talked when you proposed.”
“Oh, honey, Nate didn’t propose,” said Barb with a little giggle before turning serious. “Nate, did you propose?”
“Show them the ring,” said Bobbi.
“I still can’t believe Tricia and Guy Scampy are here,” said McKenna with a forced laugh. “Hey, Bobbi, aren’t they playing that one song that you love? I think they are. We just heard it on the radio. ‘Notepad Love’ or something like that? Let’s get to our seats, so we can hear it better.”
“Why didn’t you tell anyone that you and Nate got engaged?” said Bobbi, not budging.
“So you two really are engaged?” said Georgie, not budging either.
“We really should make an effort to get to those seats before the song ends,” said Nate, still giving McKenna the intense look. She gave him the same intense look back. Didn’t he see that herding these people along was like trying to herd kittens out of a room full of loose yarn?
“Might as well wear your ring,” said Bobbi. “No point hiding it inside your bag any longer.”
“But isn’t that ring—” started Barb until a bumbling British voice cut her off.
“Bobbi? You’re here. I’m-I’m-I’m so happy you’re here.”
Everyone stopped talking and focused on the giant hulk of man lumbering toward them. “Oliver,” Bobbi said, suddenly breathless. “What are you doing here? And why are you holding a chicken?”
He looked down at the feathered creature and lifted a shoulder. “I honestly don’t know.”
Bobbi giggled and ran toward him. He had just enough time to lower the chicken before Bobbi was in his arms and he was lifting her against his chest. “I missed you,” he murmured against her hair.
“Oh, Oliver, you have no idea how glad I am to see you.” Bobbi’s feet dangled in the air as Oliver continued holding her tight.
McKenna exhaled, letting the stress of the past twenty-four hours, maybe the past thousand hours, roll off her shoulders as the melody of Tricia and Guy’s song floated around them like the soundtrack from a movie.
She smiled at Nate. Oliver was here. And Bobbi was inside his arms. And a real celebrity concert was taking place. How in the world had they managed to get Tricia and Guy Scampy here? She’d have to find out later.
Right now she just wanted to soak up this perfect moment. The one she’d been waiting forever to see. McKenna even managed to toss the ring box to Oliver so that he caught it in one hand while still holding Bobbi.
Nate’s hand slipped inside McKenna’s. He gave her a wink. She squeezed his hand and did her best version of a wink back, then freed her hand so she could dig her camera out of her shoulder bag.
Her baby sister was about to get engaged. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.
Tricia’s voice started to wind down, the song nearly done. It was almost over. All the twists and turns. All the thwarted plans. The moment had finally arrived for Oliver to pop the question.
McKenna lifted her camera.
Except Oliver didn’t have time to ask anything. Bobbi had already pushed herself out of his arms and was dropping to both knees as the final note rang, her words rushed and shaky. “Oliver, will you marry me? Please?”
The song ended. And in that brief pause before all the applause started, everyone heard Oliver say loudly and clearly, without a single stumble or stutter, one simple word.
“No.”
Click.