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“If Maht I wouldn’t have to keep secrets I wouldn’t have to worry about Dad and Ryan saying anything mean”
“I’ to protect you like that,” I said seriously “I know she was the person who understood you and kept your heart safe I’ to be that person for you now”
“You are just straight out of a Hallmark movie sometimes,” she said, “but it still melts my heart”
“Good,” I said “Thursday night”
“I better see you before then,” she said
“You will” Still, I hardly saw her before Thursday I was on duty at the station or getting details set up for dinner I paid for the h my dad wanted to comp it because I was family I wanted to host the event myself, pick the menu, buy the flowers for the table, all of it I had on ht I hadn’t heard back fro with her When she arrived, she had on a navy-blue dress with polka dots, pretty as could be and h for church I could tell she was nervous and fidgety I put my arm around her and kissed the top of her head—just like I had the night I’d slipped up in front of her friends and been too affectionate
“Thank you for doing this,” I said to her “I’ve got you It’s going to be fine”
She looked up atme she didn’t believe it I made sure her dad was seated byhow nice it was to be out for dinner, being perfectly nice to my parents I could see that she relaxed a little as she talked to my mom about plants and the best time to put in petunias
“I’ve never had any luck with hydrangeas,” my mom said
“Where are you planting them? Is the soil acidic or e in the area?”
“I really couldn’t say I wanted a pair of bushes on either side of randma’s house when I was small”
“If you don’taround in a week or so, I could check out the planting options and tell you which hybrid would be best suited to your soil,” Sarah Jo offered
“That would be wonderful,” ratulatedEven Sarah Jo’s dad was acting fairly nor alcohol or sympathy
After the spinach salad with blueberries and pecans, I proposed a toast with sparkling cider
“I’d like to take a , and especially to thank Sarah Jo for being everything I’ve waited and hoped for all my life Mr Winters, I’hter is, how like hershe is What I really wanted tonight was for both faet used to the idea of us being a couple Because I’ anywhere I’m of a mind that a man should count himself lucky to meet one such woh to never let her go To Sarah Jo For your strength and compassion and loyalty”
She was blushing red up to her hairline, a pleased smile on her face, almost bashful Everyone drank to it, and I coaxed her out of her chair to put my arm around her and kiss her cheek “I love you,” I said softly, where only she could hear I loved tucking her under ed there I had never been happier, standing there with everyone I loved together I looked away froh to see ot the soup, served it, and went to the door, n was in place There Ryan was outside the glass doors I shook ment I unlatched the door
“Are you here to join us? The only thingat this fa but not really believing that he was there to be supportive
“Yeah,a bottle of wine “Even brought drinks I knew you’d have a dry party You could use so to liven it up”
Ryan made his way to the table I looked at the rest of theed it all so carefully, down to the three low candles flickering in the rilled to perfection waiting to be served as the entrée But now there was Ryan I wanted to tell him to leave before he ruined it, before he knocked over o towers I built ere kids But I had to give hi brother He deserved the benefit of the doubt and a chance to show up for his sister and ht I even let myself bask for a minute in how proud I’d be if the dinner I’d planned was the place where Sarah Jo and Ryan couldas the bestjust as I’d stood up for him