Page 82 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

But she turned to her mother first, her heart telling her that this was really a question for the whole family.

“Don’t look at me,” her mom said, smiling with tears in her eyes. “I already gave him my blessing.”

Ana’s heart leaped in her chest and she was so moved at the sign of respect Rory had shown to her mother by asking her first that she almost couldn’t speak.

“Yes,” she managed, turning back to the man she loved, and letting the tears slide down her cheeks. “Yes, I will marry you, Rory.”

He took her hand, and though hers was trembling, his was warm and steady as he slid the ring onto her finger.

And when he stood and pulled her into his arms, Ana was so happy that she felt like she could fly right out the window and soar above their little town.

“Hugs,” Theo suddenly called out.

Rory laughed and loosened his hold on Ana to wave her mom over. Ana scooped Theo up in her arms, and all of them shared a happy embrace together.

This is it, Ana realized. This is my family from now on.

Forever.

25

ANA

EARLY THE FOLLOWING APRIL…

Ana gazed out the window of the shop on a bright springtime afternoon.

The sun shone over Trinity Falls, warm light filtering through the street trees and dappling the slate sidewalks. The grass was a luscious green, the sky was clear and blue, and a light sweater would be just right for the walk the family planned to take.

For some reason, Rory had a bee in his bonnet today about everyone stopping work early to go for a nice walk that would end at the park. But Ana wasn’t going to argue since it sounded so lovely.

It was a slow time at the shop, so Ana knew that her mom didn’t mind a bit, and of course Theo was always happy for a walk and a trip to the park.

But this morning Rory had been so nervous, worrying that Ana would forget or that her mom wouldn’t really want to close up early.

When she’d asked him if anything was wrong, he assured her that everything was just fine, with a big smile that made his blue eyes twinkle.

He was so handsome. Sometimes she couldn’t believe he was her husband.

But it was true—they’d had a small church wedding just after the new year and Rory had moved right into the apartment. Somehow, in spite of his big frame and even bigger laugh, he fit right into their lives, as if he’d always been there.

I’m really his, and he’s really mine…

She touched her wedding band at the romantic thought, and he appeared outside as if she’d summoned him.

“Hi,” she said, sticking her head out while she flipped the sign on the door from open to closed. “How was your day?”

“Great,” he told her with his usual energy. “I’m going to shower real quick and then we can head out.”

“Okay,” Ana said.

Though Ana secretly loved the slight scent of solvents and burnt carbon that sometimes clung stubbornly to him after a long shift, Rory said he didn’t like carrying the smells of the shop with him.

“Time to get ready, love,” her mom said, heading to the front of the shop with Theo, and carrying his stack of books.

Now that they weren’t in their busy season, whenever Theo wasn’t in preschool, one of them would usually work while the other played with him, read with him, or took him to the park. Though Ana loved the Christmas season, she also loved the quiet of springtime.

By the time Rory came back downstairs, the shop was dark and closed up.