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She leaned in for a kiss, but he pulled back and led her to the table to sit.

“But once we leave, you’ll be in a strange place with so much that’s different than what you know. Just you and Teddy.”

“And you.”

Wally nodded and knelt down in front of her, still searching for something by patting down his chest and behind. Sadie shifted, slightly uncomfortable.

“What I mean is that I need to ask you something, and I don’t want the answer to be because you think you need me. You deserve to make decisions because it’s what you want, not what you think you have to do for anyone other than yourself.”

Sadie laughed. “Get to the point, Wally.”

Wally grinned, and she once again felt at ease. She stroked his face and he leaned into her touch.

“Remember our bargain? How I said I’d pretend to be your fiancé?” he asked.

It felt like a lifetime ago, but she nodded as Wally dug in his pocket.

“Well, I want that to be real.” He opened his palm to reveal a sparkling diamond ring that took her breath away.

Sadie’s hand fluttered to her chest as tears sprung to her eyes.

“There’s no rush to take the vows. We can have as long of an engagement as you want, if you’ll have me.”

Sadie fell on top of him, knocking them both to the floor. “Yes!” she yelled, covering him in kisses.

“Just so you know,” he said, staring up into her eyes, “I asked Teddy’s permission to propose first.”

“So that little bugger knew?” she asked.

Grinning, Wally nodded.

Sadie dipped low enough to catch his bottom lip between her teeth and tug, pulling a loud rumble of appreciation from Wally’s chest.

“That means everyone else probably knows, too, since he’s with McGovern,” she said, burying her face in his neck.

“That a problem?” Wally asked, and she paused and looked up at him, crossing her arms over his broad chest.

“Nope. You find us a preacher, and I’m ready. I’ve been ready since the day I met you. It’s you that needed convincing.”

Wally wrapped his arms around her waist and laughed, jiggling her with him.

“You know,” Sadie said, tracing the line of his lips. “I was thinking, we erased the memories of all those men, but no one said a thing to Harriet and Eleanor.”

The smile vanished from Wally’s face as he sat up with her in tow.

Sadie shrugged. “It kind of serves Harriet right. She loves gossip so much, and now her biggest story yet will never be believed.”

“Except by Eleanor,” Wally said.

“I’m thinkin’ Eleanor won’t breathe a word on it. Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion we’ve brightened up her life a little. Or at least expanded her thinking.”

Wally took her hand and slid the ring on her finger.

“Mrs. Doyle,” Sadie said, holding it out in front of her.

“Actually, in my time, the newest custom is for the man to take the woman’s name,” Wally said. “So I’d be Dr. Rogers.”

“Hmm,” Sadie tapped a finger on her chin, thinking it over. “That was my first husband’s name. You ought to take my maiden name if that’s the case.”