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Her car wasn’t in the driveway. Annie would, however, hopefully know whether Vivian was working and when her shift would end. He knocked on the door. If he had to wait a whole day, that was also okay. As long as he got to see her before the sun set.
After a few minutes, the door flew open. Annie gasped. “Aiden!” He was treated by one of her beautiful smiles. “I can’t believe you’re really here. Riley sent me a text to say you’re flying out here again, but I wasn’t sure I understood her correctly,” she said, hugging him before she stepped back quickly, giving him a suspicious look. “Um… you are here for Vivian?”
Grinning, he stepped into the house. “I am indeed here for Vivian, if she’ll have me. Is she at work?”
“She’s finished her shift, but she’s just texted to say she’s at her house. The papers to buy it were signed just yesterday.”
His heart kicked into the next gear. “You mean she’s there now?”
Annie nodded. “Yep, she is. But before you go, I want to show you something.” Grabbing his arm, she marched them into the living room. Against the door was a small suitcase.
“That’s Vivian’s,” Annie said, pointing toward it.
Aiden stared at Annie, not quite sure what she was trying to say. “Is she going somewhere?”
“She’s planning to fly to Portland this afternoon.”
His heart did a double somersault. “To see me?”
Annie nodded. “To see you.”
“I have to get to her,” he said, turning on his heel.
“Do you have everything you need?”
“Oh, yeah. Roses and the ring. Riley was very specific.”
With twinkling eyes, Annie picked up a throw hanging over the seat of one of her couches. “And maybe this? The floors are very dusty.”
It took him a second to understand what she was really saying. Taking the throw from her, he grinned. “I think I’m going to like having you as family—I take it I do have your blessing?”
“You may have Annie’s, but you don’t have mine yet,” a cool voice said from behind Aiden.
Aiden turned. Mitch was standing behind him. “I love your sister.”
“I could’ve told you that a week ago already. So, what are you going to do about it? See her on weekends?”
“No, I want to marry her, be with her all the time. I’d like to have your blessing.” Holding his breath, he watched every emotion playing across Mitch’s face—indignation, worry, resignation, and finally acceptance.
Mitch finally put out his hand, and steeling himself, Aiden shook it. He managed not to wince. Just.
“I’ll be watching you,” Mitch growled. “You make sure you treat her right.”
“That’s an easy promise to make. I love her.”
Finally, the ghost of a smile lifted the corners of Mitch’s mouth. “We’ll have bubbly on ice when you get back.”
Relieved, Aiden grinned. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
Annie had him by the arm. “You have to go now.” She just about shoved him out of the door. “And don’t you dare come back without your ring on her finger.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Aiden grinned before he sprinted for his car.
Chapter Twenty
Vivian was measuringthe floor space for a cupboard she’d want the contractor to install in the kitchen when a movement behind her caught her eye.
Turning her head, she saw him. Aiden. All the oxygen left her body in one swoosh. She’d known he was coming to see her, but the fact that he was really here, in the flesh, was still overwhelming.
