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She turned and looked down.
“Marry me.” He was on one knee, holding out a ring that Luna had told him Autumn would love.
She dropped to her knees before him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re a teacher. Words are your thing. Surely you have something in there.” He tapped her forehead.
Her hair was a mess and her eyes were glassy with tears, and she was the most beautiful woman he knew.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Oh, yes please, but under one condition.”
“Anything.”
“Can I be Autumn Harris Winter?”
He snorted. “I don’t know, Autumn Winter has a nice ring to it.” He leaned in to kiss her. “Do we know each other enough now?” Ford said when they came up for air.
She nodded and then held out her hand. He slid the ring onto her finger and caught her as she hugged him.
“I love you, Ford.”
“I love you too, baby.”
…
They brought plates of food and bottles of drink. Some brought chairs to sit on, others blankets to picnic on. Children piled out of cars, and Ritchie was eager to show them all his bedroom.
“So that’s it then,” Luke Trainer said to Ford as he grilled meat.
“We’re all spoken for.”
“I’m sure there are a few more single people in Ryker Falls, bud,” Joe said.
“But the ones who are our friends are hitched,” Jack added.
“Ha, he could be right,” Fin said.
Ford looked at the group of women gathered on the verandah and found his girl. She wore a blue-and-white floaty sundress, and her hair was loose. She was laughing and looked happy. That look hit him hard in the chest. He loved that woman so much.
“It won’t be as much fun not having a single friend to hassle and give advice to,” Ted said.
“I’m sure we can find someone who needs it,” Dylan added.
“Nana, Grandpa!”
Ford watched Ritchie run out of the house and leap off the deck, Kismet dashing behind him. His little legs pumped as he ran to where Ford’s parents were just arriving. They opened their arms and caught him for a group hug.
“I don’t remember them hugging us like that,” Nash said, wandering up with a beer. “Kid’s cute though.”
Ford found Autumn, and their eyes met. She nodded, so he excused himself, moving to the deck with her.
“If I can have your attention please.”
Ritchie was smiling. His grandparents had a hand each on his shoulder.
“I proposed to Autumn this morning, and she accepted.”
The cheers were loud, and the congratulations that followed heartfelt. Surrounded by his friends and family, he took his girl into his arms and kissed her.
