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Joey looked out the window. “I thought the bakery was closed on Sunday.”
“It is. But since Xander is such aniceguy, he offered to accommodate me.” He opened the door. “I’ll be right back.”
Xander met him at the door with a cake box. “I assume it went well.”
“So far, so good.”
“Have fun tonight.”
“Thanks, Xander.” J.T. went back to the truck and handed the box to Joey.
She looked at it. “Is this a cake?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see it?”
“I suppose that would be okay.” He opened the box, then laughed. “Looks like Xander added his own touch to the cake.”
Joey read what was written in red letters on the white icing. “She said yes?Question mark?”
“That would be Xander’s contribution.” He smiled. “The guy’s starting to grow on me.”
J.T. left town and headed in the direction of the ranch. When they got there, Jake and Ember were on the porch. They came down to the vehicle as J.T. parked.
Jake went to Joey’s door and opened it, then offered her his hand. She got out, then hugged him. “Thank you.”
She hugged Ember next. Then they both hugged Finn while J.T. came around the truck. Jake shook his hand, and Ember gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Joey shook her head. “So everyone was in on this?”
Jake laughed. “Thanks for saying yes. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be much of a party.”
“A party?”
“Yes. The whole family is inside.”
They went into the house and were hugged and or kissed by Jacob, Sage, Sawyer, and Genny. Even Rosie and Ira got in a few licks.
J.T. put his arm around Joey. “I seriously considered having the Justice of the Peace here to get it all over with at once. But I figured you might want some say in that part of things.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
Jacob rubbed his hands together. “Okay. Let’s get that bottle of champagne open.” He picked up the bottle, which was sitting on a table in a bucket of ice, along with a bottle of sparkling cider for Finn and Ember. He handed the bottle to Jake. “You do the honors.”
Jacob could do most things with his compromised hand. But opening a bottle of champagne wasn’t one of them. Jake took the bottle and removed the wire keeper and the foil, then pointed the cork away from everyone and worked it off. It flew a few feet away with a loud pop.
Finn put his hands over his ears. “Wow! Cool!”
While Genny filled the glasses, Jake opened the sparkling cider for Ember and Finn. When everyone had a glass, Jacob held his up.
“As the senior member of this family, I will make the toast. To J.T. and Joey. It took you a while to get here, but you made it. To a long and happy life together.”
Everyone raised their glasses, then took a sip of champagne.
