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"House is looking good," Noah says, stepping out behind me. "And don't worry. She'll say yes…again.”
I slip my hands in my pockets and glare at my brother. I wasn't going to do this on Christmas, but after watching him with Charlie for the past two hours, feeling the endless tension simmering between the two of them, I can't hold back. “I thought we were doing it together."
“You…want me to help propose to your wife—I mean Pepper? Not much I can—”
“I called the bank that bought Sara Whitley’s debt from the hospital. They told me it was paid off just last week.”
He swallows. "Hmm—that's odd.”
“Noah. The three of us agreed we’d settle it together.”
"It wasn't your problem," he mutters.
"Charlie gave up the money to bring Pepper home. I owe that girl my life.”
"That's a bit dramatic."
I shake my head, relenting. "What are they going to tell her?"
He shrugs. "Probably that…she'd…made enough payments and it's settled. Anyway, I'm going inside. Want me to tell your wife you're looking for her?"
"You're looking for me?" Pepper's soft voice comes from the sliding door. Her eyes gleam with what I can only read as fulfillment and joy. A sense of belonging she hadn't felt in years.
Noah grins. "That depends, are you his wife?"
Pepper tosses me a flirtatious smirk before her face falls and she rubs her naked finger.
Noah takes his cue and steps back in the house while I reach for the blanket on the bench and wrap it around her.
She hums, leaning into me. "Are we planning on staying here a while?"
Through the glass doors, I catch my father herding our guests, hushing them as they gather into one cherished bunch.
I reach into my pocket. "I'm planning on forever." With that, I lower onto one knee, for the woman who challenged me, lit up my world, and filled my heart.
