Mike nudged Norman as he spotted her. Norman looked up and began to frown. Hannah figured that was because of her thundercloud expression. It was too early in the morning to assume a poker face and she didn’t care if the whole town of Lake Eden knew that she was steaming mad. She didn’t appreciate receiving five phone calls before six in the morning from people who were dead set on giving her unwanted advice. This was her life, these were her proposals, and she was the one who’d have to live with her decision. There was no way she enjoyed being the subject of a very public betting pool at Hal & Rose’s Cafe, and it was long past time to put an end to the speculation.

Hannah strode forward with purpose, her rubber-soled boots thudding against the floor. She was unaware that the other patrons in Hal & Rose’s had swiveled around on their stools to watch what they assumed would be a spectacle. She didn’t hear the whispered comments or see the money that quickly changed hands. She was concentrating on the two men in the booth and what she was going to tell them.

“What’s wrong, Hannah?” Norman asked as she arrived at their booth and stood there in front of it, her hands on her hips.

“Everything,” Hannah said, deciding not to mince words. “Why did you have to ask me to marry you anyway?”

“Because I love you,” Norman was the first to respond.

“And I love you, too,” Mike said.

“Well, that’s just great, because I love you.”

“Who?” Norman asked.

“Yes, who?” Mike added.

“Both of you. But that’s not the biggest problem. I’m sick and tired of people telling me that I have to choose between you! And I really resent the fact that everyone in this whole town is urging me to make a decision right now!”

Mike held up his hand. “But, Hannah

”

“Quiet!” Hannah interrupted. “Just this morning, I got calls from Bill, Lisa, Barbara Donnelly, Doc Bennett, and Mother. I even got an ultimatum from Mayor Bascomb! They all want me to make my decision right now, but they’ve got it all wrong. I should be the one to decide when to decide!”

“Huh?” Norman asked, looking confused.

Mike wore the identical expression. “What was that, Hannah?”

“Never mind. I know what I mean and that’s good enough for me. Do you still want to marry me?”

If it had been raining, both men would have drowned as they looked up at her with their mouths open in surprise. Mike was the first to recover. “I do.”

“So do I!” Norman added.