Tears wanted to come again, but she held them back. “I like that picture.”

“Me, too. See, I was figuring we were building a house—not the kind up the hill there. A kind of relationship house. I take my time building things because it’s important to build them right—to build them to last.”

“And I rushed you.”

“Yeah, you rushed me. Something else I figured out. Two people don’t always have to move at the same pace for them to end up at the same place. The right place.”

A tear escaped. “This is the right place for me.” She framed his face with her hands. “I love you, Brody. I want—”

“No, you don’t. I’m making the moves here.” He drew her to her feet. “See that house up there on the hill?”

“Yes.”

“Needs work, but it’s got potential. That dog chasing his tail in the yard’s just about housebroken. I’ve got a son who’s coming home from school on a bus that’s running late. He’s a good boy. I want to share all that with you. And I want to come to your school sometimes, just to watch you dance. I want to make babies with you. I think I’m good with them.”

“Oh, Brody.”

“Quiet. I’m not finished. Come summer, I want to sit out in the garden we’ll plant together. You’re the only one I want to have all that with.”

“Oh, God, just ask me before I fall apart and can’t even answer you.”

“You’re pushy. I like that about you. Marry me, Kate.” He touched his lips to hers. “Marry me.”

She couldn’t answer, could only lock her arms around him. Her heart poured into the kiss and gave him more than words. The dog began to yip and race in desperate circles around them. Clinging to Brody, Kate began to laugh.

“I’m so happy.”

“I still wouldn’t mind hearing you say yes.”

She tipped her head back, started to speak. And the rude blast of the school bus’s air brakes drowned out her words.

She turned, sliding her arm around Brody’s waist and watched Jack burst out the door. The pup took a running leap into Jack’s arms.

“Let me,” Kate murmured. “Please. Hey, handsome.”

“Hi.” He looked at the tears on her cheeks and sent a worried look at his father. “Did you get hurt?”

“No, I didn’t. Sometimes people cry when they’re so happy everything bursts inside them. That’s what I am right now. Remember what you asked me yesterday, Jack?”

He bit his lip, glanced warily at his father again. “Uh-huh.”

“Well, here’s the answer for both of you.” With one hand still caught in Brody’s, she touched Jack’s cheek. “Yes.”

His eyes went huge. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Dad! Guess what?”

“What?”

“Kate’s going to marry us. That’s okay, right?”

“That’s absolutely okay. Let’s go home.”

They left the truck and car parked where they were, and started walking toward the house together. Jack raced ahead, the dog at his heels. At the edge of the lawn, Brody stopped, turned, kissed her.