The words are for both of us, but he’s only looking at me.

“Okay, we will.”

Jace and I climb out of the car. Thomas unloads our luggage from the trunk before the two cars of agents depart. I’m distracted by the mob that’s suddenly descends on me. I’m passed and pulled between Dawsons. Jace grins broadly at the sight of his family surrounding me.

“Nice to see you all, too,” he calls out to his family.

“Jace, we’re sick of you by now,” Mike replies.

“Of course we’re happy to see…oh my goodness, look at that ring!” Mrs. Dawson catches sight of the diamond sparkling on my finger.

“Let me see! Let me see!” Claire chants, pushing her mother aside to inspect my hand.

I’m ushered inside the warm farmhouse to find it looks exactly the same as the last time I was here. I glance fondly around the messy mud room and packed bookcases.

“Are you two hungry?” Ellen asks maternally.

“Actually, yes,” I reply. “I’m starving.”

“Me, too,” Jace adds.

Mrs. Dawson bustles into the kitchen. The rest of us trail after her, watching her chop vegetables and toss chicken into a fry pan.

I sink down into one of the chairs at the kitchen table. Jace takes the seat next to me. I feel a yawn form, so I turn my face to muffle it against the soft fleece of his jacket.

“Tired?” he whispers.

“Some idiot kept me out of most of the night and then dragged me out of bed early this morning.”

“You were the one trying to play poker when I carried you out the door.”

I pull my face away so he can see me wrinkle my nose at him.

“I don’t remember that.”

“I’m sure you don’t. You’ve got a selective memory in addition to selective hand-eye coordination.”

“Well, you’re already stuck with me.”

“Yeah, I know.” Jace grins.

I turn away from him to see Mrs. Dawson watching us with a wide smile on her face. I flush. She sets down a salad with chicken in front of us. I start devouring it immediately.

“This is incredible, Ellen,” I compliment.

After eating lunch, Jace and I go out on a horseback ride.

“I was thinking we could get horses,” I mention as we ride along past the barren dirt fields.

Jace looks over at me. “Seriously?”

“If you want. Or another sailboat. And I was also thinking—”

Jace cuts me off. “Viv. I don’t need you to buy me anything.”

“I want you to be happy in Marcedenia. I don’t want you to…regret anything.”

“I’m not going to, Viv. It’ll be an adjustment, for sure. But I don’t have any regrets, okay?” There’s no hint of hesitation in his voice or face.

“Okay.” I try to push away the doubts.

Following dinner, I help Ellen with the dishes while the Dawson boys and Claire watch sports in the living room.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am things worked out between you and Jace, Vivienne,” she tells me as we load plates into the dishwasher.