I smiled to myself, soon the ring would be back on my finger to stay, and I couldn’t freaking wait. Luke and I had planned to take the kids to the park and tell Dylan we were engaged, but with my wackadoo stalker still stalking about, and two more potential bad guys, we’d decided to stay at my parents’ house. Luke would stop by with sprinkle donuts for breakfast, and we’d break the news first thing.

After breakfast, I was going to work at Violet’s for the last time. Summer was almost over, and some of Violet’s stay-at-home-mom employees were peacing out on their summer vacations early and going back to work. Violet would make a big deal out of my last day, I knew it. I didn’t really like parties or being the center of attention, but I was hoping for cake. And maybe some good punch. If I got lucky, maybe a few presents. I kicked the quilt off and got up to stick my head into the hallway to see what was going on in the house. I heard my mother cooing to Calla, and Dylan talking to Asher and his kids, so I headed into the bathroom to shower and change. I knew this wouldn’t last, and I felt a little bit spoiled as I stepped under the spray of the shower. I decided to think of this stay at my parents’ house as a mini-vacation. When all this craziness was over, and I was back into my own place, then I could have my frantic, crazy, rushing-all-around mornings back. Until then, I would enjoy the help. And right now, I was about to take the longest, hottest shower of my life. I would blow-dry my hair, do up my makeup, and dress in something pretty. No bun and half-assed mascara and lip balm today. I turned on the tap and stepped under the hot spray.

The bathroom door opened, and I jumped in surprise.

“Baby, it’s just me. Don’t slip and fall.” Luke laughed as he rolled the shower door open and grabbed my waist to steady me.

“Be careful. I’m all wet.” I gasped as his big, warm hands slid up my waist and around my back. He gripped my hair and gave me a quick kiss.

“I can feel that. I’m going to love waking up to this every day.” He grinned at me, then released me. “I’ll go find Dylan, but first…” He reached into his pocket, took my hand, and slipped his mother’s ring on my finger. Before he left, he kissed my palm and winked at me. My knees went weak. Luke winking at me was my weakness. Well, one of them anyway. When it came to Luke, I had a lot of weaknesses.