“What I was saying is that I want to marry you, Miss Harmony King, and soon.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “I mean, I can be a lot to handle. Do you really think you’re cut out for the job?”

“So sassy with me now! Can’t a man declare his intentions without getting the third degree?”

“Are you sure you really want to marry me?” she asked again. As much as she loved Nolan and knew he loved her, she’d spent her whole life as the girl no one had wanted, the girl without a family. It was still hard to believe this sudden, tremendous change in fortune.

“People don’t usually ask so soon, you know,” she pointed out, mentally kicking herself for killing this otherwise romantic moment.

He laughed and took a deep breath. “Who says I’m asking? I’m simply letting you know that I plan to ask someday soon. I know how you need a bit of time to get used to some ideas.”

She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “Thanks for letting me know. I will definitely think about saying yes when the time comes.”

But Harmony already knew what her answer would be. There was nothing left to think about. Nolan was the only man she’d ever wanted and the family she’d been waiting her entire life to find.

She’d once believed that people couldn’t change, but she now knew better. With a little love, anything was possible.

Chapter 40

Pastor Adam

Abigail and I both went to the dog park to welcome Muffin back to our fold. When we arrived, we found Harmony and Nolan slow dancing right there in the middle of the park as if no one was watching. It warmed my heart to witness just how far that young woman had come since first returning to our city earlier that year.

“She looks so sad,” Abigail said walking beside me. “But so happy, too.”

I couldn’t help but agree. “That, my dear, is the complex nature of life. Loving means losing, but not loving also means not living.”

“That’s a good one,” my daughter told me, nudging my arm. “You should write that one down to use in a sermon sometime.”

I drew out my phone and told that sweet Siri woman what I needed to remember so she could take a note. I still preferred Mrs. Clementine as my secretary, but Abigail had been working hard to get me to use the technology in my life somewhat more effectively.

“Over here!” Harmony called, waving us on over.

“I can’t believe today is our last day,” she told Abigail, wiping at an invisible tear in the corner of her eye. “You promise I’ll be the first you call whenever you need help?”

“Promise,” Abigail assured her.

Muffin came running over with his Irish Wolfhound friend. He’d grown a little chunkier since he’d last lived with Abigail and me but, boy, did that dog have hearts in his eyes whenever he looked at Harmony.