Adam grinned. “And you will plan a wedding for you two that will actually be for Vera and me.”

“You have to help.”

“I’m sure you can do it all by yourself. Have confidence.”

“Okay. Then it’ll be pink. Pink flowers. Pink cake, pink ribbons in the church. Maybe the pastor can wear pink. I bet we can find a pink jacket for you in KC. And—”

Adam threw his hands up in horror. “I’ll help! I promise. And I’ll help you find a clinic. I’ll enjoy doing that. And I will introduce you to some men.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Yes, it is. I’ll weed out the scum that’ll come running when they hear Paul is out of the picture.”

“I was kidding about other men. I don’t have time for that now. I’ll have a wedding to plan, a clinic to find, my studies and working for Dr. Carl. It’s all I can handle.”

“No. You’re going to meet some people.”

She gave him a hard look. “Mr. Selfish, is this about your little brother?”

“I’m caught. Robbie will be at your doorstep. He’s too young for you. Too much of a...of a kid. You need a man who won’t get upset when you’re called out in the middle of the night to deliver a calf. Or somebody who won’t pout because you like four legs better than two.”

“I didn’t realize I was such a problem person,” she said.

“Women might have jobs but they don’t have careers. That’s reserved for men.”

“Maybe that will change.”

“Someday, but right now it’s the way things are. So are we set? Do we have a plan worked out?”

“I think we do.”

He held out his hand and they shook.

“I nearly forgot,” Adam said. He rummaged in the bottom of the picnic basket, withdrew the ring box Paul had given him and handed it to her.

She started to take it but then pulled her hand back. “I want at least some of the magic of this great lie.” She held out her left hand to him.

With a chuckle, he took her hand and slipped on the ring. “Me, too. Can you imagine if I gave Vera an expensive engagement ring?”

“She’d sell it to help famine victims.”

“Yes, she would. Your sister is a better person than we are.”

“That she is.” Kelly was looking at the way the ring sparkled in the fading daylight.

Adam moved the picnic basket. Then he and Kelly took opposite ends of the tablecloth to fold it.

Suddenly, the sound of a truck motor made them drop to the ground like combat soldiers. Flat on their bellies.

They waited, breaths held, until the truck kept going.