He shook his head. “No secrets between us, remember? I never said the actual words ‘marry me,’ but I’m saying them now. Ava Ruth Ridley, I love you to forever and back. Will you marry me?”

Ava sighed. She’d heard Hunt say these words a thousand times in her dreams, but never awake and aloud. When he got down on one knee in front of her chair, then opened the box, she gasped.

“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Oh, Hunt, it’s beautiful.”

Hunt held his breath as he began to put it on her finger, and then relaxed when it slid right on.

Ava smiled. “It fits! How did you—” Then she stopped and looked at it more closely. Tears welled. “Oh, Hunt. This was Marjorie’s ring, wasn’t it?”

He nodded. “Emma had it. She gave it to me this morning. She knew we were serious, but she didn’t know about you going to Houston with me until you told them. She said Marjorie loved you like a daughter. It was time to pass it on.”

Ava leaned forward, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

“I keep reminding myself this is no longer a dream. This is my reality. I never thought I’d see you again, and now I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you. I am blessed.”

“I’m the one who’s blessed,” Hunt said. “You took the loneliness out of my life with your love and laughter. I can’t wait to get you to Houston and show you my world.”

Hunt stood, then pulled her to her feet and began undressing her, then himself. When he stretched out beside her in bed, all she was still wearing were the ring and a smile.

* * *

At Ruby’s request, Peanut brought a hamburger and fries to Donna’s house while Ruby was still there, and as soon as he brought it to the door, Ruby began gathering up the notes she and Donna had made.

“You go sit down and eat something. Even if it’s only a few bites, you’ll feel better,” Ruby said. “In the meantime, I’m going to get busy on all of this, and I’ll keep you in the loop. When you get a firm date for leaving Blessings, let me know, okay?”

“Yes, I will, and thank you for all the help, and thank Peanut for the food. You don’t know how much I appreciate it,” Donna said.

Moments later, they were gone, leaving Donna with a sack of food and the silence of her house.

She went to the kitchen, put her food on a plate, and sat down to eat. A short while later, her phone rang. She took it out of her pocket, saw who was calling, and pushed her food away.

“Hello? Joy?” Donna said.