“She’s now closer to the size of a rat than a mouse,” he said. “You must have a bad self-image, Agatha. And, honestly, it’s justified.”

Finley laughed.

Agatha’s tiny, fierce expression communicated her willingness to bite any person who attempted to separate her from the man of her dreams.

Ben was a Baptist from the South, which meant he’d never met a potluck meal he didn’t like. He surveyed his packed plate with pleasure. Fried chicken. Green bean casserole. Salads. One overachiever had baked homemade macaroni and cheese.

Akira sat next to him. “There’s even Jell-O,” she said with delight.

“That you’re happy about the Jell-O proves that you’re the woman for me.”

“The proof is in the Jell-O.”

“Where’ve you been all my life?”

“Waiting for you.”

She’d spoken the comment teasingly, but he suspected that he really had been waiting all his life for her. Something rare and important was taking shape in their relationship, which made him feel like the luckiest man here tonight.

Natasha and Wyatt, Genevieve and Sam, Sebastian and Leah occupied the remaining chairs at their table.

“Your wedding will be here before we know it,” Leah said to Genevieve.

“It’s just a month away!” Genevieve replied.

“Are you ready?” Sebastian asked Sam.

“I can’t wait,” he said sincerely in his Aussie accent. “Had I known she’d want so many months between our engagement and our wedding, I’d have thrown her in the back of my truck and taken her straightaway to the justice of the peace.”

“And deprive me of my moment?” Genevieve countered. “You owe me a big white dress and flowers and a wedding in a church.”

“Is that all?” Sam asked wryly.

“No. You also owe me the sight of you waiting at the altar. And ‘you may now kiss the bride’ and everyone applauding as we walk back down the aisle together. And dancing. And everything else that comes with the reception.”

“You don’t care about all that fanfare?” Akira asked Sam.

“I just want to marry her.”

“Marry me you shall,” Genevieve told him. “And soon.”

“Not soon enough.”

Genevieve’s long hair swung as she leaned over to kiss her fiancé.

“Where are you going on your honeymoon?” Leah asked.

“Australia,” Genevieve answered. “We’ll spend a week resting on the beach and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. Then we’ll head to the part of the country where Sam grew up.”

“We’ll have another ceremony—small and casual—” he gave Genevieve side-eye—“for my Aussie family and friends.”

“I’m excited to see all the places he’s told me about.”

“You’ll fit right in on the cattle station,” Sam said.

“I expect to. I’ve already been assembling outfits that will hit just the right note of outback chic.”