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Agatha jumped and pulled away just enough to get a good view of Zeke’s eyes. “I’m so sorry. What were you saying?”
He got a funny look on his face. “You’re not going to make me say it again, are you?”
She scrunched up her face, tilting her head to the side as she gave him an apologetic smile. “I got lost in my thoughts again. I really think that the summer program could do so much good for the kids who grow up without much purpose.”
Zeke shook his head, but he didn’t appear upset at all. “That’s why I love you. You’re always wanting something more—but not in a bad way. You’re not the type to sit back and let the world pass you by. I’d guess that when you’re eighty-two, you’ll still be living out in the country telling the cowboys what they’re doing wrong.”
“Cowboys?” she laughed. “What cowboys? When I’m eighty-two, I plan on living the high life in a condo in the city.”
Zeke’s expression faltered. “You want to move to the city?”
This time it was her turn to laugh. “Of course not.” Agatha wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in close to press a soft kiss to his cheek. “Honestly? I think I’d be happy anywhere as long as I’m with you.”
The look he gave her made her stomach flip over on its side and her pulse raced faster than a rocket to the moon. “Is that so?” he said.
Agatha nodded. “I love you, Zeke Callahan.”
“Prove it,” he whispered.
“Anything,” she responded.
“Marry me.”
Every part of her body ran cold, then hot. Her face flushed and her eyes grew wide. “So you weren’t just saying that. Earlier, when you said…”
“I wasn’t just saying anything. I think Brielle has a point. We love each other. We’re definitely not getting any younger, so why wait?”
“Why… wait?” Agatha said breathily. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I don’t have to have some big fancy wedding. I just want to call you mine. I want to spend the rest of my life knowing I won the heart of the amazing Agatha Birch.” Zeke lowered down onto one knee and withdrew a small red velvet box.
Agatha gasped.
“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I know our lives won’t be easy. You’d be taking on a lot of daughters… and their husbands… and subsequent grandchildren—”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “Yes! You had me at grandchildren.”
He chuckled, but before he could respond, the front door to the house opened. “Anyone home? Hope you don’t mind that we let ourselves in.” Brielle and Wade were the first to arrive in the doorway that led to the kitchen, and they found Zeke still on one knee, Agatha’s hand in his.
Brielle gasped, her eyes bouncing from her father to Agatha and back. “Oh my goodness! Please tell me you put him out of his misery and told him yes.”
“Bri, just let them tell their story,” Wade muttered. He lifted a bag. “I brought the chips like you asked. But if you’re in the middle of something, we can—”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” She wiped just below her eyes with her fingers and let out a laugh. “You’re right on time.”
“Well?” Brielle exclaimed. “Don’t leave us hanging. What’s going to happen? Are we adding another Callahan to the lineup?”
“Another?” Zeke groaned as he got to his feet. “Thanks to all my daughters, there won’t be any more Callahans. You saw to it when you all got married.”
Brielle glanced at Wade, a small smile touching her lips.
Wade held up both hands. “I told her she didn’t have to change her name, but she’s insisting she wants to be a Keagan.”
Zeke huffed. “Like there aren’t enough already? I think the world could do with a few less.”
Agatha pushed his shoulder. “Zeke, how could you say such a thing?”
He gestured toward Wade, his expression still serious. “Have you heard about his family? It’s the largest one in the area. You wanna talk numbers? How many is it, Wade? Ten children?”
