“I talked to Anna today. She’s really going to consider moving back after Logan graduates. Her folks are doing the retired and traveling thing and she has no ties there.”
“That’s nice. I guess. I just hope Cade doesn’t ruin things for her.”
“Well, according to good ole Edith Huffman, he can either straighten up and fly right or he may as well close up shop and leave town.”
Max pulled her tighter against him. I’ll never tire of this feeling. “We can hope.”
“Does Logan still want to join the Marines?”
“Yeah. I suggested he get some college behind him first, maybe go in as an officer.”
She turned to face him, a tender smile on her lips. “He really looks up to you.”
Embarrassed, he shrugged. “He just needed a male perspective.”
“And there is no one who fills that role better than you.”
“I’m not—”
She put a finger to his lips. “Enough talk. How long before you have to go back to work?”
He glanced at his watch. “Only have a few more minutes.”
“How shall we spend them?”
“I got an idea or two.”
At precisely three-fifteen, he waited by the curb with all the other parents, his heart beating a little faster as he considered the plan. As soon as they got home, they would complete the great Christmas tree hunt ruined by Cade on Sunday. Then they would enjoy hot chocolate, popcorn, and Christmas music as they decorated the tree, followed by pizza and more Christmas music.
But there was one thing to be done first.
Maddie came running down the sidewalk toward him, and his chest boomed with pride when she flew into his arms. “Hiya, Tink. How was your day?”
“Great, now that you’re here. And only one more day of school until we get out for Christmas.”
He buckled her in the back seat. “I thought we’d stop by the Dairy Barn on the way home, if that’s all right with you.”
“Yes, sir! May I have a root beer float?”
“You certainly may.”
A few minutes later, he parked and took a deep breath. “Before we go inside, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Okay.”
“Unbuckle your seat belt so you can sit up here with me.”
Once she sat up front, his courage began to fade.
“Is something wrong, Max?”
“What? No. It’s just…well, I…I need to discuss something with you.”
“Okay.”
“I love you and your mother very much. You know that, right?”
“Of course. You tell us that all the time.”
“Well, when two people, a man and woman, love each other, they, well, they…”
“Get married?” Her question was so soft he almost didn’t hear her.
He nodded. “Yes.”
Her expressive face brightened to the point he thought she would jump out of the seat in excitement. “You want to marry us?”
He smiled. “That’s exactly what I want to do. But only if it’s okay with you.”
She clapped her hands together in front of her chest. “Of course it’s okay with me!”
He smiled and took one of the velvet boxes from his pocket. “I got this for her. Do you think she’ll like it?”
She leaned forward and gaped at the sparkling diamond solitaire he’d picked out this week. “Oh Max, it’s beautiful. She’s gonna love it.”
Then her face drew up in frown. “So, if you marry us, do I still call you Max?”
This was the part he wasn’t sure about. He had yet to talk adoption with Sky, wasn’t sure how she’d feel about it, but in his heart, Maddie was already his daughter.
