“Let’s say you decked me. A better story for our grandchildren.”

She sobered a little, glancing down.

“Ginger, there will be grandchildren. Are you afraid? Too afraid?”

“Oh, the thought terrifies me. But I’m not going to let that keep me from trying. It’s all I’ve ever wanted—a family.”

“We’ll be careful,” he said. “Good medical support. The best pediatric support available. We have Peyton and Scott to help hook us up. There isn’t any rush about it. We won’t take any chances and we’ll be sure you’re ready. Emotionally ready. As ready as possible.”

“Are you? Doesn’t it make you a little nervous? Counting on grandchildren through me?”

He shook his head. “If it had been me, I’d probably feel just like you do. But things will be different, Ginger. This time you won’t be alone. This time your man will be with you every step.”

Such a good man, always looking for ways to reassure her.

“Are you going to say yes?” he asked. “I love you. I want to be with you forever.”

“Yes, of course I’m going to say yes.”

“Where do you want to live?”

“Do you think that house on the farm will have room for me?”

That made him smile. “You’d do that?”

She nodded. “This can’t happen too fast, Matt. I’m not going to abandon Grace. Her mother is sick and she’s pregnant. It’s going to take planning.”

“I want to sweep you away,” he said.

“That would be fun but I won’t run out on her. Until I’m sure she’s taken care of we’ll have to make do like this.” She smiled. “The anticipation has been great. When you speed into town on the weekend... Tell me, Mr. Lacoumette, when I’m just a farm wife, will you speed home from the orchard to be with me?”

He laughed. “Have you seen my parents? Married almost forty years and still hot for each other. You and Grace have to talk about it, okay? Think about a plan. I need you. I love you.”

“First we have to take care of something important. My family. If I understand you, we have one more weekend before the harvest is in full swing. I know you know some of my family through the business, but I want to bring you home. I’ll see if I can gather the troops for next weekend. A barbecue or something with my brothers and their families, with my mom and dad. But if it’s okay with you, I’ll stay with you at night.”

“They know about me, right?” he asked.

“I’ve talked to my mom the most but she’s told the family I have a man in my life. And of course, they know your family.”

“Paco will be pleased,” he said, scratching his chest. “I’m marrying a trucking company.”

“I don’t know who to tell first. My mother? Ray Anne? Grace? Peyton?”

“Tell everyone. We need a ring, Ginger. A nice one.”

“If I can get my family together for next weekend, will we stay in your apartment?”

“If I can’t think of a good alternative. My mother was right, I only stayed there so I could have privacy. I can’t wait to live on the farm. You’ll help me build the house. It has to be your house.”

“You’re committing to an awful lot, Matt.”

“I’d do anything for you. Don’t you know that?”

* * *

Peyton was first, as it turned out. They walked down to her house and found the whole family home. Ginger thought she knew Matt very well yet she’d never seen him quite so puffed up and proud as he was when he said, “We’re getting married, Peyton.”

“Oh, my God! When?”

“We don’t exactly know,” Ginger said. “We have a couple of things to work out—first the harvest and then I want to make sure Grace is covered. I mean covered very well. Her life is complicated right now. And need I even say it? She’s been so good to me. I think between Ray Anne, Grace and some of my new friends I have a whole new life.” She grabbed Matt’s hand. “And it led me to another new life.”

Next they found Ray Anne at Al’s house with Al’s family of boys, where Ray Anne was helping Al construct a Sunday dinner for the whole crew. There was a loud celebration of congratulations with all the same questions so far impossible to answer.

“I don’t know why anyone wants to get married,” said thirteen-year-old Kevin.

“And that’s how we like it—you not understanding that urge,” Al said. “I have enough worry that Justin’s starting to get it.”

“What? Me?” he asked.

“We know there’s a girl,” Ray Anne said.

“Yeah, but that’s all there is. A girl. Not marriage. How would I ever manage that?”

“Good. We’re on the same page,” Al said.

Then they walked down the beach. They had already decided not to impose on Grace. It was good enough for Ginger to tell her on Monday when they worked together. But Troy was on the beach throwing a Frisbee with Charlie, the nurse’s son, and Austin, the kid next door.

“You’re not imposing,” Troy said. “She’s on the deck with her mother, I think. Everything okay at the shop?”

“As far as I know,” Ginger said. “I’m planning to open tomorrow morning. I just wanted to talk to her for a minute.”

“Go on up,” he said.

“Knock, knock,” Ginger said as they neared the top of the stairs.

“Come up!” Grace said. “Out for a little walk?”

“We have news,” Ginger said. “We wanted to tell you together. Now, don’t worry about anything...”

“We’re getting married,” Matt said, pulling the trigger on it.

Grace flew to her feet and hugged Ginger in a ferocious, excited embrace, shrieking happily. It took a while for her to calm down. Troy, Charlie and Austin came flying up the stairs from the beach to see what was happening. Grace threw herself at Matt, hugging him fiercely. And then, inevitably, there was crying.

“Oh, that makes me so happy!” Grace cried. “This is perfect! It couldn’t be more perfect!”

Ginger was a little stunned. “We were going to be careful to reassure you—I won’t leave you without making sure you have the help you need in the shop.”