of so many important lessons. “I wouldn’t be half the man I am today without your guidance and love. I probably don’t say this enough, but thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
Preacher tapped his head against Justin’s and said, “You say it every day by treating others right, your fiancée included.”
“Fiancée. I like the sounds of that a whole hell of a lot.”
Chloe turned as they approached, and their eyes connected with the heat and love Justin knew would last a lifetime. He wondered if it would be rude for them to sneak off down the beach for a few moonlight kisses. Sampson barked and pulled the leash in his direction. Chloe smiled, and Justin nodded, letting her know she could drop the leash. As Sampson trotted over to him, he said, “I never knew I could love anyone as much as I love her, Preach.”
“Really? I always knew you had it in you.” Preacher winked.
As Preacher went to Reba, Justin loved up Sampson. Then he put an arm around Chloe and said, “Hey, baby.” He kissed her softly. Turning his attention to Reba, he said, “Mom, would you mind if I steal my girl for a minute?”
“Don’t you mean our girl?” Reba asked. “That’s my future daughter-in-law you’re holding.”
The smile on Chloe’s face was as enchanting as the one he’d seen when he’d proposed.
“And she’s my sister-in-law,” Madigan said. “I’m so excited to work with Chloe. I’ll get to see her as much as you do, Mav. I know we’ll get final funding for a long-term project. I’m a kick-ass puppeteer.”
“Have I told you how much I love your sister?” Chloe asked. “I was just telling her and Reba that I’m meeting with our clinicians Monday afternoon to choose the residents who will be taking part in the trial program.”
Reba gave Justin an approving look and said, “Your fiancée knows her stuff. She’s a real go-getter.”
“And guess what else she is?” Madigan didn’t give Justin time to guess. “My new landlord! Chloe said I can rent her cottage when she moves in with you next weekend. She’s leaving a lot of the furniture, too, which makes it even more perfect.”
Justin said, “Remember when we had lunch and I said I might have a lead on a place for you?”
“Yeah.” Understanding dawned in Madigan’s widening eyes. “Oh. You meant Chloe’s? You could have told me you were proposing. I kept the secret about her party.”
“Yes, you did, but the only person who needed to know was Serena, and that was only because I wanted to ask her for Chloe’s hand in marriage.” Justin saw a look of disbelief in Chloe’s eyes and said, “You were hers long before you became mine. It was the right thing to do.”
“You never fail to surprise me,” Chloe said with awe. “I can’t believe Serena hasn’t said anything about it.”
“I asked her not to. I only meant until you said yes, but it’s good to know she’s so loyal.”
“Yeah, good to know,” Chloe said sarcastically. “I might have to rethink my matron of honor.”
“Have you given any thought to a wedding date?” Reba asked.
“Mom, we just got engaged. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’m lucky enough to wake up next to this incredible woman every day for the rest of my life.”
Chloe leaned into his side and whispered, “I love you.”
“Aw,” Madigan said. “You guys make me wish I believed in love for myself.”
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, baby girl.” Reba looked at Chloe and said, “Have you always dreamed of a big white wedding?”
“To be honest, my life was all about survival for so long, I never dreamed of white weddings or a knight in shining armor. It wasn’t until after I’d bought my house and my career was settled that I started hoping I’d meet someone who would love me in the ways I always wanted to be loved. But I think in my head, a wedding was just checking off a box, wanting something because everyone else was moving in that direction.” She looked at Justin’s parents and said, “Then Justin came into my life, and without realizing it, I spent a year and a half comparing men to him and fooling myself into thinking that we weren’t right for each other. Thank heavens Justin didn’t give up, because he’s showed me that if I’d settled for being loved in the way I thought I wanted, I would have been shortchanging