there were, in fact, a few missing.
Duke looked over his shoulder and managed a sharp whistle through pursed lips. Claudia and Michael stood at the base of the mini climbing wall while Dante made his way back down.
At the sound of Duke’s prompt, Michael gave them a nod. Lorraine, who was already heading over with Diego’s hand in hers, shot Burke a knowing grin.
A burst of warmth sank into Justine’s chest. She couldn’t help but feel the joy behind the smile deep in her heart. It was often the Bentons spoke of the profound gratitude they had for Burke’s connection to the family. They’d gone so far to include Justine in the equation too, saying that their presence somehow filled a void left by their missing loved ones. And to Burke’s pleasant surprise, even Claudia agreed.
In fact, Lorraine, at her Christmas interview, had called the couple an unexpected gift in the Benton Family. She’d set all rumors straight during the interview, though none of them got too worked up over speculation in the meantime. They were a family, and they had what counted most—each other.
Justine couldn’t imagine a couple that could return that love and gratitude more than she and Burke. To be part of a large and loving family, surrounded by support, love, and a whole lot of laughter—it was a dream come true.
Of course, they hadn’t made it official yet, as Millie suggested, but Burke had encouraged Justine to select her dream ring at the beginning of the year; seemed he held true to what he’d told Brittany about an engagement ring.
They’d talked about what the wedding might look like. Early summer or late spring. Ceremony at the chapel, a celebration at the lodge to follow, and a honeymoon at the Maldives since, upon watching Kat and Zander’s honeymoon episodes of Married at First Meet, Justine was dying to stay in an over-the-water cabana, watch as schools of stingray swam beneath their bungalow, and jump into the turquoise waters with a splash.
She couldn’t help but think that proposal would likely come during their dinner date tonight at The Steakhouse. Burke had reserved the rooftop again, and every time Justine thought about what might take place that evening, a rush of anticipation overwhelmed her. It was, in a sense, a sacred place. A place that she sensed those first hints of something much deeper than mere attraction. A connection of their souls.
“Whee!” shouted a familiar sounding voice overhead. Justine glanced up in time to see Brittany whizzing by on a coaster sled. Justine allowed for a grin; the two had made amends after all. It happened a few months back after Burke talked Justine into pursuing her passion and refinishing her furniture full time.
Her replacement at the city was none other than the big talker herself, and it had been Justine’s job to train her replacement. She and Brittany wouldn’t be doing coffee anytime soon, but Justine could safely say they were on good terms. Brittany and Trevor, on the other hand—that was still a work in progress since, after her stunt during the tree lighting, he’d asked for the promise ring back.
“Okay,” Zander said. “The gang’s all here. Let’s do this.”
Penny positioned the group beneath the Adventure Land arch made of log letters. Beside them, a grand opening banner waved in the breeze.
Frank made goofy faces to ease Dante and Diego into more natural smiles as Penny snapped away, giving them the count of three between each shot.
“Let’s see…” Penny said while squinting into the lens. “We’re just about done. Burke, did you want to come take a look at these first?”
Justine glanced around a bit, perplexed by the request that Burke, out of everyone, be the one to check the photo.
“Sure,” he said, breaking free from the group. He gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go completely, and then tucked his hands in his pockets as he walked.
“Justine,” Penny said, “you may as well come take a look too.”
“And me too?” Dante asked.
Diego jumped up. “And me?”
“Sure,” Duke answered. “Why don’t you guys take Justine by the hand and walk her up to the camera?”
Justine looked down as her little escorts hurried to her sides, each taking a hand. “Thank you,” she said to one, then the other. It wasn’t until she lifted her chin once more that Justine saw what game was, as Burke would say, afoot.
Because there, on one knee before her, was the handsome prince himself. She couldn’t help but admire his