popped the top of her cola and frowned. “To when?”
“Christmas,” Ingrid said, tapping the top of her soda can.
“Oh, my word,” Molly said. “Mama can’t handle that. She hasn’t even been working on the wedding this month, because of her health.”
“They didn’t tell Lyra.”
“I’ll tell her then,” Molly said, something protective rising up inside her. “She can’t do that to Mama.”
“I think Mama tried to tell her, but you know how head-strong Lyra can be.”
Molly nodded, already tapping out a message to her younger sister. A minute later, she said, “Done. She just needs to chill.” She practically tossed her phone on the counter, slowing at the last moment so she didn’t break it.
A few minutes later, the veggies were done and Molly had changed into a festive red and black sweater. When the doorbell rang, Ingrid shrieked, and Molly giggled at her as she went to answer the door.
The handsome blonde man Molly had seen on Ingrid’s phone stood on the stoop, and he smiled with the strength of the sun. Molly felt his spirit and his charm, and it was no wonder Ingrid had fallen for him in a single month.
He reminded her so much of Hunter, and she found herself smiling back with the same power. “You must be Ingrid’s Hans,” she said.
“I am,” he said, his grin turning up a notch. “I sure like it when it’s said like that.” He came in when she stepped back. “Do you think you could help me convince her to make it official?”
Molly closed the door and turned back to Hans. “What do you mean?”
“Hans,” Ingrid said behind them, but he didn’t turn or flinch.
His smile stayed steady, and the only movement he made was to lift his hand in the universal sign of just a minute, please.
“I asked her to marry me, and she said it’s crazy to get engaged so quickly.” Hans’s brilliant blue eyes sparkled like sapphires.
Molly could only gape at him. “What did she say?”
“She said she needed to think about it.” Hans leaned even closer and spoke in a hushed voice. “Really, I think she just wants a bit more time to go by so no one knows I proposed on day twenty-nine.”
Molly couldn’t believe it either. At the same time, she could see Ingrid and Hans together, and when he turned and greeted her, Molly saw the love on his face. She witnessed it on Ingrid’s too, and she basked in the excitement and warmth the couple put off.
Feeling like her lungs might crack, Molly went into the kitchen, where Hans had just finished kissing Ingrid hello. “Your coat,” she said. “I’ll take it.”
He removed it and handed it to her. She took it into the living room and tossed it over the back of the couch, where Ingrid had put hers. “You should do it,” she said, turning back to them.
“Do what?” Ingrid asked, glancing from Molly to Hans.
“Say yes,” Molly said, taking a step forward. “Marry him. It’s obvious you love him, and he loves you, and who cares how long you’ve known him?” She looked between the two of them, her heart racing now. “Say yes.”
With wide eyes, Ingrid looked at Hans and swatted his chest. “You told her.”
Hans laughed and laced his fingers through Ingrid’s before she could really hit him. “Of course I told her. She’s your sister, and you said she had to approve.”
Molly met Ingrid’s eyes. They’d closed slightly, and she actually ducked her head now. “She does.”
“Why?” Molly asked. “I would support whoever you chose to marry.”
“Your opinion means a lot to me.” Ingrid stepped forward and hugged Molly. “Do you really think I should say yes?” she whispered.
Molly held onto Ingrid tightly, hoping to use the pressure to keep her voice from breaking. “Yes,” she whispered back. “Don’t miss this. Don’t let him go.” She squeezed her eyes shut, because she didn’t want to cry. Not tonight.
She hugged Ingrid until her sister stepped back, and Molly wiped quickly to rid herself of any errant tears. “I approve,” she declared. “Now tell the man yes.”
Ingrid turned back to Hans and lifted both hands as if to say what are you gonna do? “I guess it’s a yes.”
Hans whooped and scooped Ingrid right up off her feet. The two of them laughed, and Molly placed one hand over her heart as she experienced their happiness.
“Wow, if I’d known it was going to be that easy, I’d have come over last week,” Hans said, setting Ingrid back