Page 102 of Exposure of Murder

“Come on, lazybones. Tanner will be another year older if we don’t leave right now,” he yelled up the stairs.

“Hold your horses.” She walked down the stairs, and Ethan whistled. He happened to mention that it was a more formal affair. She had picked up a short-sleeved pale blue V-neck lace dress and a pair of black kitten-heel shoes with an ankle strap. He asked what kitten heels were and ended up learning more than he wanted about women’s clothing. It didn’t matter. She looked sexy and gorgeous.

Ethan helped her with her coat, and they drove down to the church. “It looks like everyone in town is here for Tanner’s birthday,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many cars.”

“He’s a popular guy,” he remarked.

“Well, I hope he’s surprised,” Jane replied.

“Oh, it’ll be a surprise for sure,” Ethan quipped.

He parked his truck and helped Jane out. They walked in and said hello to everyone. Jane looked around at the crowd. “He’s going to love this.”

“I hope so,” Ethan replied. “It’s not every day one can pull off a surprise party without the person finding out.”

Jane waved to a couple of friends before making her way over to chat with them. Ethan looked around and saw Savannah had draped a cloth over the picture.

Small white tables were elegantly decorated with clusters of purple floating balloons in varying shades, each one bobbing beneath strings of twinkling lights. The atmosphere was festive and romantic.

He stopped to chat with his brothers.

“When is Tanner coming?” asked Dylan.

“He’ll be here in a few. He’s hiding the family until the reveal,” Ethan replied.

Sean put his arms around Ethan’s shoulders. “I’m so happy for you, man.” Then he exhaled a deep breath. “No way she’s going to say no, is there? We have emergency whiskey in the truck if you need it.”

“Ha. If she says no, I’ll need more than whiskey.”

Ethan looked at the crowd. “Shh, she’s coming over.”

Jane walked over and into his arms. “I can’t wait to see the expression on Tanner’s face.” She looked around the room. “This is so exciting.”

Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He whistled to catch everyone’s attention. “Okay, folks, it’s showtime.”

Jane looked around. “Where’s Tanner?”

Tanner walked in just as Jane asked.

“Sweetheart, surprise!” Ethan said, opening his arms wide. “This is a party for you.”

“Me?” Jane looked around the room at all the folks gathered who were smiling at her.

“I don’t understand,” she murmured.

Savannah hugged her. “Oh, sweetie, Ethan asked me to paint you a special picture, and he wanted to show it to you today.”

“Okaaay. But why couldn’t he show it to me at the house?”

“You’ll see,” Savannah replied. “Ethan, are we ready?”

When Ethan yelled yes, Savannah pulled the cover off the picture.

Jane could only stare at it. “Savannah, it’s beautiful.”

Jane’s eyeremained fixed on the watercolor in front of her. The image showed a man proposing to a woman outside a small white church, with colorful cows standing near a barn, their heads tilted in curiosity. It eerily resembled the view from her farm but with a romantic twist.

When did Ethan ask Savannah to paint it?Jane turned toward Ethan with tears in her eyes. “Oh, it’s … beautiful.”

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