“When?” Ruby hollered from the doorway.
“Ohmygosh, kiddo!” Lucy laughed. “Don’t rush it! He hasn’t put the ring on my finger yet.”
Keaton reached for her hand and slipped the white gold band of diamonds on her ring finger.
“Can I have a brother for next Christmas?” Ruby asked as she bounded into the room and threw herself at Keaton.
“No.” Both Keaton and Lucy spoke at the same time.
“How about a dog?”
The two of them laughed at the hopeful expression on her face.
“Rube.” Callie called.
“Hmm?”
“Let’s play a game.”
Lucy and Keaton watched Callie herd Ruby out of the room. The rest of Lucy’s family disappeared, once more leaving them alone. Keaton moved around the table to take her in his arms.
“I won’t rush you about a date,” he promised. “I just couldn’t wait to ask anymore. The ring’s been burning a hole in my pocket for the last week.”
“You do have hot pants,” she said with a smirk.
“What’re the odds we could get a quickie in while they?—”
Lucy snorted and shook her head. “Not a chance, Keaton Thatcher.”
***