Page 47 of A Package Deal

“You want to wear my ring, Nelie Peterson?” he asked, knowing he’d die if she said no.

“Yes, I do, Chet Bingham, more than anything.”

“Hmm,” he said against her lips. “Ring shopping and a red bikini. This will be the best vacation ever.”

“Who said anything about a red bikini?” she teased.

“It’s that or nothing.” Nelie wasn’t the only one who could ask for what they wanted. And he wanted her. Forever.

“Guess I’ll surprise you.” Her palms dragged up his chest and fastened behind his neck.

“Either way, I win. I’ll have you.” Chet pulled her flush against him and kissed her as if his life depended on it, not caring if they got caught. They were both breathing heavily when they finally broke apart, and Nelie had a lovely dazed and confused look on her face. Chet rested his head on hers and inhaled her citrusy scent as he pulled himself together. He’d miss her underlyingeau de French Fry, but he’d survive. They had each other.Finally.

Epilogue: One Year Later

NeliestoodinJacksonand Emily’s kitchen, shaking the jar of homemade vinaigrette for the salad. Through the archway, she could see the living room. Nate, the birthday boy, had pulled himself up on the coffee table and was taking tentative steps along its edge, his chubby fingers gripping the wood for support.

“Look at him go!” Piper cheered, clapping her hands.

Ava dropped to her knees a few feet away, arms outstretched. “Come on, Nate! You can do it!”

Nate giggled, clearly loving being the center of attention. His round cheeks flushed with excitement as he bounced slightly, debating his next move. If someone didn’t know his medical history, they would never guess what the little boy and his family had been through in his first year of life.

“He’s going to be running circles around all of us before we know it,” Nelie said, smiling as Pris entered the kitchen, the diamond on her left hand catching the light.

“I give it a month,” Pris said, leaning against the counter and tilting her hand so her engagement ring sparkled even more dramatically. “Two, tops.”

Nelie laughed, setting down the salad dressing. “You know, you’re going to strain your wrist if you keep holding your hand at that angle.”

“Worth it.” Pris moved next to Nelie to compare rings. “I mean, your pearl is gorgeous, veryyouand the whole world is your oyster thing,but you have to admit mine has a certain wow factor.”

“Is that what we’re calling it now?” Nelie teased, glancing down at her own engagement ring—a lustrous pearl with diamond baguettes flanking it, paired with a narrow gold wedding band. She loved its simplicity and meaning.

They’d chosen it on their vacation in Naples. On their last night, Chet had surprised her with a romantic beach picnic under the stars, where he’d proposed to her. He’d claimed her back hallwaycould we look at ringsdidn’t count as a proposal. Nelie had been too overwhelmed to argue with him.

He’d been right about a proper proposal and going to Florida when theHaven Timespublished her birth story. Rosie, Suzanne, and Gus had said the grapevine’s reaction hadn’t surprised them. Pris, unused to it, had been shocked by some of the comments she’d overheard. Jackson said most people had commiserated with him about having another sister. A comment that was usually followed by a gentle swat by Emily or whichever sister was nearest to him.

But by the time Nelie and Chet had returned, their story was old news. Everyone’s interest had turned to the five fishermen who’d been in their ice fishing house when it had broken free and had floated down the Poplar River on a berg. It had taken two sheriff departments’ rescue units to get them to safety. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t tow the ice fishing house, worth twelve thousand dollars, to shore and the owner hit a deputy. A lost ice house and an office assault trumped Nelie Peterson’s adoption story.

“You’re just jealous.” Pris said, boosting herself to sit on the counter.

“Of what? The enormous rock weighing your hand down or that your fiancé was sent to a conference on Nate’s birthday?”

Pris pouted. “I still think Jackson did that on purpose.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that,” Emily said, sweeping into the kitchen and grabbing the oven mitts. She pulled the ham from the oven and set it on the counter to rest. “But my husband is protective of his baby sister.”

“I’m hardly a baby.”

“To Jackson, you’ll always be his little sister who needs protecting.” Emily turned on the broiler to brown the top of the cheesy potatoes. “Even if you’ve got a medical degree and an engagement ring on your finger.”

“Especially since you hid your relationship from him for months,” Nelie said.

“The Swans knew,” Pris said, defending herself.

“And that’s exactly why he’s still sulking.” Emily took the jar from Nelie and set it next to Pris. “Now get off my counter and stop staring at your ring. Be useful and toss the salad, please.”

“I’d rather look at my ring.” But Pris slid off the counter and took the jar.

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