by Mariah Dietz
“What’s that?” Grace asks.
Kennedy turns toward me, her eyes rounding. “You got the blueprints! Is it what you were hoping for?”
I pop off the lid and slide the papers out, placing them on one of the old metal desks that were left behind.
They converge without being prompted.
“That deck will be amazing,” Mrs. Wallace says.
“Forget the deck. Look at the size of that master bathroom!” Violet says. “And that closet! That’s bigger than my bedroom was in Boston!”
“Mine too.” Kennedy giggles.
“What are you going to do with a kitchen that big?” Coen asks. “You think Ma’s going to come cook for you?” He elbows me, smiling.
“Are these the final plans?” Kennedy looks over her shoulder at me.
“It depends.”
“On what?” Her gaze drifts to the blueprints again.
I dig into my pocket and withdraw the small box that’s felt like a live ember all day against my leg. Slowly, I drop to one knee.
Violet screeches. The sound echoes through the space, and everyone turns to her with surprise. Her hands cover her mouth and tears form in her eyes as she points them to me.
Mrs. Wallace gasps, and Grace grins. Coen chuckles.
Kennedy stares at me, her eyes round and her lips parted with surprise.
“Those are the final plans if you love it. If that’s how you want our house to look. Grace and your parents have been helping me design it with you in mind, thinking of all the things we know you love.”
Tears swim in her bright eyes as she stares at me.
“You’ve been asking me a lot about what I want for my birthday.” I swallow. “And there’s just one thing I want.” I open the lid, and Kennedy’s gaze shifts to the ring and then back to me. “I want you to be my wife. I want to build a house with you. I want to make you happy.” I raise the small box higher. “Kennedy Wallace, will you be my wife?”
She nods, and before I can withdraw the ring, she’s kissing me.
The End
Acknowledgments
It will take time to recover from these characters, and their small town that I’ve fallen deeply in love with.
A special thanks to Becca Hensley Mysoor with Evident Ink, who reached out to me mid-freak out while I was writing my first draft, and offered her brilliance to me. I’d likely still be buried among a few thousand sticky notes had you not come to my rescue!
Also to Julie Deaton with Deaton Author Services for putting up with me and doing such an amazing proof reading job, as always!
Hang Le. Oh, Hang. How can I thank you enough? I don’t think there are words. Each time you send me a new cover, I swear it’s my new favorite, and then you somehow outdo yourself once again. You are the one of the kindest, most patient, and sweetest people I’ve had the privilege of meeting. I’d say thanks for being awesome, but what it would really mean is—thanks for being you.
A huge thanks to the team who beta read Exception! Terri Peterson, Lisa Greenwood, Karen Ann, Misty Duncan, and Samantha Lloyd—You guys are so amazing! Thank you for your continued support, answering all twelve-million of my questions, and not blocking me when I ask yet another one!
The members of Mariah Dietz’s Bossy Babes. You guys are my tribe. You guys never complain about the grammar error in the title, or tire of me straying to new ideas or thoughts. You all are the BEST!
And my readers. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
About the Author
Mariah Dietz lives with her husband and two sons, who are the axis of her crazy and wonderful world.
Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon, where she spent most of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.
She has a love for all things that include her family, good coffee, books, traveling, and dark chocolate. She’s also obsessed with Christmas ornaments and all things Disney.
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