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Life was different but somehow to Ally it felt like it was always meant to be this way.
The purple Jag was gone, repossessed by her father, but Ally was glad to be rid of it. He wanted her out of the family inheritance and took away the bulk of her trust fund. Her mother wasn’t quite so firm and had convinced him to give Ally a moderate monthly allowance to help her get by while she settled in. Logan Sinclair agreed, but Ally hadn’t seen him since the night of the fair.
She knew he wouldn’t be calling anytime soon. If she wanted to mend fences with him, she’d have to make the first move. Something she wasn’t ready for.
The moderate allowance to the Sinclairs was buckets of money in Sweet Falls so while Mitch hadn’t taken the Sinclair money Ally was helping with the bakery’s debt and even the mechanic shop. It wouldn’t be paid for all at once, but they were making progress.
Each day at noon Ally drove the truck to pick Mitch up at his community service. With a paper bag lunch in hand, she arrived at the park, or at city hall, wherever he’d be. She brought a packed brown bag lunch, with a slice of the daily pie, and they’d eat together. Then he’d drive her back to work for the day until they’d get together in the evening.
Officially, Ally was still Lauren’s roommate, but Ally secretly hoped it wouldn’t last like that forever. She hoped one day that Mitch would ask her to marry him. Baby steps, she told herself, but it was hard, but she was patient. Kind. She didn’t want to push Mitch into something he wasn’t ready for.
She smiled when she saw him coming out of the elementary school building talking to Anna Thomlinson. The uptight school principal, whom Ally had learned from dealings with the bakery, took no gruff from anyone. Mitch said good-bye to her and before Ally knew it, he slid into the truck beside her and gave her a big welcoming kiss.
“I could spend all my lunch breaks like this,” Mitch murmured against her cheek.
“You pretty much do,” Ally said with a smile. “At least for another few weeks.”
“And then what will we do?” Mitch peeled open his brown paper bag lunch. “Ohhh, egg salad today. My favorite.”
“And blueberry pie.” Proudly, Ally beamed.
“Made by my favorite baker. Just don’t tell my sister.” Mitch winked, stuffing a fair bit of sandwich int his mouth.
Ally laughed. Watching him eat sometimes make her lose her appetite, but he had been working hard all day and she wasn’t going to poke fun at him.
“My mother called,” Mitch said. “Big birthday party for my dad next weekend. Think it’s time we make the next big step and take you to meet my parents. My brother, Carl, he’s even flying in from California for the big event. Everyone will be there. Wow, you’re turning several shades of green.”
“I’m fine,” Ally said and took a deep breath. “A whole house full of Dressens and me a lonely Sinclair. What’s to be nervous about?”
“Well, I love you,” Mitch tossed his arm over her shoulder. “Lauren and Maggy will be there too which will throw a lot of weight for my mom and pop. You’ll come, won’t you?”
“Of course, I will. Maybe I’ll bake them a pie. Butter them up so they’ll like me.”
“Who wouldn’t like you? They’ll love you almost as much as I do. Once they get to know you.” Mitch crumbled up his sandwich wrapped and tossed it back into the paper bag.
And that was the part that Ally was hung up on.
“How about tonight I take you to a movie instead of staying in? Then maybe a candlelight dinner. Just you and me.”
Ally liked that idea and it helped to push her anxieties away. “That sounds perfect.”
****
THE CANDLELIGHT DINNER turned out to be a private affair at Mitch’s home. The fireplace was lit, taking away the chill of those late August nights, and there were white pillar candles lit throughout the house. They listened to soft music and slow danced in each other’s arms until the sun went down.
They ate by the fire, barely able to keep their eyes off each other until their plates were empty. With the empty dishes set down on the brick, Ally lay back against Mitch and his arms draped around her shoulders. She stared into the fire and wasn’t sure when she had ever felt so whole.
Ally just hoped that Mitch felt the same way she did.
She sighed and gazed up at him. “Is it hard for you to have me here? In the home you shared with Hannah?”
He glanced down at her, his eyes serious but relaxed. “Nah, maybe the first few times but not anymore. Now I feel pretty content that Hannah would give us her blessing.”
Ally smiled, relieved, and hoped he’d say something like that. “I don’t want to replace her or force you to put your memories of her away. I’m glad we can talk about it.”
“You’re an amazing woman, Allison Sinclair.” Mitch stroked her chin and kissed her gently. “When I’m with you, I’m sure there’s nothing we can’t do. Which is why, I have something for you.”
Ally’s full heart nearly busted at the seam. She watched as he pulled a small box from the pocket of his jeans and her heart sped into a fast gallop. It couldn’t be what she thought it was. Mitch hadn’t had the time or money to buy her a ring—had he?
“I wasn’t sure when the time would be right but now seems as good as any. I’m happy with you here. Happier than I thought I’d ever be again. I can’t give you the world. I can’t give you bundles of money, but I can give you my heart, Ally. We can have a life together, at each other’s side. If you’ll do me the honors. If you’ll be my bride.”
Mitch’s fingers shook as he opened the small box and a small diamond stared back at Ally. She was almost frozen with surprise, with fright. So much happiness flowed through her, she almost forgot to answer. It must’ve been a few moments too long because Mitch’s face turned from patient to alarmed.
“Yes,” Ally whispered, almost stammered. “Yes,” she said louder. “I’ll do anything if it’s with you. I’ll live here. Anywhere. I want to be your wife. I want to be Mrs. Mitch Dressen.”
It wouldn’t be easy. There would be challenges and the blending of two families who hated each other, but Ally listened to her heart. And her heart said that she’d be Mitch’s wife. They’d overcome whatever came their way. They’d run their mechanic shop, she’d work in the bakery, eventually they’d have children and their families would have to come around.
Wouldn’t they?
Mitch slipped the ring onto her trembling finger and Ally nearly cried. He took her face in his hands and he deeply kissed her. Ally melted against him, feeling the most whole she ever had. She had found the answer to her dreams in Sweet Falls.
And she was ready for whatever life would throw them. They’d face life’s curveballs together She was ready for her happily ever after.