Lacey was fidgeting when she walked into the office at Home Pro first thing in the morning. Brody looked up and asked, “Is something going on? You’re acting like a second grader who can’t stand still.”

“I need to tell you something, Mr. Sexton, and please, don’t think I’m crazy. Be happy for me. I’m more excited than I’ve been since Billy Green invited me to the prom. My mom says I shrieked at the top of my lungs then. She was worried I was going to faint.”

Brody turned away from his computer and rolled his chair toward Lacey’s desk, but he kept his left hand hidden out of sight. He said, “You have to share the details. I want to be excited, too, and it must be good because I’ve never seen you like this before. Just don’t faint on me. That four-day weekend must have been a doozy.”

Lacey held up her hand to show Brody a ring. She shouted, “He popped the question! I can’t help it, Mr. Sexton! I want to squeal like a little girl!”

“Seb? That old devil.”

Lacey put her hands on her hips. “Of course it was Seb. Who else would it be? We’re so in love. He was so so sweet. He got down on his knee in the lobby of the movie theater.”

“The movie theater?” asked Brody.

She grinned. “Yeah. It’s where we went on our first date, and we were back again to watch a chick movie. Seb takes me to romantic movies, and he gave me the ring before the movie started. I don’t remember anything about what happened in it. I could only think about being married to Seb. I confess. I started thinking about colors and seeing him in a tux. He’s so sexy.”

Brody grinned. “I’m so happy for you, Lacey. I don’t think you’re crazy at all. The two of you are the best couple I know except for another one that I know.”

Lacey looked confused. “Another couple? Who are they, Mr. Sexton?”

“I have some news of my own to share.” Brody pulled his hand out from behind his desk to show the engagement ring on his finger.

Lacey squealed and jumped up and down. “Oh, Mr. Sexton! That’s fantastic! You and Dak? Wow!”

“Yes!” Brody reached out for Lacey, and they shared a big, warm hug. “He got down on his knee, too, except he did it on the bank of the river instead of at a movie theater.”

“That’s very sweet,” said Lacey. “The river is pretty important to the two of you, isn’t it?”

“I guess it is. There are a lot of memories there. I used to go to the park downtown with my grandparents and Grandpa grilled hamburgers and zucchini. Then Dak started working on the riverboats.”

“When is the big date, Mr. Sexton?”

“We haven’t settled on it for sure, but we’re thinking October. We both thought it would be fun to have it close to the date of my mom’s birthday. You know, when Dak offered me the ring, and I said yes, I thought I could feel my mom hug me from behind. I think she would be pleased about me marrying Dak. She always liked him. I’m sure she’ll be at the wedding.”

Lacey said, “Oh, I know she will. Her spirit won’t miss it. She loved you so much, Mr. Sexton, and she was such a good mom. Look how you turned out!”

Brody blushed. “I guess I’m okay.”

“I think you’re the best boss in town. I’m not the only person here at Home Pro who feels that way.”

They both turned when they heard a knock on the office door. Dak peered in through the door’s small window. Brody said, “It’s Dak. I wonder why he’s here.”

As Brody reached for the door, Lacey said, “I can leave you alone in private. I can find something to do out in the store.”

Brody said, “No, not yet at least.” He reached out to hug Dak.

Lacey said, “Congratulations Dak! Mr. Sexton just told me about his ring.”

“Did he tell you about the other big news?”

Lacey turned toward Brody and said, “No, I don’t think so. Did you get a job up in Minneapolis, Dak? Mr. Sexton said awhile back that you were keeping your eyes open when the two of you go up there on weekends.”

“Oh, I haven’t heard anything. I’m not pushing so hard on the job now,” said Dak. “We’re working on something much much better.”

Brody grinned. “No, I haven’t said anything about this to anyone yet. It’s one of those things I’ve kept secret and close in my heart.”

“Can I tell her?” asked Dak. “I mean, you probably know what I found out already, Brody. It’s good news.”

“Not the really huge news, though?” asked Dak.

“No, but we’re on our way now.”

Lacey turned her head looking first at Dak and then back to Brody. She asked, “Will somebody please tell me what you’re talking about? I’m dying of curiosity.”

“We got accepted into adoption classes,” said Dak. “Every time I say that my legs feel like rubber.”

Lacey exclaimed, “Congratulations! That’s so exciting! The two of you are going to be dads? I’m so jealous of your little boy or girl.”

They all three smiled and laughed in unison.

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Thank you for reading Private Hearts. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.

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