Evan spent his early morning catching up with Jeff Applegate and Rodney Parker. By mid-morning, he sent Mitchell a text telling him he could leave around noon and to bring Ginger to the police department because he wanted her to meet some of the officers.

Before he knew it, there was a tap on his door. “Come in,” Evan called. When he lifted his head, Ginger’s smiling face was the first thing he saw, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

He stood and walked to the door to greet her. “Hey, darlin’. Is it lunchtime already?”

“We’re a little early. Do you want us to wait out here?”

“No, come see my office.”

Mitchell and Kayla were whispering in the hall but followed behind Ginger. They all walked in and looked around.

“Oh, you brought some of your family’s pictures from the ranch. I love that.” Pointing to a picture of her, Kayla, and Cat she asked, “When did you take this?”

“The first night you were here. Kayla and Cat were trying to teach you to shag, and you looked too cute not to snap a picture,” Evan said with a laugh. Ginger covered her giggle, but her eyes danced this time. “Let’s go to the diner around the corner where it’s quieter, and then we can walk to the courthouse to get the licenses. How does that sound?”

“I like that plan,” Ginger said.

“Perfect,” Mitchell said as Kayla nodded in agreement.

What the hell was going on? Ginger didn’t seem happy; Mitchell and Kayla hardly spoke.

They walked out of his office and around to one of the side streets. The Riverton Diner was a mom and pop restaurant that served country food in what was known as “a meat and three” meaning one meat and three vegetables. As they walked toward the restaurant, Evan noticed that Kayla and Mitchell were whispering in what seemed to be a serious conversation. Ginger was quiet, and Evan didn’t know what to make of it. When they got close to the restaurant, Evan pulled Ginger to the side and whispered into her ear,

“What’s going on? Are Mitchell and Kayla arguing? Are you okay? You need to tell me before my mind goes places you don’t like it to go, darlin’.”

Ginger took a deep breath and looked Evan in the eyes. “Kayla and I had an idea. I was going to talk to you about it later, but apparently, Kayla has already said something to Mitchell.”

Evan’s eyes scanned her face. “You can tell me anything, and you know it.”

Ginger bit her bottom lip and entwined their fingers. “You know the old saying for brides, ‘something old, something, new, something borrowed, something blue’?”

“Vaguely,” Evan said.

“Well…” Ginger stalled. “Um, I don’t know how to ask this because I don’t want to put you on the spot, and I don’t want to push you to do something you’re not ready to do, and—”

“Ginger, tell me what’s on your mind before we walk into that restaurant.”

“I would like my ‘something borrowed’ to be something of your mother’s. I want her to be a part of our wedding and our lives. I just don’t know how to do that. I know so little about her, but I won’t do it if you’re uncomfortable or don’t want me to,” Ginger rambled.

“What did Mitchell say?”

“I don’t know. My concern was asking you. I don’t need your answer now, but would you at least think about it?”

Evan released her hands, pulled her in close, and kissed the top of her head. “Yes, darlin’. Let me think about it and talk to Mitchell, okay?”

“Thank you.”

As they turned to walk into the restaurant, Evan and Mitchell’s eyes locked. “I think we need to ride the fences when I get home.”

Mitchell nodded and turned toward the opened door.

* * *

After eating lunch, they left the diner and headed toward the Probate Judge’s Office. As soon as they entered the office, they all knew the Riverton Crossing grapevine would be going wild. Through the glass partition, they could see people start whispering. One younger girl snapped a picture with her phone.

“Why didn’t we go to Cloverville to get the license?” Kayla asked.

“Maybe seeing this will help some of the gossip die down,” Evan said.

“Dream on, bro,” Mitchell replied.

Evan looked at Mitchell and narrowed his eyes. When he and Ginger stepped back up to the window with their completed form, Evan cupped Ginger’s face and thoroughly kissed her. “Thank you for agreeing to marry me, darlin’,” he said loud enough for the lady taking their application to hear. He smiled sincerely. “I love you.”

Ginger looked at him with tears in her eyes. “I love you, too.”

When they looked at the woman, she was staring at them with her mouth slightly open. She blinked her eyes and cleared her throat.

“Um, I need your signatures right here.”

As they signed, they heard someone say from behind the woman, “Did you see that?” When Evan looked up, a woman lowered her head.

The woman at the counter said, “Chief, one of you can pick this up in a week.”

“Thank you,” Evan softly said.

When Mitchell and Kayla stepped up to the window, the lady said, “It’s about time you two were in here. I was beginning to think I’d be retired before this happened.”

Kayla smiled, and Mitchell chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. I’m glad you didn’t have to wait that long.” Mitchell put his arm around Kayla and kissed her temple.

“Same as your brother, you can pick it up in a week,” the lady said.

As they left the office, they heard the women whispering. “The grapevine is going to have a field day with this,” Mitchell said.

“Good. Maybe they’ll leave Ginger alone,” Evan said as they left the building.

On their way back to the car, they stopped at the Dairy Bar for ice cream. “Want to split a sundae?” Mitchell asked Kayla.

“Chocolate ice cream with pineapple topping?” she replied with a sparkle in her eyes.

“Yes, baby, and nuts on top.” Mitchell shook his head. “I can still remember the first time you ordered that.”

“There has to be a story behind that,” Ginger said.

“Mitch and I had been dating for a while. I’m sure everyone figured we’d had sex, but I was a senior in high school, so we didn’t discuss it,” she said.

“Mac,” Mitchell said shaking his head.

“Seriously, Kayla?” Evan said.

She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, we came here one afternoon for a sundae. When Mitch ordered that for me, the lady behind the counter gave him a questioning look. He was really quick to let her know I wasn’t preggo,” Kayla laughed, “and when we got back in the truck, he quickly asked to make sure.”

Ginger giggled. “That’s priceless.”

“I laugh every time I think about it.” Kayla wrapped her arm under Mitchell’s.

When they left the Dairy Bar, they walked toward the jewelry store before their final turn toward the car. Ginger stopped when they were in front of the window. “I’ve got to get Evan’s wedding band,” she cried out. “Come on.” She pulled Evan into the store.

“Darlin’, I have my dad’s if that’s okay,” he said.

She shook her head. “No, this needs to be specific to you from me,” she said with a sweet smile on her face.

“Mitch, I haven’t bought yours either,” Kayla said as they followed Evan and Ginger inside.

Kayla and Ginger looked at the men’s wedding bands while the guys had their fingers sized. Ginger held up her hand to look at her ring. “I kinda want something to match mine,” she whispered to Kayla.

“Hmm. I like this for Mitch.” Kayla pointed to a forged wedding band made from cobalt. “If he’s on a construction site or the ranch, it won’t matter if it gets a few more bangs in it.”

“I like it,” Ginger agreed. “What do you think about this for Evan? Even though I want something that shines like a beacon so everyone knows he’s married, I think the matte finish suits him.” She pointed to a ring made from Tantalum with a matte finish. “It’s not flashy, but masculine, dominant.” She nodded confirming this was the one she wanted.

The guys waited by the door while the sales clerk pulled out the rings. The girls made their purchases and gave the clerk the inscriptions they wanted in them.

“Thank you, Mr. Connelly. Thomas will pick these up when they’re ready,” Kayla told the older gentleman.

When they walked outside Ginger said, “I wonder how long it’ll take the grapevine to hear about this.”

“Not too long.” Mitchell nodded to a lady staring at them from across the street talking on her phone. The guys gave each other a knowing look, grabbed the girls, and kissed them pure Hollywood style, dip and all.