“This place is amazing.” Hadley gestured with her cup of punch to the newly renovated Blooms Bake Shop.

“Even with the delays, we’re still only reopening a week later than planned.” Ami smiled happily. “The shop is just as I envisioned it.”

Though the It’s Cupcake Time clock remained, as did the pink and blue tables with their mismatched chairs, there’d been lots of changes to Blooms Bake Shop. With more room, other tables in equally pretty hues had been added. The trim around the windows and doors sported a fresh coat of paint in a soft mint green. That color was echoed in the large cabinet behind the bake case. Or bake cases, as there were now four running the width of the shop.

A recently acquired three-tiered round table, painted a soft rose, held various prepackaged bags of treats, while chalkboards provided patrons with the pricing for all the bakery items.

The result was a quaint shop that reflected Ami’s bubbly personality and love for her customers. Today, the bakery was filled to capacity with friends and family invited to celebrate completion of the project with sweet treats, including a Bloom staple, lavender cookies with rosewater icing.

Friends and family, Hadley thought, catching sight of David across the room speaking with Cade. Since moving to Good Hope, she’d been blessed with both. She and Brynn grew closer every day, and Hadley’s relationship with the Bloom sisters had blossomed.

The fanciful thought made her smile.

If only…

Hadley pushed the thought away. How many times in the past two weeks had she waited for David to once again tell her he loved her? She’d finally accepted that the declaration had been simply something said in the heat of a moment when he’d been worried about Brynn.

But, oh, how she wished it was true. Not because it would be nice for Brynn to have a mother and father under the same roof, but because she loved David. Heart and soul. As in wanted to spend the rest of her life making him happy.

Though David hadn’t mentioned her moving out, now that the bakery had passed inspection and the second-story apartment was ready for occupancy, there was no reason for her to remain at his house. Especially now that Brynn was back in school and no longer needed a nanny.

“How’s Brynn liking fourth grade?” Ami set down her cup and waved at Cassie, then picked up a lavender cookie.

She needs a mother. She needs me.

For a second, Hadley feared she’d spoken aloud, but Ami only continued to smile, an expectant look in her eye.

“She loves it.” Hadley’s lips curved the way they always did when she thought of her daughter. “She’s so smart and social.”

“I bet she’s loved having you around.”

Loved, Hadley thought, as in past tense.

“It’s been wonderful.” A lump formed in Hadley’s throat. “The time I’ve spent with her and David is a dream come true.”

Ami’s green eyes softened. “I knew it’d work out.”

Hadley blinked and realized she’d given her friend the wrong impression. “But—”

“There’s our girls.”

“Dad.” Ami popped the rest of the cookie in her mouth and gave her father a hug.

To Hadley’s surprise, Lynn gave her a quick hug. It really shouldn’t have been a surprise, since David’s mother had started with the hugs right after they’d made meatloaf together.

Hadley didn’t mind. She liked the closeness. Liked Lynn.

She’d be the perfect mother-in-law…

Stop it, Hadley told herself. Things were the way they were, and wishing wouldn’t make them different.

“Brynn is going to love this shop.” Lynn glanced at Hadley. “You and I will have to bring her here some weekend.”

Hadley knew she’d likely be working, but summoned a smile. “Sounds like fun.”

The four of them chatted for a few minutes. Every so often, Hadley would cast a surreptitious glance in the direction of the cupcake clock, where David was having an intense discussion with his brother.

Without warning, David turned and caught her staring. He smiled, then shot her a wink.

Hadley returned his smile as her heart swelled with love. David was simply the nicest and the best. The best guy. The best friend. The best father.

“We’re going to mingle. We’ll see you ladies later.” Steve brushed a kiss across his daughter’s cheek. “The lavender cookies taste just like the ones your mom used to make.”

High praise indeed, Hadley thought when she saw Ami blink back tears.

“Are you okay with them being together?” Hadley asked Ami as the two strolled off.

“I am.” Ami’s lips tipped up. “They’re good together. Not like him and the piranha.”

“I saw Anita earlier with Tim.” Hadley lowered her voice to a confidential whisper. “I was surprised you invited her.”

“How could I not? Lindsay is a good friend, and Anita was a personal friend of my mother, which is still something I find hard to understand.” Ami gave a little laugh. “Fin still calls her I-Need-a-Man.”

Hadley chuckled. “To her face?”

“No, though I wouldn’t put it past my sister if Anita pushed the wrong buttons.”

“Your dad was decent about his breakup with Anita. I mean, whenever I’ve seen them at the same event, he’s always gone over to speak with her.”

“He wants them to still be friends.” Ami picked up another cookie from her plate. “I remember when he decided to break it off. No ghosting for my dad. He did it face-to-face. He was so nervous beforehand.”

“Because he was worried how she’d react?”

“That was probably part of it,” Ami conceded, “but I think it was more that he’s such a nice guy and didn’t want to hurt her.”

The tightness in Hadley’s chest grew with each word. David had been nervous and secretive these past few days. Could he be planning to break it off with her?

She had no doubt he’d be willing to let her be part of Brynn’s life. The problem was, he wouldn’t be in her life.

“Are you okay?” Concern filled Ami’s voice. “You look pale all of a sudden. Are you feeling okay?”

“I feel great.” Hadley put some enthusiasm behind the words. “You’ve got a nice place here, Ami.”

“I agree.” That voice and his hand on her shoulder had Hadley turning. The love of her life stood smiling at her.

She smiled back. “Hey, you.”

The look in his eyes was as warm as the clasp of his hand.

“David.” Ami flashed a bright smile. “I’m glad you and Hadley could make it.”

David gestured wide with an arm. “This is a first-rate remodel. It looks good.”

“Kyle and his crew did a fabulous job.” Ami glanced over to where the contractor stood, his wife at his side. “We hoped to be open by Labor Day. But this worked out. I’m sure you and Brynn didn’t mind having Hadley under your roof for an extra week or so.”

David grinned. “It was difficult, but we made it work.”

Ami laughed. “Speaking of Kyle, I haven’t had a chance to say hello to him and Eliza.”

“Go.” David slung an arm around Hadley’s shoulders. “I’ll keep this one company.”

Ami wiggled her fingers in good-bye, then disappeared into the crowd.

“I haven’t seen much of you since we arrived.” Hadley winced. What was she thinking? It wasn’t as if they were joined at the hip.

He cocked his head. “Will you take a drive with me?”

Her heart stuttered. “Where to?”

David put his palm against her back. “Somewhere more private.”

“Sure. Great.” Hadley forced herself to breathe in and out as they said their good-byes.

By the time David turned into the drive leading into Peninsula State Park, Hadley had to resist the impulse to urge David to simply spit it out. She’d rather he just told her he wanted to be friends, rather than making small talk about the changes to the bakery and then the weather.

The weather.

A clear sign this little trip to somewhere private wouldn’t end well.

By the time David pulled into an empty parking lot next to the recently reopened observation tower, Hadley felt numb inside.

He hurried around the front of the car to open her door. It figured he’d be solicitous. David was like Steve in that respect, a true gentleman, no matter what the circumstances.

David took her hand when she stepped from the car, and Hadley didn’t pull away.

If he could be polite, she could do no less. Besides, this might be one of the last times that she would be able to touch him, other than in the most casual manner.

They walked to the base of Eagle Tower, originally built as a lookout for forest fires. The new structure rose high over the Bay of Green Bay.

Hadley inclined her head back. “I’ve never been up here. They closed the old one shortly after I moved here.”

“The wood had deteriorated, plus it had been determined the load-bearing weight wasn’t adequate for public use.” David cast her a sideways glance. “Feel like doing some climbing?”

“Sure.” Since exercise was supposed to reduce anxiety, Hadley figured a bunch of steps were just what the doctor ordered. “Want to race me to the observation deck?”

David laughed. “Maybe another time.”

The breeze off Green Bay riffled his dark hair. In jeans, a blue polo and sneakers, he looked more like a man on vacation than a prominent architect.

With great effort, Hadley pulled her gaze from him. She began to climb, feeling like a condemned prisoner on her way to the gallows.

“We’ll be able to talk privately once we reach the top.” David fell into step beside her. “We’ll be alone and undisturbed.”

“Not necessarily. The tower is open to the public.”

“Obviously, you didn’t notice the sign Cade put up.”

Hadley saw no reason to mention she’d been too busy looking at him. “What did it say?”

“The tower is closed, by order of the sheriff’s department, for the next hour.”

Hadley stopped suddenly. “Can Cade do that?”

“He did.” David grinned. “An extra thank-you for the plans I drew up for him and Marigold.”

“You could have just done this at the house,” Hadley muttered.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.” Hadley picked up the pace. Cade had deliberately given David the privacy he needed. Did everyone but her know this was going down today?

Ami didn’t. Hadley was sure of it. Her friend wouldn’t have let her walk into this blind. She would have given her a heads-up.

Hey, Hadley, the man you love is going to tell you today that he just wants to be friends. Hadley winced at the thought as she stepped onto the observation deck.

“I used to climb up here in high school when I had thinking to do, or when something was gnawing at me.” David’s sheepish smile had her stomach clenching. “I know it sounds crazy, but this place always helped put things in focus.”

The best Hadley could manage was a nod. She moved to the rail and gripped it tight. Gazing west, she stared, unseeing, at the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the distance.

“Like I said, there’s something important I need to say to you.”

The serious dip in his tone had Hadley releasing her death grip on the rail. She wasn’t a coward. She would face him and hear what he had to say with her head high. But she turned too quickly and stumbled.

David was there, the way he always was for her, hands on her arms to steady her. The fragrant woodsy scent from the cedar trees mixed with the familiar citrus of his cologne.

“You’re trembling.” Concern filled his voice, and he pulled her tight.

“Just say it.” She stiffened and pushed him back, resisting the overwhelming urge to burrow into him. “I want this over with.”

He stepped back, and his lips twitched. “I believe it’s customary to drop to one knee first.”

Hadley stared. “Dr-drop to one knee?”

“When you propose to the woman you love.” As if needing to touch her, he tenderly brushed back a strand of hair. “I believe it’s common to say a few words, too. If you don’t mind, that is.”

It took several erratic heartbeats for Hadley to find her voice. She waved a hand. “I don’t mind. Talk away.”

Amusement mixed with the tenderness on David’s face. He took her hand, caressing the palm with his thumb. “Hadley Newhouse, I believe we were destined to find each other when the time was right. In addition to being the love of my life, you’re my closest friend. With you, I can be myself. You bring out the best in me.”

The impact of David’s heartfelt words washed over Hadley.

This man knew her.

This man loved her.

Her heart leaped to her throat when he dropped to one knee and pulled a ring from his pocket. The emerald-cut diamond in an ornate platinum setting flashed fire.

“I want you to marry me, Hadley. I want us to build a life together. You, me, Brynn and any other children we might have. If there are hard times, we’ll get through them. I firmly believe there isn’t anything you and I can’t face as long as we’re together.”

Love swirled, filling her to bursting, while blood flowed like warm honey through her veins.

David shot her a questioning glance as he continued to hold the ring between his thumb and forefinger. “Want to try it on? You don’t need to give me an answer right away, if you’re not sure.”

She extended her left hand. As he slid the sparkling diamond on her finger, she remembered him telling her once that Whitney preferred to buy her own gifts, because none of his was ever exactly right.

Hadley gazed at the ring, then back into the face of the man who was the right one for her. “I don’t need to take time to consider. It’s absolutely perfect. You’re absolutely perfect for me. You are the man I love, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Only you. Now and forever. So, yes to everything you asked, and more.”

With a whoop of delight, David sprang to his feet and gathered her close. He covered her lips with his in a sweet kiss of promise. “I’m going to make you so happy.”

She planted a kiss at the base of his neck. “If I was any happier, I’d explode.”

He chuckled, a low pleasant rumbling sound. Gently tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, he murmured, “Tonight, after Brynn is in bed, we’ll celebrate. Just the two of us.”

Anticipation skittered up her spine. Winding her arms around his neck, Hadley kissed him softly on the mouth. Off to her right, a bird landed on the rail.

As if reluctant to give up the intimacy once the kiss ended, David moved his arm so her hand slid down to his. He gently locked their fingers together.

“Do you think Brynn will be surprised?”

He flashed a grin. “Not a chance.”

Still holding David’s hand, Hadley moved to the rail. She expected the bird to fly off, but the grosbeak simply cocked its head and watched her through sharp brown eyes.

Gazing over the rail, Hadley took in the beauty that was Door County. Fall colors were expected to peak early this year, and already, the trees were turning shades of rust, yellow and orange.

This was home.

A lump formed in her throat. Tears sprang to her eyes.

David frowned and tugged her close. He wiped the tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “What’s wrong?”

Hadley gave a little laugh, feeling foolish. “I’m just happy. So very happy.”

David stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His breath was a soft caress on her neck.

As she reveled in the love of a man who knew all her secrets, the bird with the black head and bright red breast spread its wings and soared off.

David’s mouth moved up her neck, scattering kisses and making her shiver.

“No more cages,” she murmured.

He lifted his lips. “Did you say something, my darling fiancée?”

Hadley turned and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. “Kiss me again, then let’s go home and tell our daughter the good news.”