Instead of going to the front of the house, he walked her to the lower level that led to the basement. Editon opened the door to a booming shout of ‘Surprise!?”
She saw her mom and dad, Tegan and all of her new friends from the wine shop, and in the middle of the group, Noah.
Kady walked toward Noah. He grinned from ear to ear. “Welcome home, Mom.”
“What? What are you talking about?” she glanced around the room.
Editon came beside her and took her hand. “Noah’s been coming here every day after school to help me get the lower level of my house finished. He came up with a plan and asked if the two of you could move in here when it was done. With the money Noah’s earned, he’s paid the first and last month?s rent.”
Kady’s dad walked to her and put a hand on her arm. “I know this is a surprise, but Noah wanted it this way.?
“It needs a little more furniture and Editon said he’d give me a loan to buy a TV and an Xbox.” Noah kissed her on the cheek. “I know I didn’t cause the fire in California, but this way, I feel that I can help make that up to you. I’ve seen you cry too often and I wanted to make you smile. The night we came back, I believed what you told me. You were right, things got better.”
Kady felt a tear slip from her eye and run down her cheeks. She sniffed and wiped at it.
Noah’s eyes grew wide. “Mom, I thought you’d be happy about this.”
Editon wiped the tears from Kady’s other cheek and smiled at Noah. “She is happy, Noah. She’s very happy.”
Her dad cut her off, “I gave my blessings. It’s been great having the two of you living at our house, but let’s face it, there just isn’t the room. Noah needs his own room, and I want my couch back at night.” He chuckled.
She looked around at the pale yellow walls with the navy blue accents. There was a couch and a few chairs with a pellet stove in the corner for heat, and a small kitchen in the corner.
Tegan stepped closer. “I helped the boys with a few decorating choices. Noah and Editon gave me some hints and working with you, I kind of knew your taste. We wanted to get just a few things to get you and Noah settled and then you can pick the rest.”
Kady picked up a carved little wooden bird off the table. “This is from the shop. I loved this.”
“I remembered what you said. That was really the first thing we got for the place.” Tegan gave her a hug.
“You did all this work in just a few weeks?” Kady asked Editon, still trying to let it all sink in.
“With Noah’s help, and then August and a few others came over when they could,” Editon said.
“Even my debate club came over. I told them they could have some meetings here after Christmas. I hope that’s okay.” Noah took the girl next to him by the hand. “Mom, this is Naira.”
The dark-eyed girl stepped forward and held out here hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Randall. Noah and I are in debate club together.”
Kady shook the girl?s hand and then took note, as Naira took Noah’s hand again. “I think I have missed a lot in the past month.”
“I didn’t think we were going to get it done, but it was important to Noah. He wanted it to be a Christmas present,” Editon said, and then grinned.
“It’s the best Christmas present ever,” Kady said. “But, Dad, are you all right with me living under Editon’s roof? I know you’re old-fashioned, and I don’t want to upset you after all that you’ve done for Noah and me.”
“I think it will be all right,” her dad said and took her mom?s hand.
Editon smiled. “Your dad said that it would be all right if I married you ‘pretty soon.’ I’m not sure what that time frame is, so I didn’t want to upset him.” Editon reached in his pocket dropped to one knee and opened the box. “I know it’s speeding things up. I was going to wait for a few more months, but I just can’t. Kady, will you marry me?”
She stared at the ring box and then looked at Noah.
“You deserve to be happy, Mom. Editon’s a great guy. If you want to say yes, please do it. Say yes.” Noah smiled.
She looked back at Editon and said barely above a whisper, “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slipped the ring on her finger, stood, and enveloped her in a giant hug. Then he took her face and kissed her. “I love you, Kady.”
“I love you, too.” She grabbed him and kissed him again.”
All of her friends and family applauded, then came up to them one by one and gave them hugs.
“I jumped the gun saying the house was the best Christmas present ever. Now, I think that you have added to that.” She tipped her hand from side to side. It was a gold band with Native American carvings intermixed with colored stone.
Editon rubbed a thumb along the ring. “I wanted to give you a reason to stay in Vine Grove, and I hope that reason can be me.”