Ann shifts slightly, squinting in the sun. “But how did you know we saw you arm in arm? And how did you know we would be here on the beach right now?”
“Yeah,” chimes Bree. “Are you, like, stalking us?” Under her breath she mutters, “Creepy.”
Tanner looks quickly at my mom, then back to Ann. “A little bird told me,” he says. “And good thing, too. I was pretty bummed. The worst part was not knowing what I did wrong.”
“Which bird?” asks Dad.
Tanner smiles sheepishly. “I can’t reveal my sources.”
“Well, it’s perfect,” Ann says like she’s in the middle of a dream.
“And cheesy,” Bree says under her breath.
Ann shuts her up with a quick glare.
Tanner is shuffling his feet in the sand. “So am I forgiven?”
Rather than simply telling him yes, Ann steps forward and gives him a huge hug.
“Gross,” I say loud enough for them to hear.
“So forgiven,” Ann whispers while they’re still hugging. When Dad makes a little ahem sound, she lets go and steps back.
“Then I have two more things,” Tanner tells her.
I hadn’t noticed before, but Tanner had one hand behind his back the whole time he was standing there, even while Ann was hugging him. When he brings his other hand around front, he is holding a piece of paper and small box. First he hands the paper to Dad. “This is for you, sir.”
At first Dad looks concerned, but once he starts reading, his mouth turns into a smile. “A blatant appeal to the lawyer in me,” he says when he’s done.
“Read it out loud, Dell,” Mom tells him. “We all want to hear.”
Dad clears his throat. “Mr. Bennett, I’m sorry for all of the confusion. The last time we spoke, you said I broke a verbal agreement. Would you mind if we formalized that agreement in writing?” Still smiling, he looks up at Ann, then continues. “There’s a subtitle that reads, Application to date your daughter: Under contractual agreement, I, the undersigned applicant, do hereby swear to do nothing that would undermine the trust of Dell and Emily Bennett. For the right and privilege of dating their daughter, Ann Bennett, I do solemnly promise to be courteous and kind to her at all times, to treat her with respect, and to ensure her safety. I do also promise that she will be brought home on time. Furthermore, and above all, I do agree that I will not break Ann’s heart. Signed, Tanner Rich.” He pauses, slowly eyeing Tanner. “Young man, I’ll be happy to countersign this when we get back to the house. You have my permission to take Ann on a date.”
Tanner is grinning. “Awesome. Then, Ann, this is for you.”
When she opens up the small box, there is a note inside: Ann Bennett, please do me the honor of going on at least one date with me. Time? Tomorrow night at six pm. Dinner? Yes. Other activity? It’s a surprise!
Below the note is a tightly folded pair of plastic dish gloves. “Uhh…?” she says when she holds them up.
“They’re for our date,” he says, smiling.
“Rubber gloves?” asks Dad. “Maybe I should rethink signing this.”
“Trust me, sir, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s not anything weird. Just…unique. She’ll appreciate the gloves.”
“Well, thank you,” Ann says. “I think. I look forward to…whatever it is we’re doing.” She turns to Mom. “And thank you for talking to Tanner.”
“Well, if it was me, I’m not saying. My lips are officially locked.” She turns an imaginary key near her mouth.
“That’s what Ann really wants,” I snicker. “Lip locking!”
Ann goes rigid. “Can I punch him, Mom? Please?”
Everyone laughs except Tanner, who is blushing.
“Cade,” Dad says, “consider yourself warned. One more comment like that and I’ll let her at you.”
“I can outrun her easily.”
“But you can’t hide forever, little man,” she says, holding up a clenched fist.
“Ah, sibling love,” says Mom. “And on that note, I think it’s about time for our dinner reservation. I bet we can squeeze in one more. Tanner, you care to join us?”
“I’d love to,” he replies, “but my mom and Laura are already cooking something. I think they’ll be mad if I skip. Thanks anyways, though.” He looks at Ann. “So, tomorrow night?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
As Tanner walks away, Ann takes several big sniffs of the roses, breathing in the aroma.
“You act like you’ve never smelled flowers before,” says Bree as we continue walking toward the inn.