1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber Page A

daughter had gone out with other young men through the years, but she felt the same way about Anson.
    â€œI believe this conversation is leading up to something,” Zach said.
    â€œI’d like to ask your permission to marry Allison,” Anson said quickly.
    Zach leaned back on the sofa. He’d known this was coming, but hadn’t thought it would be so soon. “Allison still has a year of law school left.”
    â€œI know. We’ve talked about that and she’s applied to law schools in the Washington, D.C., area.”
    Zach arched his brows. “She has, has she?” Apparently,this had been an ongoing discussion between them. “So Allison’s already accepted your proposal?”
    â€œNo, sir,” Anson said. Then he nodded. “Well, yes. I realize speaking to you about this is just formality, but it’s important to me.”
    Zach sent him an encouraging smile.
    â€œAllison wanted me to give her the ring when she picked me up at the airport. I told her I wanted to talk to you and Mrs. Cox first.”
    Zach could bet his daughter hadn’t been keen on that. He approved, though. He liked Anson’s old-fashioned sense of protocol and his respect for both Allison and her family.
    â€œRosie!” Zach called his wife. “Could you come here for a minute? Allison, you, too.”
    â€œSure.”
    Allison came into the other room, holding her mother’s hand.
    â€œIt seems that Anson here would like our permission to marry our daughter.”
    Rosie turned to look at Allison. “But you haven’t finished school yet and…you’re both so young.”
    â€œThey’ve taken both matters into account and still want to get married. Allison will continue her schooling in D.C.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œWhat do you think?” Zach asked Rosie.
    â€œWell…yes, of course. I would welcome Anson into the family with open arms.”
    â€œOh, thank you, Mom.” Allison kissed her mother’s cheek and then hurried across the room to her father.
    â€œHold on a minute,” Zach said, stopping her. “I haven’t given my consent.”
    â€œDaddy!”
    Wearing a huge grin, Zach stood and hugged his daughter, and then Anson. “I couldn’t imagine a son-in-law I’d rather have. You both have our blessing.” Zach was confident in the strength of this relationship, despite their age. They’d proven their commitment to each other. He’d miss his daughter, but the family was close and they’d see her frequently.
    â€œWhat’s going on in here?” Eddie asked, returning to the living room.
    â€œAnson and I are engaged.”
    â€œCool,” Eddie said.
    â€œWe’d like a June wedding, and then I’ll move to Washington, D.C., to be with Anson.”
    Eddie shook his head. “I don’t know about Mom and Dad having an empty nest.”
    â€œHey, it hasn’t been a problem so far,” Zach told him.
    â€œBut it could be.” Eddie seemed intent on making his case. “Allison’s going to be on the other side of the country, and I’ll be away at school.”
    Rosie frowned and looked at Zach. He shrugged, unsure what his son was getting at.
    â€œMom,” Eddie said. “You need someone to mother. And, Dad, who are you going to boss around? Everyone knows Mom won’t put up with that for long.”
    Allison laughed, but Zach was less amused.
    â€œNow, just a minute, young man—”
    Eddie interrupted him. “I’ve come up with the perfect solution.”
    â€œYou have?”
    Eddie nodded. He turned away for a moment and stepped into the hallway, then came back carrying a basket—with a puppy curled up inside, fast asleep.
    â€œMerry Christmas, Mom and Dad.”
    â€œA puppy!” Rosie said, lifting the sleeping pup from his warm bed and holding him close. “He’s adorable!”
    â€œWhat a great idea.”