Chapter 22
22
ENNIO
I stepped out of Marnin’s car, my boots crunching in the fresh snow that blanketed Auden’s front yard. We’d had perfect timing with our drive to Forestville, as it had snowed all day yesterday. It hadn’t bothered me since I’d been inside anyway, cooking and preparing all the food for the party.
But the snow definitely added charm to the party. Icicle lights twinkled along the roof line and a large pine wreath adorned the red front door. It looked like a winter wonderland straight out of a Hallmark movie.
As I walked toward the front door, carrying the last tray of deviled eggs, Marnin came up beside me, his arm lightly brushing mine. My heart skipped a beat at the casual contact. God, the smallest touch from him set me on fire. It was getting harder and harder to remind myself that this thing between us couldn’t possibly be going anywhere.
Excited chatter reached us before we even stepped inside. We were far from the first guests to arrive. Auden had been in charge of the decorations—which meant Keaton had done it as my brother wouldn’t know how to make a house this stylish—and it looked amazing and inviting.
A towering fir tree dominated the living room, dripping with silver and blue glass balls, all with the number seventy-five on them. More pine boughs and twinkling white lights were strung along the mantle and banisters, and everywhere, that same number showed up. At least no one would mistake this for a Christmas party.
Curious glances followed us as we entered the house together, followed by the quiet murmur of gossip. Most people here knew Marnin and me, so us arriving together was bound to raise some eyebrows. Heat crept up my neck as I imagined what they must be thinking.
“Ignore them,” Marnin muttered, clearly noticing my discomfort. “Bunch of busybodies.”
I flashed him a grateful smile. “Well, we do make for quite the dashing pair. They’re probably admiring how devastatingly handsome we are.”
Marnin snorted. “Sure, that must be it.” A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
We found my parents in the kitchen. I kissed my mom, who was busy pouring drinks for all the guests, even though we’d hired some of Violet’s classmates to help out, and then hugged my dad. “Happy birthday, Dad.”
“Thank you, Ennio. And thank you for all your hard work to make this party possible.”
“My pleasure, Dad.”
Then my dad turned to Marnin and extended his hand. “It’s good to see you, son.”
“Happy birthday, Sheriff. You look mighty spry.”
My father’s laugh boomed through the room as he shook Marnin’s hand. “That’s such a clever insult, isn’t it? Nobody uses the word spry to describe anything but old people, so you just effectively called me old.”
Marnin grinned. “Nah, that’s all your imagination.”
“Are you ever going to call me anything other than Sheriff? I haven’t been the sheriff in a long time.”
Marnin shrugged. “You’ll always be Sheriff Frant to me.”
My father slapped his shoulder, his grin broad. It warmed my heart to see the genuine affection between them, especially now that I knew a little more about Marnin’s background.
Marnin turned to me. “Ready to face the firing squad?” He jerked his head toward the crowded living room.
“Bring it on.”
Taking a deep breath, I followed him into the fray of the party, bracing myself for an evening of battling my growing feelings for this frustrating, complicated, utterly irresistible man.
I started making the rounds, greeting everyone who’d shown up, and to my surprise, Marnin stayed by my side. I’d expected him to leave me on my own as soon as he could, but he stuck with me, ignoring the whispers and glances.
Once everyone had arrived, we gathered my parents, and the crowd erupted into a chorus of “Happy Birthday,” the joyful sound rising to fill the room as Dad stood before his beautifully decorated cake, a wide grin splitting his face. Brianna, who owned a bakery in town and had been in the same graduating class as Marnin and my brother, had truly outdone herself. The cake was a masterpiece of snowy white frosting dusted with edible glitter, adorned with intricate fondant snowflakes that glimmered in the soft light.
As the song ended, Dad picked up the silver cake knife, pausing to survey the smiling faces surrounding him. His eyes landed on me, and I felt a lump form in my throat at the pride and affection shining in his gaze. With a decisive motion, he sliced into the cake, the blade sinking through layers of moist vanilla sponge and rich buttercream. Brianna stepped forward to help him serve, her freckled face flushed with pleasure at the appreciative murmurs rippling through the crowd.
Marnin’s hand found the small of my back, a subtle touch that sent warmth flooding through me. I glanced up at him, my heart stuttering at the softness in his eyes.
“That cake looks almost as good as you do,” he murmured, his voice pitched low for my ears only. “I don’t know whether I want a slice or a taste of you more.”
My cheeks heated, desire coiling hot and tight in my belly. “Behave,” I whispered, fighting the urge to melt into his touch. “We’re in public, remember?”
“How could I forget?” His hand slid lower, fingers grazing the curve of my ass before falling away. “But later, when it’s just the two of us…”
He let the unspoken promise hang in the air between us, a tantalizing hint of pleasures to come. I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like my skin was two sizes too small. He was flirting with me. In public. Where everyone could see. What did that mean?
Before I could formulate a response, Dad’s voice cut through the chatter filling the room. “If I could have everyone’s attention for just a moment…”
The conversations died down as all eyes turned to him. He reached for my mom’s hand and together, they faced the crowd.
“I want to thank you all for coming out to celebrate with me today,” he began, his usually even voice thick with emotion. “Seventy-five years…it’s hard to believe sometimes. I’ve seen a lot of life in those years, and I’m grateful for every minute of it. It makes a man look back and appreciate what he has.”
His gaze drifted to me, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I’m especially grateful for my family. Cora, I’m so grateful to have found you and for the joy you’ve brought into our lives. Auden and Ennio…I couldn’t ask for two finer sons. You two make me so proud. And, Ennio, the food you made for today is absolutely fantastic. You worked your butt off, and it shows. I’m a lucky man to have a chef like you in the family.”
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes, and I rapidly blinked them away, not wanting to make a spectacle of myself. Hearing Dad single me out, voice his pride in me so openly in front of everyone… It meant more than I could put into words.
“More than anything else, looking back has made me realize that family isn’t always forged by blood…but by love and choice. It has blessed us with a bonus son, whom I love as if he were my own…” He looked pointedly at Marnin, whose soft, shocked gasp didn’t escape me. “With a wonderful son-in-law and daughter-in-law…” He nodded at Keaton and Tricia because, of course, he would include Auden’s ex-wife as well. “And with the four smartest, kindest, and most amazing grandkids a grandfather could have.”
Auden and Keaton pulled their kids close, and the moment of love they shared made me tear up all over again.
“So if you ask me what I have learned these seventy-five years, it’s this: love matters more than anything else. As the Bible says, love is patient, love is kind . It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud . It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fail s.”
The room was dead quiet, everyone listening with rapt attention to my father’s rich baritone. He had such a commanding presence, yet it was based on respect and kindness, not on fear.
“Thank you all for coming. I appreciate it more than words can express.”
As soon as he was done, I crossed the room to him, wrapping my arms around his still-broad shoulders in a fierce hug. He smelled like the same spicy aftershave he’d used my entire life, a scent that spelled home, safety, and love.
“I love you, Dad,” I whispered, my voice cracking on the words. “Thank you so much.”
His arms tightened around me, one weathered hand coming up to pat my hair just like he used to do when I was a little boy. “I love you too, kiddo. More than you know.”
We held each other for a long moment, the rest of the party fading until it felt like just the two of us. My heart swelled with a deep affection for this man who, despite our differences, had always been my rock. But most of all, I felt a profound gratitude for this moment, for the reminder of how much my father truly cared. No matter what else happened, I would always have the steady foundation of his love to stand on.
Finally, reluctantly, I pulled back, swiping surreptitiously at my damp eyes. Dad cleared his throat gruffly, but I caught the telltale glimmer of moisture in his own gaze before he blinked it away.
“Enough of this sappy stuff,” he said with a chuckle, giving my shoulder one last squeeze. “Let’s eat some more of that delicious-looking cake before Brianna thinks we don’t appreciate her hard work.”
Laughter rumbled through the room, and just like that, the heavy emotional moment passed, replaced by the cheerful buzz of conversation and the clinking of forks against plates as Brianna dished up more generous slices of her cake.
As I watched Dad, now holding court in his armchair and soaking up the good wishes of his friends and neighbors, a profound sense of contentment settled over me. No, my relationship with my father would never be perfect. We were too different, our personalities destined to clash at times. But that didn’t change the deep well of love between us, the unshakable bond of family.
Marnin appeared at my elbow, two plates of cake in hand. Wordlessly, he passed me one, his fingers brushing mine and sending sparks skittering over my skin. “You okay?” he asked quietly, studying my face with those keen eyes that never missed a thing.
I leaned into him, just slightly, savoring the solid strength of his presence at my side. “Yeah. I’m good. Better than good, actually.”
I wanted to ask how he was, how my father’s declaration had made him feel, but I knew better than that. Even if he wanted to talk about it—which I sincerely doubted—it wouldn’t be in public.
Marnin and I made our way around the crowded living room, stopping to chat with various guests, then headed toward the little cluster of Marnin’s friends gathered by the fireplace. Auden greeted me with a one-armed hug, careful not to slosh his drink. “Holding up okay? You must be exhausted after being in the kitchen all day yesterday.”
“Nah, I’m good,” I assured him, warmed by the genuine concern in his eyes. “I’m used to it, and I was happy to do it. Glad to see Dad enjoying himself.”
“He deserves it,” Marnin interjected, his shoulder brushing mine as he sidled closer. “Seventy-five years young and still going strong.”
“Must be that clean mountain living,” Fir remarked.
I went to take another sip of my wine, only to discover my glass was empty. Before I could even ask, Marnin took the glass from my hand. “I’ll grab you another.”
My cheeks heated as I watched him walk away.
“That’s new,” Cas mumbled in my ear. “I’ve never seen him like that.”
“Don’t. I know what you’re thinking, but don’t. It doesn’t mean anything. It can’t.”
Cas shot me a look that told me he didn’t believe my BS for one second, but Marnin returned, so he let it go.
“Looks like we’re the talk of the town,” Marnin murmured, his breath warm against my ear as he handed me my wine. “I don’t think they’ve ever seen me quite so…attentive before.”
I glanced up at him, my heart stuttering at the open affection in his eyes. “Is that so?” I asked, trying for a teasing tone even as my pulse raced. “And here I thought you were using me as your personal chef.”
Marnin laughed, the rich, warm sound of it washing over me like honey. “Oh, I’m definitely using you,” he agreed, his gaze turning heated. “But not for your cooking skills. You have other…skills I’m quite fond of.”
I flushed, desire and anticipation coiling hot and heavy in my belly. The promise in his words, in the deliberate brush of his fingers against my hip, was enough to make me weak in the knees. But more than that, it was the open acknowledgment of our connection, the way he seemed utterly unashamed to be seen with me, that made my heart soar.
I’d been expecting someone to ask, and it turned out to be Brianna. She turned her curious gaze on Marnin and me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So, you two…” She gestured between us with a knowing grin. “Are you together now?”
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry as I waited for Marnin’s response. A thousand doubts raced through my mind. No way would he acknowledge what was happening between us. Or if he did, he’d label it casual, nothing more than sex. I braced myself for the worst, trying to school my features into a mask of nonchalance even as my heart threatened to beat out of my chest.
But then Marnin’s arm tightened around my waist, pulling me flush against his side, and he fixed Brianna with a steady, unwavering gaze. “Yes,” he said, his voice loud enough to rise above the chatter and ringing with conviction. “Ennio and I are together.”
A wave of emotion crashed over me, so intense it stole the breath from my lungs. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, and I blinked them back furiously, not wanting to make a scene. But oh, how those words meant everything to me—a declaration of commitment, belonging, and a possible future together.
I leaned into Marnin’s embrace, turning my face into the crook of his neck to hide the wetness on my cheeks. His hand came up to cradle the back of my head, his fingers threading through my hair in a gesture of infinite tenderness. “I’ve got you,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear.
“I’ll be goddamned,” Auden said, sounding utterly baffled. “Who the fuck are you, and what have you done with the Marnin I know?”
“People change,” Cas spoke up, coming to Marnin’s defense. “You should know that better than anyone.”
I loved that he was the youngest by far, yet he didn’t hesitate to speak his mind, not even against my sheriff brother. Auden held up his hands. “Fair enough. I’ll back off.”
Around us, the party continued on, the buzz of conversation and laughter filling the air. But at that moment, the world narrowed to just the two of us—Marnin’s solid presence at my side, the warmth of his skin against mine, the promise of a future together stretching out before us like a glittering horizon. I hadn’t allowed myself to hope before, but now I did, and my heart was full of it. Of him. Of my love for him.
Because, of course, I was in love with him. I had been for a while, just unwilling to acknowledge it out of fear of getting hurt. But surely I could allow myself to dream now, right? To let some of what I was feeling inside shine through?
A few minutes later, I escaped into the hallway, where I leaned against the wall. I needed a moment away from everyone’s prying eyes.
“You okay?” Marnin had followed me and now stood close as he shoved his hands into his pockets, clearly uncomfortable. “I should’ve asked you before I said that. Sorry.”
“It was fine. I mean, I’m glad you said it.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m…” No, I couldn’t say it. Not yet. Even now, I had to take things slow with him. “I’ve been wanting to see if there could be more between us.”
He slowly nodded. “We’re a good match outside of bed as well.”
Be still my beating heart. No, he’d never be a romantic, but that was okay. My heart still soared at Marnin’s declaration, his words igniting a fierce, unquenchable joy within me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and kissed him. His tongue slid against mine in a sensual dance, stoking the embers of desire that always seemed to smolder between us. We kissed unhurriedly until my neck started to hurt from craning.
“We should probably rejoin the party,” Marnin murmured against my lips, though he made no move to pull away. “People will start to wonder where we’ve disappeared to.”
I grinned up at him, feeling giddy, reckless, and utterly, incandescently happy. “Let them wonder,” I said, trailing my fingers along the sharp line of his jaw. “I want to stay right here with you for as long as possible.”
Marnin’s eyes darkened, and he leaned in to nip at my earlobe, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine. “Careful, baby,” he growled, his voice low and rough. “Keep talking like that, and I may have to drag you off to some dark corner and have my wicked way with you.”
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. “Is that a promise?” I teased, running my hands over the broad expanse of his chest.
“Oh, it’s definitely a promise,” he said, capturing my mouth in another searing kiss that left me breathless and aching for more.
We lingered for a few more stolen moments, trading kisses, before reluctantly disentangling ourselves and returning to the party. As we stepped into the crowded living room, Marnin’s arm came around me in a silent affirmation of what was happening between us.
I caught sight of my father across the room, deep in conversation with Auden and a few of their friends. As if sensing my gaze, he glanced up, his eyes widening slightly as he took in my flushed cheeks and swollen lips and the possessive way Marnin’s arm was slung around my waist.
For a moment, I tensed, bracing myself for a look of disapproval or disappointment. But instead, my father gave a small, secret smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. He nodded once, almost imperceptibly, before turning back to his conversation.
My tears returned, and I leaned into Marnin’s solid warmth, overwhelmed by the love and acceptance radiating from every corner of the room. For the first time in my life, I felt truly seen, truly cherished, for exactly who I was.