7. Jasmyn
Chapter Seven
JASMYN
The scent of freshly baked cinnamon rolls mingles with the smell of strong coffee as I settle into my chair at the Clayton family’s famous Sunday brunch.
Around the table, the Clayton clan is in full force. Luke and Maisey sit to my right. Wyatt and Melody sit across from us, while Brody and Savannah are engaged in animated conversation to my left. Jace is the last to join, sliding into the seat next to Brody with a yawn.
As plates are passed and coffee is poured, Wyatt reaches into a canvas tote bag beside his chair. He pulls out a glossy magazine, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he catches Brody’s eye. With a dramatic flourish, he tosses it onto the center of the table, narrowly missing a platter of bacon.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Wyatt says. “Seems our resident bull rider’s gone Hollywood on us.”
Brody’s face splits into a grin as he snatches up the magazine, his image gracing the cover. “What can I say? The camera loves me almost as much as the bulls do.”
“I wouldn’t get too cocky,” Savannah retorts playfully. “I had to use every trick in the book to make you look halfway presentable.”
“Oh really?” Brody raises an eyebrow. “And here I thought you were just mesmerized by my natural charm and good looks.”
Savannah rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Keep dreaming, cowboy. You’re not nearly as charming as you think you are sometimes.”
“I don’t know.” Jace peers over. “I think Brody’s got potential. Maybe he should quit bullriding and become a full-time model. What do you think, Savannah? You’ve got the inside scoop on the industry.”
Savannah taps her chin thoughtfully as she pretends to consider it. “Well, he’s certainly got the ego for it. But I’m not sure the modeling world is ready for Brody Clayton.”
“Hey now,” Brody protests. But his eyes are dancing with amusement. “I’ll have you know I can smolder with the best of them.”
Laughter ripples around the table, and I feel a surge of warmth.
Growing up as an only child, I’d always wondered what it would be like to have siblings. Now, surrounded by the Claytons’ easy banter and genuine affection, I’m getting a taste of that life.
Luke leans in close. “Sorry about all this. I know they can be a bit much sometimes.”
I turn to meet his gaze, taking in the mix of amusement and concern in his eyes. “Don’t apologize,” I assure him, and I mean it. “The noise, the chaos, the love - it’s all absolutely perfect.”
The laughter fades as brunch comes to an end. We clear the plates and the conversation settles into a comfortable quiet. I sit back and watch Maisey help Luke gather empty coffee mugs.
Wyatt shifts in his seat and clears his throat. His usually relaxed demeanor turns serious as he sits up straight. “Actually, before everyone leaves, I have something important to say.”
The table falls silent.
Wyatt stands and turns to face Melody. My eyes widen as he drops to one knee and pulls out a small velvet box.
Melody gasps and covers her mouth with her hand.
“Melody.” Wyatt’s voice is rough with emotion. “You crashed into my life wearing a wedding dress and then you stole my truck. That day changed everything for me. Your strength amazes me. Your kindness inspires me. And your love... your love makes me want to be a better man every single day.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you marry me and make this ranch your forever home?”
I feel tears prick my eyes at Wyatt’s heartfelt words. The story of how Melody and Wyatt met still seems like something out of a movie. Yet here they are, proof that sometimes the craziest beginnings lead to the most beautiful love stories.
Melody nods as tears stream down her face. “Yes,” she chokes out. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
The table erupts in cheers as Wyatt slips the ring onto Melody’s finger. I clap along with everyone else and feel a surge of happiness for the couple.
“They look so happy,” I say to Luke as we watch Wyatt pull Melody into a tender embrace.
Luke nods and chuckles softly. “Wyatt’s been planning this for weeks. It’s hard to keep secrets in this family.”
I turn to him in surprise. “You knew?”
“Of course,” he grins. His eyes sparkle with mischief. “But speaking of surprises, are you ready for yours?”
“A surprise?” I echo. My voice wavers slightly and I clear my throat. “What kind of surprise?”
Maisey bounces in Luke’s lap as she claps her hands together. “It’s a secret!”
Luke chuckles and ruffles Maisey’s hair. “Now, now, sweetheart. Remember what we talked about? We can’t give it away.”
Maisey nods solemnly but her eyes still dance with barely contained glee. She mimes zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
Luke stands up and I follow suit. We make our way over to Wyatt and Melody who are still basking in the glow of their engagement.
“Congratulations again,” I say warmly as I pull Melody into a hug. “I’m so happy for you both.”
Wyatt’s eyes are suspiciously moist as he hugs me. “Thanks, Jasmyn. It means a lot to have you here for this.”
Luke claps Wyatt on the back before embracing him. “Congrats, bro. And welcome to the family, officially,” he tells Melody with a grin.
After we’ve shared our congratulations Luke turns to his brothers. “We’re gonna head out,” he announces. “Got some plans for the afternoon.”
Wyatt nods knowingly. “Alright little brother. You three have fun.” He winks at me and I feel my cheeks flush.
Brody and Jace exchange glances. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Brody teases with a grin.
“That doesn’t leave much off the table,” Jace quips and the brothers burst into laughter.
Luke rolls his eyes good-naturedly and scoops Maisey up with one arm.
As we walk to Luke’s truck my mind races with possibilities. What could this surprise be?
Luke holds the door open for me as I climb into the passenger seat of his black pickup truck. The leather is warm from the sun and I settle in, breathing in the familiar scent of Luke that lingers - a mix of soap, hay, and something uniquely him. My stomach flutters with anticipation as he secures Maisey into her car seat in the back.
When Luke slides into the driver’s seat, he’s holding a strip of dark fabric. A slow grin spreads across his face as he dangles it between us. “Do you trust me?”
I eye the fabric, my pulse quickening. “Is that a blindfold?”
He nods, his blue eyes dancing with mischief. “It’s all part of the surprise. Do you trust me, baby?”
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. I do trust Luke, completely and implicitly. But the idea of willingly giving up my sight, of not knowing where we’re going... it’s a little nerve-wracking.
“Yes,” I say finally. “I trust you.”
His grin widens as he leans over, gently positioning the blindfold over my eyes. The fabric is soft and cool against my skin, and my other senses heighten as my vision is obscured. I can hear Maisey’s excited giggle from the backseat, can feel the dip of the truck as Luke settles back into his seat.
The engine rumbles to life and we pull out onto the road. Without my sight, every bump and turn feels more pronounced. I grip the edge of my seat, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement.
The drive seems to stretch endlessly yet pass in a blink. At last the truck slows and stops.
“Stay put for a sec,” Luke says. I hear him get out and open the back door to unbuckle Maisey. Then my own door opens and I feel his large hand grasp mine. “Careful now.”
I let him guide me out of the truck, my steps tentative. Finally Luke removes the blindfold. “Open your eyes, Jasmyn.”
My eyes open and I blink against the sudden brightness. As my vision clears I freeze in place.
We’re standing in front of my old ballet studio.
“Luke.” His name escapes me in a whisper. “What are we doing here?”
His eyes lock with mine. “Jasmyn, I know how much this place means to you and how much it hurt when it closed down. I couldn’t stand the thought of you losing something that brings you so much joy. So I bought it for you.”
Tears prick the corners of my eyes. “You bought it for me? But how? The building was sold to Donovan Enterprises last week.”
“I went to school with Drew Donovan, the guy who bought the studio.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “You did?”
“I did. And when I heard he was the one who’d bought it, I decided to pay him a visit.”
I swallow hard. “What did you do?”
Luke takes my hand in his. “I told him about you, Jasmyn, about how much you love to dance and how much this studio means to you. I told him about Maisey and how she adores coming to your classes. I told him that I wanted to buy it from him so that you could keep teaching and doing what you love.”
I feel a lump form in my throat.
Luke’s voice softens. “And you know what he said to me? He said he understood, that he knew what it was like to have someone you care about lose something important to them. And then he agreed to sell me the studio.”
A single tear escapes, trailing down my cheek. “You really bought the studio for me?” My voice trembles as emotion overwhelms me.
Luke reaches out, his thumb gently brushing away the tear on my cheek. “Yes, baby. I bought it for you. This studio, it’s yours now. Yours to fill with music and laughter and dance again.”
More tears spill over as I stare at him in awe. “But why? Why would you do something like this for me?”
Luke’s eyes are a brilliant blue, shining with an intensity I’ve never seen before. He takes both of my hands in his, his touch sending sparks dancing across my skin. “Because I love you, Jasmyn. I’m in love with you. I have been since the first moment I saw you.”
My breath catches in my throat. Luke loves me. He’s in love with me. The words I’ve longed to hear, the feelings I’ve kept locked away in my heart, all laid bare in this perfect, shining moment.
“I love you too, Jasmyn!” Maisey exclaims, throwing her little arms around my waist. “I love you so much!”
I wrap an arm around her, hugging her close as I keep my other hand entwined with Luke’s.
Luke takes a deep breath. “Jasmyn, I know this might seem sudden. But the truth is, my feelings for you have been growing since the day we met. Every time I see you with Maisey, every time I watch you dance, every time you smile that gorgeous smile...I fall a little more in love with you.”
He squeezes my hand. “I want this, baby. I want us. You, me, and Maisey. I want us to be a family. I want to wake up with you every morning and fall asleep with you every night. I want to watch you teach Maisey to dance in this studio. I want to build a life and a future with you. If you’ll have us, that is.”
Maisey looks up at me, her blue eyes so like her father’s, wide and hopeful. “Please say yes, Jasmyn. Please be our family.”
My heart feels like it might burst.
This man, this wonderful, amazing man, loves me. He loves me enough to buy me a dance studio. He loves me enough to want a future with me. And this sweet, precious girl wants me to be her family.
“Yes,” I whisper, my voice choked with tears. “Yes, Luke. Yes, Maisey. I love you both so much. Of course I’ll be your family.”
Luke’s face breaks into a brilliant smile. He pulls me into his arms, Maisey sandwiched between us, and kisses me deeply. I pour every ounce of my love, my joy, my gratitude into that kiss.
When we finally break apart, I’m breathless and giddy. Luke rests his forehead against mine. “Welcome home, baby. Welcome to our forever.”