Chapter 43 Two Step
Chapter Fourty Three
Two Step
— Sunday —
“What are you up to?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Daddy turns up the radio and rolls down his window, looking so pleased with himself that I want to pinch him.
“Alrighty, well, let me try this one: why is Xavier the only one responding to my messages, and why are you allowed to take me to the town dump when I usually can’t leave the house without an armed guard?”
He looks offended, glancing at me sideways. “You think I can’t take care of you if it comes to it?” He’s ruffled. “Like I told Tomas, the big dragon throws me off because my instinct says he belongs here. He’s just not acting the way he should. But I’m not letting anything like that happen again.” He runs his hand over his mouth and jaw, muttering under his breath, “I thought maybe he was supposed to be Colt’s…”
That does it. I fall over giggling, picturing my brother bringing home Silas. “He would destroy Colt!” I barely get the words out through my laughter.
Daddy snorts but doesn’t argue.
I glance out the window, the familiar fenceline whipping past. “Hold up—are we goin’ to the farm?”
Daddy barely spares me a look. “I’ve got a couple of old tires in the barn, been meaning to take them to the dump.”
I let my gift slide over Wade Prescott, the lying liar that he is. His mind is practically humming with satisfaction, too pleased with himself to keep it fully contained. “Sure you do.”
Flipping down the sun visor, I pop open the mirror, more out of habit than need.
Daddy decides to push his luck. “You getting yourself all gussied up for Wilder Thompson?”
I shiver and make a face. “No. And does Wilder work at the dump now? Wait, no—stop. Not the point, because you’re not taking me to the dump.” But let’s be honest, I dodged a bullet with Wilder.
The truck bumps onto the dirt road as we turn at the mailbox, the pecan trees arching over us in a soft, bloom-dusted canopy. I stretch my gift outward, brushing over the mental hum of several familiar presences gathered near the center of the property.
“There are at least eight people standing around the barn,” I say, folding my arms and tilting my head. “So what’s going on?”
Daddy exhales through his nose, slow and deliberate. “Sugar, can I give you a bit of advice?”
“Sure, why not,” I reply, narrowing my eyes.
“Stop looking at this as a mystery you’ve gotta crack. Just enjoy the afternoon. Your mates have worked hard to put something fun together for you.”
His voice softens, a rare earnestness breaking through his usual teasing tone. “Relax, and let it be what it’s gonna be.”
***
Tomas is the first to greet me, stepping out from the shade of the canopy strung between the oak and cottonwood trees. His shirt is slightly wrinkled, his hair wind-tousled, curling over his forehead in a way that looks both careless and deliberate. Stubble darkens his jaw, emphasizing its sharp, square line. For a moment, I get lost in how much he’s changed.
The always-polished Tomas I met in Vegas has dirtied up in the best way. He still moves with that unshakable confidence, still carries the quiet strength I’ve come to count on, but there’s an edge of wildness to him now—a rawness that makes him feel more real, more grounded.
His brown eyes catch the sunlight, warm and steady. But as he gets closer, I see a flicker of gold—his wolf just beneath the surface.
“How’s your morning been, Trouble?” His voice is low and warm, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I narrow my eyes, hands on my hips. “Well, had you answered my messages, you’d know.”
He pulls me into a hug, and just like that, my irritation melts away. His scent—clean, woodsy, Tomas—wraps around me as his arms tighten.
“Feeling like you need some attention, Trouble?” he murmurs, his voice dipping into that smooth, sexy tone that makes my stomach flip. “Let me make it up to you.”
I press my forehead against his chest, swallowing the flutter in my throat. “Will you tell me what’s happening?”
He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze. “We decided we needed a family picnic. Colt offered the farm. He’s smoking most of a pig. Ben helped with the canopy, the girls have been decorating, and Sue’s been cooking all morning. As soon as Gray’s up, Xavier will bring him over with the desserts they’ve been baking.”
I blink, taking it all in—the blankets spread over the grass, the table draped in bright fabric, the lanterns swaying in the breeze. “It sounds wonderful, but… what’s the occasion?”
He shrugs, his hands resting lightly on my waist. “Just surviving, I guess. If we keep waiting for the perfect moment, we’ll never start living.”
There’s something in his smile—a flicker, a secret held back. Normally, I’d push. I’d pry it out of him with charm or sheer stubbornness. But Daddy’s words echo in my mind: Relax, and let it be what it’s gonna be.
So I do. For once, I let myself enjoy the moment.
The afternoon unfolds like a dream. Someone props a radio in the barn window, and the crackle of an old country tune floats through the air. The kids find bubbles and chase the puppy, who zigzags wildly across the yard, his little legs barely keeping up with his boundless energy. Arcadia charms vines of morning glory to climb the barn and trees, their blue and purple blooms opening right on cue.
At one point, I catch myself watching Daddy. He stands near Cady, their movements almost synchronized without realizing it. Not quite close enough to touch, but there’s an energy between them—a rhythm, deliberate and effortless. I let my gift slide outward, brushing against their minds. Faint, tentative threads of something new starting to form—delicate, but strong, like the first shoots of spring breaking through the soil.
The day stretches lazily into the golden glow of late afternoon. Dal shows up at some point, his trunk loaded with fireworks. The guys crowd around, leaning in to inspect the haul and plan the show, but Tomas doesn’t join them. He stays by my side—filling my plate, refilling my drink, brushing stray hairs from my face when the breeze catches them.
He’s been like this all day, a quiet, steady presence making sure I feel pampered and cared for.
I start to imagine a life like this, a rhythm of ordinary sweetness. Picnics on warm afternoons, the kids chasing bubbles, the smell of smoked meat curling into the sky. Tomas always steady at my side, my family close, laughter threading through the air like a constant melody. The thought blooms, soft and unbidden: How fine it would be if every day was like this.
As the shadows lengthen, it happens.
It’s like an invisible bell strikes—a cue everyone hears but me.
The music from the barn lowers, fading into a soft, expectant hush. Tomas hands me a chunk of watermelon, the juice already dripping over my fingers. I pop it in my mouth, distracted, and glance around for a napkin.
When I look back up, everyone is still. The kids watch with wide eyes. Daddy and Sue smile softly. Ben leans casually against the table, close—but not too close—to Dal, with a look that’s far too smug.
Then I see Tomas.
He’s dropped to one knee.
His hands cradle mine, his thumbs brushing over my knuckles in that steady, grounding way of his. There’s a flicker of nervousness in his eyes—rare for him—but his voice is calm when he speaks.
“Trouble, my inevitable girl,” he begins, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “I never thought much about marriage. It wasn’t something I imagined for myself. I didn’t think I’d need it, didn’t think it could add anything to my life.”
He pauses, his gaze steady on mine. “Then you came along. And suddenly, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the ways I wanted you to be mine. All the ways I wanted to show you, and the whole damn world, that you’re the most important thing in my life.”
His grip on my hands tightens slightly, his voice dipping lower. “You’ve carried so much for so long. You take care of everyone around you, even when it means putting yourself last. But I want to take care of you. I want to share the load, the laughter, the ridiculous fights, the quiet moments—everything. I want to give you a life where you don’t always have to be the strong one.”
He releases one of my hands, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. Flipping it open, he reveals the ring inside. The center stone catches the sunlight, glinting a brilliant blue-green—like sunlight playing on shallow ocean waves. The diamond petals surrounding it sparkle, a dazzling contrast to the shifting hues of the Alexandrite. My rock.
It was the first thing Tomas’ wolf gave to me. He tussled with Shadow for it, both of them snarling and snapping over that mud-covered chunk of magic pulled from the bank of the Black River.
When I drag a still sticky fingertip across it, I can almost feel the echoes of that moment—the wild intensity of Tomas’ wolf, the sleek cunning of Shadow. It’s as though the Alexandrite absorbed that energy, crystallizing a tiny piece of all our bonds. A piece I can carry with me, always.
“Sunday May Prescott,” he says, voice thick with emotion, “will you let me love you, protect you, and annoy the hell out of you for the rest of our lives?” He pauses, his throat working, as if he’s gathering his nerve, “Will you marry me?”
My hand flies to my mouth as the reality of the moment hits me all at once. My heart stutters, my throat tightens, and before I can even think to stop myself, the tears come. Big, fat ones roll down my cheeks as I try to blink them away—and fail miserably.
The kids gasp in unison.
Lily, standing just off to the side, jabs Tomas in the leg with her pointy little elbow and mouths, “COOKIE.”
I laugh through my tears, a choked, hiccuping sound that makes me double over. Tomas glances at her, his face twitching between exasperation and amusement, before pulling a sad-looking cookie out of his pocket and holding it up like a peace offering.
“Here,” he says softly, his lips curving into that crooked, lopsided smile that always gets me. “In case you’re feeling hangry.”
I laugh harder, my chest heaving as I wipe at my face. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Of course, it’s a yes!”
Tomas’ eyes stay locked on mine, his gaze intent, as if memorizing every detail of this moment. I nod, tears spilling over again. He takes my hand, sliding the ring onto my finger with slow, deliberate care.
It fits perfectly.
Before I can even process the sight of it, I’m reaching for him, sinking to my knees so we’re face-to-face. My arms wrap around his neck, and he meets me halfway, his mouth warm and steady against mine. The kiss starts soft, tentative, like we’re both afraid to break the spell. Then his hands find my waist, and I’m not sure who deepens it first—him or me—but the world falls away, leaving just us.
When we finally pull back, breathless and smiling, the clearing erupts in cheers and applause. Lily’s high-pitched shriek of “She said yes!” cuts through the noise, followed by Sumi’s excited barking.
Tomas stands, pulling me up with him, his hand lingering on my waist. The music from the barn kicks back in, louder now, filling the air with a familiar tune.
“Come on, Trouble,” Tomas says, his voice low and teasing. “Let’s take this celebration inside.”
The barn is already alive with movement. Fairy lights strung across the rafters cast a soft golden glow over everything. Ben spins Sue around in an exaggerated waltz while Colt attempts to teach Arcadia a two-step. The twins clap wildly, hopping in place.
Tomas doesn’t let go of me, guiding me onto the makeshift dance floor as the song shifts to something slower. He pulls me close, one hand resting lightly on the small of my back, the other still wrapped around my fingers.
“You okay?” he murmurs, his forehead brushing mine.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’m perfect.”
For a moment, it’s just us, swaying in the warm light. He doesn’t let go—not until Ben claps him on the shoulder with a grin. “You’ve had your moment, Alpha. Now let the rest of us spoil her a little.”
Ben holds out a hand, and I laugh, letting him spin me out onto the makeshift dance floor where a few others have already started swaying to the music.
“Congratulations,” he says softly, guiding me into an easy rhythm.
“Thank you,” I reply, studying his face. There’s no shadow, no hint of jealousy—just warmth and quiet happiness. “Are you okay?”
He smirks. “More than okay. He’s a good one, baby. You deserve this.”
I nod, letting his words settle deep. He twirls me again before passing me back to Tomas with a lingering kiss.
From across the barn, I see Sue laughing as Colt finally convinces her to try the two-step. Daddy steps in to dance with Cady, his big hands steady as he guides her into a simple rhythm. Then they spin in wide circles with the twins, their laughter ringing out like tiny bells. Later, Daddy leans against the barn door, arms crossed, watching them with a soft, fond expression I’ve rarely seen.
By the time Tomas reclaims me for one last dance, the sun has dipped low, casting long golden beams through the open barn doors. He holds me close, his forehead resting against mine as we sway to the fading music.
“I love you,” he murmurs, his voice soft and steady.
“I love you, too,” I whisper back, the weight of the day settling over me like a warm blanket.
Grayson’s bond stirs in my chest, his presence blooming into my awareness. A curious ping flutters through the connection, quickly followed by something deeper—something heavy with reflected joy. Xavier’s energy brushes against mine, warm and steady, a silent affirmation of their presence.
For the first time in a long time, everything feels perfect.