Chapter Forty-One
NOAH
Since Gemma had her baby, life has been a little crazy. Being an uncle has been a trip, and I know life will be even crazier when I meet my boys.
The moment I met Scarlett, I knew I’d never let anything or anyone harm her. Though Gemma had joked about us having kids around the same time in the past, I’m happy it worked out that way. Now they’ll grow up and go to school together.
Katie and I are trying to prepare ourselves for all the trouble they’re going to get in as well. If they are anything like we were, we’re going to have our hands full and then some. Though I’d like to believe we’re smarter than our parents were, I don’t think we’re prepared for what’s to come.
Owen has been such a great help since we moved into the house. He seems to love his new life, enjoys calling me dad, and is delighted he has a half brother with more on the way.
Anthony comes over a lot. We treat him as our own and want the boys to make up for the lost time.
They both share the loss of their father, but they’ve found strength in having one another.
It’s funny seeing the two of them together because they act so much alike.
Anthony’s a polite kid, but it’s obvious he never got the attention he deserved, and Loretta’s trying her best to change that.
None of us can change the past, so we’re devoted to making the future better.
It worked out better than I ever could’ve imagined.
Now that it's the beginning of October and the temperature has started to drop, I decided to plan something special for Katie. She’s dressed and waiting for me in the living room with Owen. After I’m ready, I get a text message and glance down, seeing Tyler’s name.
Tyler
Are you ready for today?
Noah
Been waiting a lifetime for it.
The thought makes my lips tilt up. Before I leave the bedroom, I grab the black velvet box and slip it inside my jacket pocket. The last thing I want her to see is the ring.
When I enter the living room, Katie laughs. “Finally! Sometimes you’re worse than a woman.”
I snort. “No, you’re just Ms. Impatient these days.”
She sighs. “I keep thinking about the candied apples and the warm pie at the pumpkin patch. It’s making me hangry!”
“And I wanna do the hayride! Mom told me y’all went when you were teens.”
The memory of Katie holding my hand tight as we rode around on a lowboy stacked with hay bales nearly encapsulates me. The cool air and holding her close almost had me spilling my feelings, but I got cold feet. This time, I can guarantee that won’t happen.
“Loretta and Elliot might show up too,” I tell Katie, not wanting her to be shocked in case we run into them. “I invited them last minute so they could bring Anthony along if they wanted. Apparently, he’s never been to a pumpkin patch before.”
Her eyes soften. “Should we pick him up and take him with us?”
“Yes!” Owen yells.
“It’s up to you,” I say.
Owen nods “Please, Mom?”
“Okay, okay. I’ll call Loretta and ask.”
While Katie is on the phone, Owen watches her like a hawk. Though he’s only a few months older than Anthony, he’s really taken on the big brother role. He doesn’t let anyone make fun of his brother at school and has become very protective of him.
Katie waits, then Loretta answers, and from what I gather, they’re already on their way there. I check the time and realize we need to get going too.
“Oh okay. I’ll tell Owen he can meet up with y’all then,” she says with a smile. “You too. Bye.”
“Time to go,” I say with a wink. “But don’t forget your jackets. It might get cool this afternoon.”
On the way out, Katie and Owen grab theirs out of the closet next to the front door, and she explains to Owen that Anthony’s coming. He’s giddy with excitement as we leave, and so am I. She has no idea what’s planned.
The drive to the pumpkin patch only takes an hour, and it’s easy to see the seasons changing based on the colors of the leaves.
It’s outside of Lawton Ridge in the middle of a gigantic pasture that’s empty most of the year except during this time.
Katie lets out a happy sigh as she places her hand on her stomach and looks outside.
We have to pay to park, but I drop off Katie and Owen at the entrance first. It also allows me to get my thoughts together while also limiting how much she walks.
As I go to meet them, the leaves crunch under my shoes, and the cool, brisk breeze brushes against my cheeks.
I know Owen would’ve complained he was cold later.
I’m actually kinda getting used to this dad thing and love having him as my son.
When I meet up with them, I wrap my arm around Katie and Owen skips ahead of us. Though it’s a pumpkin patch, booths are set up with crafts, food, and even games. Not much has changed in the past fifteen years, and I feel nostalgic as we enter.
“Mom! Look!” Owen says, pointing at a giant bubbly orange drink. It makes me chuckle.
“Do you want one?” I ask, and his facial expression gives him away.
Katie chuckles. “Oh lord. We’re gonna have a sugared-up kid tonight!”
I step forward and order each of us one. Apparently, it’s a pumpkin fizzy drink poured over a scoop of ice cream, and it tastes good. Even Katie’s eyes light up when she takes a sip. “Make that three sugared-up kids.”
She grabs my hand and places it on her belly, and I feel them kicking.
I chuckle. “Active little things, aren’t they?”
“They’re ready to come out!” Katie exclaims.
“Soon, baby,” I tell her, leaning over and pressing a kiss on her forehead.
After we’re done, the three of us take a stroll down one section with nothing but Fall Y’all and Halloween décor. “Oooh. I love this wreath.” Katie stops and admires the straw and ribbon attached to the giant thing.
“Get it! You’ve got a nice big door to hang it on. Would look great on the house,” I encourage.
“I’ll mark it down to $75,” the woman sweetly offers. “When’re ya due?”
“I’m due in December, but I’m thinking they’ll come next month.” Katie beams.
“Oh honey, that’ll be here in a blink. Summer’s over, so the hard part is done,” she says.
“Can I keep it here and pick it up before we leave?” Katie asks, and the woman nods.
With a swipe of our card, the wreath is purchased and set aside.
We continue walking, and I’m trying not to focus on my plans for later today.
“I think I want one of everything here,” Katie admits, just as Anthony sprints over and nearly tackles Owen in a hug.
“Katie!” Anthony says. He tries to wrap his arms around her but settles for an awkward side squeeze due to Katie’s belly.
Soon, Loretta and Elliot come into view wearing smiles while eating dipped ice cream cones. “Hey, kids,” Elliot says. When he leans in and hugs me, he whispers in my ear, “Everyone’s in place.”
Loretta’s eyes twinkle when she looks back and forth between us. “Anthony’s been loving this so much. Thanks again for inviting us.”
Katie grins from ear to ear, watching the two boys together.
“He’s had ice cream and a Coke. Probably gonna bounce off the walls later,” Loretta tells Katie.
“Two peas in a pod,” Katie says in return. “Isn’t this amazing?”
“Yeah, the weather is more than perfect. You want me to watch the boys so you two can take your time walking around?”
I glance at Katie. “Sure, that’d be great.”
Before we leave them, Katie explains to Owen that he can stay with Anthony and reminds him to be good for Memaw and Pawpaw. She fixes his wild mess of hair and gives Loretta and Elliot a wave before we head across the way.
We wait in line for the hayride, and when it pulls up and slows down in front of us, the workers grab a step for Katie to use.
After we’re settled, I wrap my arm around her.
I lean in and place a soft kiss on her lips as the tractor pulls us through the pumpkin patch.
The sweet smells of caramel and cotton candy drift through the air and mix with the earthy scent of freshly baled hay.
“This has been so much fun,” Katie says.
“And the day is just getting started.” I wink. “Remember when we came here as teenagers?”
“I do. I remember actually finding the courage to hold your hand on this very ride.”
“You remembered?” I ask with raised brows. Of course she did.
She smirks. “How could I ever forget? I was nearly shitting bricks that I had made a move even though it was a childish one.” Her tone drops into a whisper, and she tugs me toward her, and I lean in. “Shoulda sat on your lap and stuck my tongue down your throat.”
I smirk. “Woman. You know what happens when you say stuff like that…”
She snickers just as the ride comes to a stop at the entrance of the pumpkin patch.
“Let’s get off here,” I suggest.
We step off, and she stares at the thousands of pumpkins in all different colors and shapes. People are taking pictures with them while others are decorating or carving.
“I think I need to go to the bathroom,” I tell her, grinning.
She laughs. “There’s one out here?”
“Yeah, just on the other side. Might take me about ten minutes,” I say and lead her to some hay bales arranged as seating. “Might be good for you to rest a minute. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay! Bring me back a candied apple, a slice of pumpkin pie, and another one of those fizzy drinks.” Katie gives me a wink.
With a laugh, I shake my head. “Yes, honey.”
I make my way through the crowd of people, and it takes at least ten minutes for me to get to the area where I’ve asked all of our friends and family to meet. When I turn the corner, they’re chatting and laughing. Excitement fills the air.
Gemma, Tyler, and Everleigh hoot and holler as soon as I come into view. Gemma’s rocking the stroller back and forth, and I love that she brought Scarlett too.
Dad gives me a big hug. “You ready, son?”
“As ever,” I say, meeting everyone’s eyes. I’m so thankful Katie’s parents, Belinda, Elliot, Loretta, the boys, and my and Katie’s best friends are here to celebrate this special moment.
After everyone takes a step closer, I suck in a deep breath. “Do y’all have your letters?”
I glance around, and they hold their silver envelopes.
“You do know this is gonna make her bawl like a baby?” Everleigh says, tapping hers against her palm.
“You weren’t supposed to read it, Ev,” Gemma whisper-hisses over the stroller.
She snorts. “I literally just peeked a little. I needed to know what she was gonna be reading so I’d be aware of how to react.”
Gemma groans and crosses her arms over her chest, eyeing Everleigh. “I passed them all out and instructed them not to read them. Some people just don’t know how to listen.”
“It’s fine. If anyone was gonna break the rules, it would be her.” I look at her and smile.
“That’s very true,” Everleigh admits. “It’s almost like you know me better than your sister.”
Before Gemma digs in, I speak up. “Okay, so y’all know the order, right?”
Gemma steps forward. “Yes, I’ll get Katie, hand her the letter, then bring her to Tyler.
Then it goes Tyler, Everleigh, so on and so on.
I’ve got this, bro. Have faith in me. I did just plan a pretty incredible grand opening and deliver a baby.
I’m a pro at this point,” she tells me with a lifted brow and a smirk.
“You’re right.” I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. “Just a little nervous. That’s it.”
Loretta speaks up. “She’s gonna say yes. This is your destiny.”
“She better!” Owen pipes up, and it makes Anthony giggle.
Everleigh snorts and squeezes his shoulder. “She will. There’s no doubt about it.”
I suck in a deep breath, trying to calm down, then feel inside my jacket pocket for the box. It’s almost time, and I know Katie’s probably growing impatient that I haven’t returned with her snacks yet. The thought has me chuckling to myself.
Katie’s parents give me hugs, and I can tell how overjoyed they are.
I asked them a month ago after I asked Owen’s permission.
They were more than thrilled that I wanted to make things official with their daughter.
They’ve always treated me like a son and respected me even after everything that happened.
“Excited to have you officially be a part of the family,” Katie’s mama tells me.
“I promise to always protect her and love her,” I say.
“We believe you,” her dad tells me.
“It’s almost time, y’all. I need you to start lining up,” Gemma instructs. She’s a sassy little thing, and I’m glad I put her in charge of the people part. Takes a sliver of the stress away.
My sister was such a big help with planning this. When I was reminiscing about our past, all the letters we used to write to each other in high school came to mind. At that moment, I knew exactly how and where I wanted to propose.
I stand at the end of the pumpkin patch and know Katie has a long way to walk. She’ll be reading each of the notes I wrote to her about our past and our future. It will take her some time, and I’m okay with that, but I know my heart will be racing until I see her, and she says yes.
I expect tears of happiness because she’s been so emotional lately, but by the end of it, I hope she agrees to be my wife.