Chapter 23 #2
“I can look out for myself,” I said half-heartedly. It was 100 percent true, but I still loved my cousins to bits.
“Oh, they know that, but I think they also need to show off a bit. I honestly can’t wait to see what they do when Paisley starts dating.” Lexi cleared her throat, lowering her voice. “She has a boyfriend.”
“A boyfriend? Who is he? Have you met him?” I asked, my words coming out harsher than intended. I tried to rack my brain to remember what I was doing at twelve. I often said Paisley was a teenager, but she really wasn’t—yet.
Lexi pressed her lips together. "Oh, I thought only the male part of the family would react like that."
"I’m a total mama bear," I explained.
"Yeah, I can see that. They're just holding hands, and apparently, he brings her flowers at school."
"I approve," I said, nodding.
Liz pointed at us. "Yeah, make sure the boys don't find out. Not Tate or Declan. I'm sure he can come up with a hundred things that can go wrong.”
“Good point.” I’d forgotten that he did that. I didn't know if it was the lawyer in him or the oldest brother thing, but it was truly a habit of his. I zipped my fingers over my lips. "Secret’s safe with me."
"Oh, Reese is here," Liz exclaimed.
"How does she look?" I asked before turning in the direction Liz pointed.
Even from here, I could tell the date was nothing to brag about.
My sister seemed deflated. I could tell Reese's mood just by looking at her.
When she was happy, her body language was open, and her smile lit up her face.
Right now, her shoulders sagged, and her mouth tugged downward at the corners.
She needed some wine and a consolation prize. I didn't want to accost her, though.
She greeted the group around the grill, then Gran and John before coming to us.
Lexi took Sophie from me when she started to fuss. She immediately calmed down in her mom’s arms.
Since there was nothing else to do, all of us sat down at the table. My niece was determined to talk to me. I had no idea what she was saying, but her smile made me smile. Reese ruffled her hair, looking at me pleadingly. She needed the cuddles even more than I did.
“I know you want to ask how the date was,” Reese said.
Kendra nodded. Lexi and Liz exchanged glances.
“You were on a date? Good for you,” Liz said.
"So, how was it?" I asked.
"Eh," Reese said, waving her hand. "I don't understand why some men even bother going out on dates. And speaking of that….” She turned her head around to the grill.
"Drake seems to be doing fairly well. Think he needs our help?
Should I go rescue him? If I bring up the crappy date, our cousins will for sure focus on me. "
That was my sister. She'd just come from a crappy date but still took the time to look after me. I loved her so much.
“Nah, I think Drake’s lucky anyway because John’s here. He’s definitely sharing the spotlight.”
"Okay, everyone, the food's ready," Declan exclaimed from across the garden.
I jumped from the table. "You all sit down. You've done enough," I said, heading over to the grill.
The guys had put the veggies on two plates, the meat on two separate ones. There was a fifth platter with tofu and halloumi cheese.
I caught Drake's eye, and my breath quickened.
I wondered if I’d ever make eye contact with him and not feel like my entire body was responding to it. I couldn't ask him how it went, not with my cousins around.
He winked at me, and I decided to take it as a good omen. He carried the corn to the table. Declan and I went next, each carrying a plate. He was suspiciously quiet.
"I have to ask, how come you're not warning me of any potential legal trouble?" I’d been certain he’d tell me all about the issues with workplace romances.
He shrugged. "Hey, I try to get better with age. I've learned from my mistakes, and now I'm trying to see things from an optimistic point of view."
"My, my. You’ve changed, cousin. Liz is a good influence on you."
"She is,” he confirmed.
The rest of the gang arrived just as we put food on the table. Travis was holding Rose, and Bonnie stood next to them, trying to put a sock on Rose's foot. She'd somehow kicked it away along with her shoe. Sam and Avery were right behind them.
"Cousin, I was waiting for you," I said, going to Travis.
"Miss me already?" he asked.
"No. I just wanted to chastise you for having a big mouth, but you're forgiven because you brought Rose."
"There you go, baby girl," Bonnie said, strapping the shoe on her as well.
"How are you doing, Bonnie?" I asked.
"Oh, I'm good. Running around all the time. Starting my own business is a bit stressful."
"But I keep spoiling her," Travis said.
I nodded. "Good for you."
Bonnie bit her lower lip. "I have second thoughts, to be honest, because… well, I spent all that time training to work in a vet clinic. But I do love the idea of spending time with animals without seeing them sick."
She worked in a prestigious vet clinic, but she’d always hinted that she’d like to open a dog grooming business. She’d only realized a few years into her job that seeing the animals suffer was taking a toll on her.
"Babe, just follow your instinct," Travis said. "I support you no matter what."
The fight went out of me. How could I chastise Travis for spilling the beans to the guys when he said things like that?
He’s a good guy, Kimberly. And he loves you. He just likes to run his mouth.
Bonnie smiled at him, kissing his cheek. "Thanks."
"I can give you a few tips about being your own boss," Avery said.
Sam kept an arm around her shoulders, but he briefly took a step to the side as Drake joined us.
"Drake, this is Sam," I said. "He's the family's doctor."
Drake shook his hand. "I'm glad to meet you, Sam."
"I've heard a lot about you from Travis," Sam said.
I stared at Travis. He had the audacity to wiggle his eyebrows before kissing Rose's hand.
"Anytime you want to hear about me, I'm happy to talk," Drake replied.
Oh, he's good.
Sam chuckled. "I like you, Drake."
I looked at Sam closely and could tell he was a bit tired. He had his hands full running his own clinic, and I was proud of him for following his heart.
“Come on, everyone, we're starving," Luke said from the table. He was sitting next to his parents. He was the only one who showed up without his better half today. Megan was away at a client's site. She worked with Luke at the architecture firm, and she was brilliant.
"Yeah, let's not make Luke hangry," Sam said. "That's the only time he loses his laid-back attitude."
That was 100 percent true. My cousin had a second personality when he was hungry.
As we headed to the table, Avery and Bonnie were talking about the pros and cons of being their own boss.
"By the way," I told Avery, "Sam mentioned something about a department store wanting to work with you."
"Yes," Avery said, her eyes shining brilliantly. "They like my designs. I'm a bit afraid of working with someone else's deadlines, but I think it'll be good for me."
"Anytime you need help or advice, let me know, okay?"
She nodded. "Thanks, Kimberly."
Drake and I fell back in step as we went to the table, which was when I noticed he was scowling. Something twisted in my chest. God, is he overwhelmed by all this? I bit the inside of my cheek, wondering if I should bring it up or not. No, maybe I could talk to him about it this evening.
Five seconds later, I realized I couldn't wait. I'd fidget the entire day.
"What is it?" I asked him. “You look stressed.”
"I talked to Suze earlier. She’s keeping something from me. I don't know what it is, but I don't like it. She doesn't want to share, which means it's serious." He sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll deal with it later on. Now, let's focus on your family."
“Are you sure? We can talk—”
“It’s fine, babe, really. Let’s enjoy the day.”
I relaxed as we sat down at the table. Everyone was silent while we dug into the food. It was delicious, as usual. I loved cookouts with the family.
I thought John was terribly brave for showing up here
It wasn't that we didn't like him. It simply felt strange, for lack of a better word, to see Gran with someone. But I was more than happy for her. Our grandfather had passed away a long time ago, before either of us kids were born. She'd spent a long time without a partner.
As soon as everyone finished eating, John cleared his throat. "Everyone, I'd like to say a few words."
Next to me, Reese inhaled sharply. "Oh my God," she whispered, "he's going to propose."
I chuckled. "Don't be silly."
"I mean it. Look at him. He's nervous."
I focused on John. My sister was right. His shoulders were straight, almost rigid.
He was grasping his glass of wine very tightly; I could see his knuckles turning white even from a few seats away.
"I met Beatrice some time ago, and she's completely changed my life.
" He took her hand, kissing the back of it.
Gran put her other hand on her chest. "And you changed mine," she said with a grin the size of Texas. I loved seeing her like this.
“It took a lot of convincing on my part before she decided to introduce me to the group. She was under the impression that you all might run me off."
"She wasn't wrong," my uncle said, and we laughed.
"I'm lucky to get a second chance at love this late in life. Beatrice, you are wonderful. I've never met anyone quite like you, and nothing would be a greater honor than if you wanted to be my wife."
There were several gasps around the table. I grabbed Reese’s arm, interlacing it with mine. Drake squeezed my other hand.
"Oh my goodness," Gran said.
John reached into his pocket, taking out a ring. I couldn’t make out the details from my spot, but I was sure it was amazing. "I wanted to ask you to marry me here in front of your family. I know they mean the world to you. I’d get down on one knee, but then I'd never get back up again."
Travis, Declan, and Tate started to laugh.
Gran looked around at us once and then back at John. Her smile was even bigger than before, and her eyes were full of happiness.
"It would make me very happy to be your wife, John," she said and then took the ring out herself, putting it on.
"You've got to give it to him. He's got balls," Travis said from next to Reese.
She elbowed him.
"Travis," I admonished.
"It's true, though," he said.
"Look at Dad’s face," Tate said from the seat across from me.
I tilted forward, looking at my uncle. He seemed stunned. I knew he was happy for Gran, but his mother remarrying was probably a shock to him. I had a hunch Emmett was going to need a lot of love over the next few months, and we were going to make sure he got it.
"Come on, let's congratulate them. All of you," I insisted, looking around. “Big smiles. No jokes about running him off."
"We know how to be on our best behavior," Declan replied.
"Just wanted to make sure," I said, and Drake chuckled. "What?" I asked.
He put an arm around my waist as we walked to them. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s congratulate them now.”
My sister still had tears in her eyes as we headed to the happy couple. My smile was a bit wobbly as well, especially when it was my time to congratulate them.
I hugged John briefly. "Thank you for making my grandmother happy," I said before I turned to Gran. I squeezed her in my arms so hard, I was almost afraid I might break her, but she squeezed me back just as tightly.
"I love you, Gran. I'm very happy for you." Emotion clogged my throat as I pulled back.
"I know, darling girl. I'm going to need the help of all of you to come up with something decent to wear for the day."
"We're on it," Reese exclaimed.
Once everyone congratulated them, Reese and I pulled Gran to one side.
"Want to start making wedding plans now?" Reese asked.
Gran looked at John over her shoulder. "What do you say about a June wedding?"
"Whatever you want, Beatrice."
She smiled and turned her head back to us.
"Okay, that gives us more than a year," I murmured.
"This June," Gran corrected.
I swallowed hard. "What? This year? No, that's no time at all, Gran."
"Nonsense. I'm a million years old, girl. I'm not going to waste any time waiting. The only reason I’m even willing to marry in June and not sooner is that I want some nice weather. Now, give me your phone. I want to call your dad."
"Sure," I said, immediately taking it from my back pocket and pulling up Dad’s number. I was wondering who was going to break the news to him. He was going to need a lot of love, too, over the next few months, but I had that covered.
Drake put an arm around my shoulders, kissing my temple. I felt him smile against my skin.
Pulling back, I looked up at him. “What’s so amusing?”
"John proposed to your grandmother. An excellent way to take the spotlight off us."
"It's true. I never counted on this. I think it's safe to say you're off the hook for the rest of the day."
"I didn't mind being on the hook either, Kimberly. I like your family."
I felt flutters in my belly, and my face exploded in a grin that was big enough to match Gran’s.
This was such a happy day.