21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter twenty-one
M elody dropped the whole business about a bodyguard following her around. She’d make it clear to Fox that wasn’t necessary. No one cared about what she did, or where she went.
Except the part where Fox worried someone would take her to get money from him did sound plausible. And ridiculous at the same time.
She was still trying to wrap her head around him winning the lottery. She wanted to ask how it all happened. It must be a really great story. Were Dean and Max with him when he discovered he’d won? Did they celebrate? How?
She had so many questions, her mind reeled with them all.
But the second they walked into the house, she set that all aside as she watched her mom rush Fox and wrap him in a hug.
For a second, it seemed Fox wasn’t sure what to do, then he released her hand and hugged Robin back as he said, “Thank you for everything you did to keep me safe and fed and heading in the right direction.”
Her mom stepped back and looked up at him. “I am so proud of you.” That pride shone in her eyes.
Fox swallowed hard, his throat working. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you and Wade. Every time I thought things seemed hopeless, you and Wade stepped in to help.”
“You did the work. Even when things were hard, you persevered. Things could have gone bad in a lot of different ways, but you stuck to it and you made it out of the system with your head up, outstanding grades, and a bright future that you didn’t squander.”
“I didn’t want to let either of you down.”
Her father joined them. “Never, son.” Her dad looked from him, to Melody, and back to him. “And you make her happy, which makes us even happier to have you home.”
Fox took Melody’s hand.
“About home,” Melody began. “Fox invited me to go with him to Boston tomorrow for a couple of days.”
“That sounds like fun,” her mom said.
“I’m thinking about moving there. With him.”
Aria, Lyric, Jax, Mason, and Layla were seated at the island across the room and behind her parents. They all stopped talking and turned around to stare at her.
Lyric asked what they all wanted to know. “What about the bar?”
Melody owned a fourth of it. And she loved working there and being with her siblings, but she couldn’t pass up this opportunity to spread her wings and be with Fox. “Fox and I don’t have a specific date that we’ll be going to Boston to live, but when that time comes, and I’m no longer working there, I’ll relinquish my rights to the profits.”
Jax shook his head. “We own it equally.”
“But I won’t be contributing to running it. It’s only fair that my share goes back to you three.”
Aria added, “She’ll still own her quarter of the bar. If we sell, then she’ll get her cut.”
Melody nodded her agreement. “Fox will be here for a while yet, but I wanted you all to know that we’ve talked about the future and what we want and that means I’ll be headed to Boston with him. This short trip we’re taking is so that I can check out Fox’s place, his company, and the city.”
Fox put his hands on her shoulders, his chest to her back. “Melody loves it here. But I’m hoping she’ll find her place in the city, too, with me. I’ve promised her she can come back to visit you as often as she likes. And we want you to visit us there.”
“And what if she isn’t happy there?” Wade asked.
“Then I’m going to have one hell of a commute from Wyoming to Boston every week.”
“You’d do that?” Robin gaped. “You’d commute just so she could be here with us?”
“If that’s what she wants, then that’s the way it will have to be.”
“But the expense of that…” Aria was always the practical one.
“My company is doing well, and I earn more than I’m worth. It’s not a matter of money.”
Melody couldn’t let the comment about his worth go. “Your company’s success is because of you and all the hours you put into each project. No doubt your employees and customers believe you’re worth every penny.”
He kissed her on the head. “That’s just one of the many reasons I love her. She always reminds me what I do and who I am matters.”
“It’s no small thing you’ve accomplished, Fox.” Wade grabbed two beers out of the fridge and handed one to Fox.
They popped the tops, clinked the long necks together, then drank.
Lyric poured her a glass of wine. “I’d love to come visit you, maybe catch a concert.”
“Anytime,” Fox said. “I’ve got two guest rooms at the moment.”
Melody raised a brow. “How big is your place?”
His cheeks turned a little red. “Thirty-five hundred square feet. Three bedrooms, four baths in a high rise with a gorgeous view.”
“Damn.” Mason looked impressed.
Fox kept his gaze on her. “Like I said, if you want a house, we’ll find one you like.”
She shook her head and took a big sip of wine. “I’m just trying to take it all in.”
“You’ll see everything tomorrow. Then we can talk about what you like, what you want to change, or what you want to get that fits us better.”
“I like that us .” Robin opened the oven and pulled out a huge roasting pan with not one or two, but three roasted chickens.
While her sisters helped Mom get the food to the table, Melody introduced Fox to Mason and Layla.
When they all sat at the table and finished filling their plates with the succulent chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini medley, Jax made the next big announcement. “Layla and I are moving up the wedding to next month. We’ll have it here at the ranch, like Mason and Lyric did, with just family and close friends.”
“I thought you wanted to wait until early spring.” Robin stared at Jax, confused.
Since Jax and Layla wanted a simple, fast wedding, it didn’t take much planning. In fact, Layla had found her dress just last week. The rest—flowers, food, the small guest list, the honeymoon—was easy.
Jax and Layla shared a knowing look and smiles so big, their happiness couldn’t be denied. “We need to do it soon, so that Layla’s dress will still fit.” A gleam brightened Jax’s blue eyes.
Melody leaned into the table, her smile as big as theirs. “You’re pregnant,” she guessed, hoping it was true, because she knew how much they wanted to have a baby together. Especially after what they’d both gone through with their exes.
Layla kissed Jax, then turned to her. “Yes. We’re having a baby. It’s early yet, but the doctor said everything looks great so far. We truly didn’t think it would happen this fast.”
“You guys are going to be the best parents,” Aria said, her words joyful, though a bit of sadness crept into her eyes. As the oldest, Aria had probably thought she’d be first to marry and start a family. Now, Lyric and Jax were both making plans and living them out with their partners.
Lyric and Mason shared a look, he nodded, and Lyric announced, “Looks like we’re getting a couple of new Wildes.”
Robin’s head turned so fast, Melody wondered if she’d hurt herself. Mom gasped, “What?”
Lyric’s joyful smile made Melody’s heart light up. “We’re pregnant, too. Though I suspect I’m further along than Layla.”
Robin burst into happy tears, jumped up, and hugged Lyric.
Wade smacked Mason on the back.
Mom made her way to Jax and Layla and hugged them both.
Dad gave Jax a look filled with pride and a firm nod.
Fox squeezed Melody’s shoulder. “You’re going to be an aunt.”
“The best one ever,” she proclaimed, delighted for her brother and sister and their family.
From that point on, everyone ate, drank, and talked about everything from wedding plans to baby shower ideas to updates on the ranch and bar.
The night felt like a celebration of family and life and the promise of the future. And Melody looked around the table at all the faces that made up her family, then looked at Fox, in deep with the conversation about the latest HBO series blowing up.
It was nice to see them bonding and Fox jumping right in with all of them.
He fit.
And that meant everything because her family was so important to her.
Melody and Fox were the first to leave. They had a long drive back to town and needed to be up early to catch their very early flight. They stood on the porch after her mom and dad hugged her goodbye. The others were still inside.
Mom hugged Fox, then stepped back, still holding his arms. “Take care of my girl in that big city. Don’t let her get lost.”
Fox held her mom’s gaze. “I want to take care of her for the rest of my life. And Melody will never be lost. She knows exactly who she is and where she’s meant to be. I just hope it’s always with me.” Fox held out his hand to her dad. “Thank you for everything, most especially making me feel like part of the family tonight.”
Her dad took Fox’s hand and used his free one to grasp Fox’s shoulder. “Not just tonight, Fox. You are family. Never forget that. Anytime you’re lost, you find your way home. We’ll be here waiting.”
Fox bear-hugged her dad, then took her hand and led her to their cars. He stood beside hers, holding her hand, quiet and contemplative. “Do you know how lucky you are?”
“Yes. And I often take it for granted. But tonight…I feel very blessed to be a part of that group of amazing people, to know I’m loved, and welcome, and that they’re all as excited for me to be with you and looking toward our future as they are about the two new Wildes coming into this world soon.”
“I don’t think your family is excited about you moving away. And maybe now that you’re going to be an aunt, you’re not as willing to leave.” He took a step back, his body going rigid, like he was bracing for a blow.
She tried to ease his mind. “I haven’t changed my mind about us.”
“Are you sure? Because I feel like I really fucked up.” Fear stamped his face with worry lines.
She put her hand on his chest, his heart racing against her palm. “You apologized. I’ve let it go. We’re even taking a trip together tomorrow.”
He let out a breath and his whole body seemed to ease. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You need to stop looking for ways this could fall apart and instead enjoy being with me, because I’m committed to you, because I believe you’re committed to me.”
“I am. I want this to work. I want all those things I imagined in my head to be real.”
“Like kids? Because I want at least two.”
Surprise, joy, maybe a little shock lit his eyes. “Yes. Absolutely. Whenever you’re ready.”
“Great. Now can we please go home so I can show you how committed I am to us being happy together?”
Fox’s eyes heated with lust as his gaze swept over her. “What did you have in mind?”
“You. And me. Naked. Your hands on me as I ride you to oblivion.”
He hooked his arm around her shoulders, pulled her close, and crushed his mouth to hers in a searing kiss that left both of them panting and desperate for more.