Chapter 29
AIDEN
A FEW MONTHS LATER
Aiden adjusted the collar of his button-up shirt and stared up at the large imposing house.
Why did it look so much scarier now that he had to go inside to meet with Lily’s father? Yesterday, he couldn’t wait to walk through that door to see the girl of his dreams.
But now?
He rubbed his clammy hands on his pants.
Mathew had been pushing him to get this conversation over with for a week already. Aiden knew he wasn’t going to ask for Lily’s hand without her father’s blessing, so he was ready to get this part done.
Well, except for sheer terror.
Mr. Taylor was one of the most imposing men Aiden knew. He was strong and had a no-nonsense way about him. His beliefs and values were rooted in tradition. Thank goodness Aiden didn’t have any Meyers blood running through his veins, or this relationship with Lily would have been much harder.
Aiden couldn’t even fault Royce for eloping with the girl he loved. Standing before their families and proclaiming their love for each other had to be one of the hardest things he and Penny had dealt with.
Swallowing hard, Aiden took a step toward the house, then stopped again. What if George Taylor told him no? Then what? Shoot. Aiden didn’t have a safety net. He’d already made reservations at Lily’s favorite restaurant. They were going out tonight, and everything was already set up.
Suddenly, Aiden felt even sicker to his stomach.
“You gonna keep staring at it, or dredge up some courage and knock?”
Aiden startled and turned to find Emerson lounging against a nearby truck. He had a piece of straw dangling from his lips. His dark blue eyes nearly matched his black hair in this light. Then again, that could have been due to the shadow cast by his cowboy hat.
His lips curled into a smirk as he nodded toward the house. “Seeing as Lily is out shopping with Jazz for tonight, I think I have a pretty good idea why you’re here.”
Aiden cast another nervous glance at the house. “What if he says no?”
Emerson chuckled. “The better question is whether it’s worth the risk.” He pushed away from the truck and sauntered over. “George is fiercely protective of his daughters. But you have a few things going for you.”
“I do?”
The cowboy held up three fingers, ticking them off as he spoke. “You’re not a Meyers.”
Aiden tossed him a knowing look.
“You’ve got a good job, and people around here respect you.” Emerson then turned his eyes toward the house—or maybe one window in particular. His expression grew thoughtful. “And you love her. All of her. You’re willing to stand beside her when life gets difficult.”
Aiden studied Emerson. Something in his quiet voice made Aiden wonder if he was speaking from experience. It sent a shiver down his spine and made him wonder if Emerson was speaking from personal experience.
He didn’t get a chance to ask, however, because Emerson clapped him on the back before giving him a gentle shove.
“Just be honest with the man. Show him you respect his daughter and want to build a good life with her.” He didn’t bother meeting Aiden’s eyes before heading toward the barn, whistling.
Doing his best not to show how nervous he was, Aiden straightened his shoulders and strode toward the house. He lifted his fist, knocked twice, then waited.
When the door opened, he came face-to-face with Lily’s father.
“Hello, Mr. Stone.”
Lily darted out of the house before Aiden had a chance to cross the yard from his vehicle. She threw herself into his arms, and he held her tight. Dipping his face toward her hair, he breathed her in.
They were in such a good place now, and he never wanted that to change. Over the past few months, he had done his best to keep every promise he’d made to her. They told each other everything. Sometimes they stayed up late discussing everything from their childhoods to their dreams for the future.
There were only two things he hadn’t told her—the ring and the conversation he’d had with her father that afternoon.
Aiden hadn’t revealed the ring he’d purchased the day everything went wrong. The day of her birthday. He had held onto it because he knew it would have been too much to put on her then. Lily hadn’t deserved to feel cornered or pressured after he had already kept so much from her.
This was different.
Neither the ring nor the conversation with her father was a truth Lily needed in order to choose him. They were surprises—ones he hoped would make her happy.
She pulled back, her eyes sparkling. “Jasmine told me we’re meeting up after dinner for ice cream. Why didn’t you tell me?”
He tapped her nose. “I might tell you everything, angel, but you still need a healthy dose of surprises in your life.” He made a face, as though Jasmine spoiling it was some major disappointment.
“I guess I know better than to confide in your sister. Guys are so much better at keeping things on the down low.”
Lily’s arched brow and the turn of her lips said it all. “Parker is going to be there too, isn’t he? Please tell me we’re going to try to get them together.”
Aiden threw his head back with a laugh, then pulled her in for another kiss, its warmth settling through him. This connection was more than physical and emotional. This was a connection created by God himself. If there was ever such a thing as soulmates, Lily was his without a doubt.
She giggled and reached up to wipe at the smudge of lipstick he was now wearing. “Maybe I should stick to lip balm for a little while.”
“I don’t mind,” he murmured, sliding an arm around her waist as he walked her toward the passenger side of the car.
He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and noticed the man he’d met with just a few hours ago.
George Taylor gave him a curt nod, then walked away from the window.
Aiden’s stomach churned with nervous excitement as he opened the door and helped Lily inside.
His eyes swept over her white sundress, accented with little sunflowers.
She’d paired it with boots that made her look more cowgirl than future veterinarian—a role that would come more quickly now that she was taking classes.
Her red hair was swept up off her neck into a casual updo. But it was her eyes that held him captive. Those gorgeous blues that could go from sunny skies to storm clouds depending on her mood would always be his favorite feature.
He dipped down and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I love you, Lily Taylor.”
Her soft hand wrapped around the back of his neck, and she kissed him again, holding nothing back.
They were on their way shortly after. Lily chatted about her classes and how excited she was to start this new adventure. Aiden listened and let himself enjoy the reality of what his life had become.
At some point, she reached across the center console and intertwined her fingers with his. He dragged his thumb over the back of her hand, and she smiled at him.
Peace.
Connection.
The feeling of coming home.
That was what being with Lily felt like. Every day, he woke up feeling like he could take on whatever life had to throw at him.
Which was why the ring was currently burning a hole in his pocket.
They made it to the restaurant, an Italian place a few towns over that offered unlimited breadsticks.
“Do you think it would be weird if I tried to start my own business?” Lily asked after taking a bite of the tiramisu they’d gotten for dessert.
“Weird?” He laughed. “No. I think you’d love being your own boss. You have a knack for leadership.”
She scrunched her nose. “But running a clinic would mean managing employees too. What if I’m not good at that part?”
He reached for her hand and held it. “I think it’s safe to say you’ve grown a lot. By the time you finish your classes and training, you’ll have a better idea of what makes a good boss. If you decide to start your own clinic someday, I’ll be there to support you.”
Her smile was everything he needed. “Why are you so good to me?”
“It’s the other way around, angel. I assure you.”
Aiden brought her hand to his mouth. Then, while she was distracted by the kiss, he reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring.
Lily’s eyes widened as he continued holding her hand and lowered himself onto one knee beside the table.
Before he had a chance to ask the question, she blurted, “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”
She was practically vibrating with excitement as he chuckled and shook his head.
“I had a whole speech planned.”
It was her turn to shake her head and squirm in her seat. “I don’t care. I mean, I appreciate it, but you don’t have to convince me. I’m in, Aiden. I’m all in.”
“But I even asked your father for his blessing.”
All at once, she went still. “You did?” she asked in a quiet, awed voice.
He nodded. “We had a nice, long chat.”
“What did he say?”
Aiden’s skin heated. “He may or may not have threatened bodily harm if I ever broke your heart.”
She snorted a laugh. “Typical. Honestly, I’m surprised he didn’t tell you to walk off a cliff or some nonsense.”
His grin widened. “I think there was something along the lines of no one being good enough for his little girl, but I’m close enough.”
Lily laughed. Then she wiggled her fingers. “Well? What are you waiting for?”
Aiden drew in a shaky breath and nodded. “Right.”
He looked up at the woman who had changed everything.
“Lily, will you marry me? Will you be my partner and build a life with me? Will you make me the happiest man alive and let me spend the rest of my life loving you?”
Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Yes,” she said on a broken whisper. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
With that, he slipped the princess-cut diamond onto her finger. She held it up to admire it while people at a couple of nearby tables clapped for them. Then she took his face into her hands and kissed him.
When they pulled apart, she brushed a stray tear from her cheek. “You make me the happiest woman alive too, you know.”
Aiden pressed a kiss to her forehead, then took his seat. “That is music to my ears.”
About an hour later, they were seated across from Parker and Jasmine at a creamery that served rolled ice cream. Jasmine was gushing over how perfect she thought the ring was.
But Parker was quiet. Every so often, his eyes would catch Aiden’s and he’d smile, but he seemed deep in thought.
Parker wasn’t the same man as he’d been a few months ago. He’d kept the reason for his good mood to himself, but now Aiden wanted to know what had changed.
Not now, though. That conversation could wait.
“So…” Jasmine drawled. “When’s the wedding?”
Lily beamed and met Aiden’s eyes. He nodded. They had already talked about what they wanted. There was no reason to drag things out if they were both ready.
“We agreed we don’t need a long engagement. We’re hoping to secure a date next month, then we can order the invitations.”
Parker choked on his ice cream. Then he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Aiden shot him an amused glance. “Think you can pull yourself together long enough to be my best man?”
He coughed again, and the rest of them chuckled.
Jasmine grinned at him. “Come on, Parker. It’s not like you’re getting married anytime soon. Breathe.” She patted him on the back and winked at Lily. “I’m guessing I’ll be your maid of honor?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Lily insisted.
Parker nodded once he caught his breath, offering his brother a faint smile. “I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss my big brother’s wedding for the world.”
“I appreciate it.”
Aiden draped an arm around Lily’s shoulders, then leaned in and kissed her temple.
“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” he whispered.
She grinned back. “Same.”