Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
C hance kissed Summer. “Have fun with the girls tonight.”
“I will,” she told him. “It’s really great to have such a terrific core group of women. I’m glad everyone has welcomed Jen into the fold. I’ll be back tomorrow morning for breakfast. Don’t forget that you promised me an omelet. And I want the works. Mushrooms. Onions. Ham and cheese.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” he teased, closing her car door. He watched her drive away and knew the time had come.
It was time to marry this woman.
Yes, it was way too soon to think that way, but he wasn’t one to leave anything to chance. Summer already spent several nights a week with him at the ranch. He didn’t see any need to waste time. They loved one another. They should be together all the time.
Chance decided a visit to Joe and Meg Sutherland was in order.
He went to his truck, not wanting to call ahead.
The Sutherlands had hosted them for Sunday lunch last weekend, and he had noticed both of them watching how Summer and he interacted with one another.
Chance hoped he would get their permission to wed their daughter, but if he didn’t, it wouldn’t stop him from proposing.
On the way, he rehearsed what to say and then decided he wouldn’t remember any of it by the time he got to their place. He would merely speak from his heart.
Ten minutes later, he found himself on their doorstep, his heart beating slightly faster than normal. Chance rang the doorbell, and Meg Sutherland answered, giving him a warm smile.
“Why, hello, Chance. It’s good to see you. Come on in.”
He stepped into the foyer. “I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t call before coming.”
“Oh, honey, we don’t mind at all. It’s a Friday night, and we’re both tired after a long work week. Joe has already had his dinner and watched Jeopardy , so you’re not interrupting anything.”
She walked him to the den, a room he’d sat in hundreds of times over the years. He and West had watched plenty of ballgames. Played video games. Even a few parties had been held here. He saw Joe sitting in his chair, reading glasses perched on his nose as he held a book in his hand.
Spying Chance, he closed the book and set it aside, rising to greet him. “Hello, Chance. You lonely with the girls having their night out? Or in, I should say. Autumn said it was a potluck and didn’t know what they’d be eating.”
“Have a seat,” Meg offered.
He took one, and they talked about how Jace had taken West and Eli to New Orleans today.
The Final Four was being held in the Big Easy this year, and the three would attend the two semifinal games scheduled for Saturday.
Jace would stay on to watch the championship Monday night, while West and Eli would return on Sunday in time to go to work on Monday.
Finally, Joe said, “I know you have better things to do on a Friday night than spend it with us. What’s on your mind, Chance?”
“Your daughter,” he responded. “I think you know how much I care for Summer. It’s hard to think now that I never really paid much attention to her all the years I spent coming over here.”
“You had your eye on other things,” Joe said. “Sports. Girls your own age.”
“You’re right. I never thought of Summer as anything other than West’s little sister. His rather talkative little sister,” he added, causing the couple to laugh.
“Yes, Autumn was the quiet one,” Meg said. “But Summer could talk your ear off. She really blossomed after the braces came off and she began wearing contacts. If I recall, you were gone away to college by then.”
“Yes, ma’am. I know I saw her a couple of times before she graduated from college and moved to New York, but again, she was only West’s sister.” He paused. “She’s a lot more to me now. That’s why I’m here.”
He took a deep breath and slowly expelled it. “I’m in love with your daughter. Summer is the only woman I’ve ever loved. The only one I ever will love. She makes me happier than I ever imagined possible. I’d like your permission to ask her to marry me.”
The Sutherlands exchanged a glance, and Meg teared up as Joe said, “We think the two of you are meant to be together. It’s obvious, just watching you, how crazy you are about one another.
Normally, I would be hesitant, thinking a marriage wouldn’t be a success because your relationship has happened lightning fast, but we’ve known you your whole life, Chance.
I trust you and Summer know what you’re doing. ”
Meg took his hand and squeezed it. “It’s sweet that you came to ask us, but you don’t need our permission. Summer is an adult with a mind of her own. She’ll be the one to decide if she wants to marry you or not. But there’s not a doubt in my mind what she’ll say.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Boy, that was harder than I imagined it was going to be, but I sure do appreciate your support.”
Joe offered Chance a hand, and he shook it.
“You’re already like family, Chance. A brother to West. And with your sister married to our son—and now you and Summer getting hitched—we truly are family. How about a beer to celebrate?”
“Sounds good to me,” he replied.
Meg wound up bringing them beers and making a bag of popcorn. They sat and reminisced about events over the years, and Chance knew he was blessed to have this couple as his future in-laws.
“I better head home and hit the sack,” he finally said. “Summer and I are going riding tomorrow.”
“She said she’s been riding with you a few times,” Meg said. “I know she hadn’t been on a horse since high school. I hope she’s coming along all right.”
“I have her riding Duchess. She’s a roan with a gentle spirit, and she and Summer have taken to each other. Nothing to worry about,” he assured them. “Summer’s at home in the saddle.”
“Do you know when you’ll ask her to marry you?” Meg asked. “Not that I’m pushing for you to do it soon. It’ll just be hard to look at Summer, knowing what we know and not letting the cat out of the bag.”
He grinned, recalling that Meg was known for not being able to keep a secret. “I’m planning a picnic after we ride tomorrow. I’ll ask her then. I’m sure she’ll be talking to you about it soon. What kind of wedding she wants.”
“Do you have any preferences?” Meg asked.
“Soon would be my only preference,” he replied. “But I know girls sometimes have an idea of what their wedding should be in their head. Summer can take all the time she wants.”
“She’ll appreciate that,” Joe said. “Good luck with your proposal. And we’ll act very surprised when Summer tells us about it,” he joked.
Chance drove back to the ranch, his spirits soaring. He might not have his own parents alive to witness the ceremony, but Tammy would be there, and he knew he was getting a terrific set of in-laws.
He sent a text to Summer, telling her he hoped she was having fun and that he couldn’t wait to see her tomorrow. It took him no time to fall asleep.
And his dreams were all about the woman he loved.
Summer dressed in jeans and boots for her morning ride with Chance. Although she’d enjoyed spending time with the girls last night, she was more than ready to see her man.
She came downstairs and found Autumn sipping herbal tea. Her sister’s baby bump was already showing.
“How is it, giving up coffee?” she asked.
“Not bad. I tried a half-coffee and half-decaf mix, but to be honest, the taste of coffee doesn’t sit well with me anymore. I’ve bought a variety pack of herbal teas which are caffeine-free. Blueberry. Pomegranate. Citrus. Orange spice. They’re really good. Want a cup?”
“No, thanks. I’m heading over to the ranch now. Chance is making breakfast for me. He may not be able to cook anything else, but he’s a master chef when it comes to making breakfast foods.”
“How is your cooking coming along? I barely see you since you’re at the ranch all the time.”
“I’m working my way through Tammy’s recipe book. I’ve had some hits and misses, but I’m really enjoying cooking. I’m even thinking of making a future character a chef.”
“That reminds me. You haven’t sent me anything new for a week now.”
Autumn had read her first novel in one sitting, giving Summer some much needed feedback, and she was reading this second one a few chapters at a time, the same as Becky and Nancy were doing.
“Let me go email you now in case you can get to it this weekend, especially with Eli gone until tomorrow afternoon.”
Autumn smiled. “You know how much I’m enjoying it. You are so talented, Summer. I really believe that this series is going to sell well.”
“Let’s hope.”
She went upstairs again and quickly sent the updated manuscript to her twin and two beta readers and then came back downstairs, saying, “I sent the new pages to you, Becky, and Nancy. You don’t know how much it’s helped, getting this feedback from the three of you.
And I’ll be back by dinnertime this evening.
I’ll show off my new cooking skills to you. ”
“Don’t you want to be with Chance?” Autumn asked.
“Eli’s gone. We have to take advantage of that. We can have serious twin talk time. We’ll have dinner. Yak. Watch a mushy Hallmark movie. It’ll be fun.”
Her sister smiled. “I’d like that. I’ll see you later then.”
“Bye.”
Summer left and headed straight for Blackstone Ranch. She looked forward to their ride this morning. Though she hadn’t been on a horse in forever, she was enjoying time in the saddle. Duchess was such a gentle mount, and it was refreshing to be outside and get some exercise in a fun, unique way.
Besides, it gave her time with Chance, and she was all about that.
He came out on the porch as she pulled up, giving her a sweet kiss.
“Have I told you lately that I love you?” he said, his voice low and seductive.
“Why, I believe you did last night when I left.”
He wrapped his arms about her. “Then let me start with today.” He kissed her brow. “I love you, Summer Sutherland.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you.” He kissed both cheeks. “I really love you.”