Chapter 50
50
By the time they’d cleaned the kitchen after breakfast, laughter came from outside.
“Sounds like everyone is arriving at once,” Michelle said with excitement in her voice.
Keith opened the door to welcome them all inside. Cade ran out to help carry food items. Keith’s eyes popped when he saw the picnic baskets and boxes of food, jugs of tea, and bottles of wine. “Are we feeding an army?”
“No, but they usually hang around all day, so we’ll have plenty of food.”
“For a hundred people,” he said through a laugh.
Adam, Charlotte, Belynda, and Nelson came through the door with their arms full, kissing Michelle’s cheek as they passed. When Jackie stopped in front of Keith, she said. “Good to see you again.”
“Hello, Jackie.” Keith kissed her cheek.
“I’d like you to meet my fiancé, Oscar. Oscar, Keith Mason, a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful.”
“H-hello.”
“Don’t drop the tea,” Jackie said.
Keith reached out his hand, and Oscar shook it with enthusiasm. “This is who you and Michelle have been talking about?”
“What?” Keith asked.
“She wouldn’t let me say your name in public, so I nicknamed you Mr. Wonderful.” Jackie shrugged.
Keith burst out laughing. “You keep calling me that, and maybe she won’t find out that I’m not.”
Michelle wrapped her arms around his waist. “I won’t find out you’re not what?”
“Nothing,” Keith mumbled.
“Wonderful,” Jackie said as she hugged Michelle.
When the four closed the door and looked up, all the children stared at them. “What?” Michelle asked.
“Nothing,” they all said in unison, then made themselves busy.
Keith slung his arm around Michelle’s shoulders. “I don’t think your children are ready to see you with me.”
She leaned her head back and stared at him. “I guess it is a shock for them. Give them time. They’ll get used to it.”
“I brought appetizers to snack on while everything cooks,” Belynda said as she pulled out a charcuterie board with all the fixings.
“I’ve got deviled eggs,” Jackie chimed in.
Nine people moved around the kitchen and dining room, preparing a feast. Nibbling here and there, sitting and chatting while the food cooked. Michelle leaned against the doorjamb, watching all the people she loved interact with each other. Keith wrapped his arms around Michelle from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. “A penny for your thoughts.”
“Look at this, Keith. All the people I love in one place, laughing and talking. This makes me happy.” She canted her head to look at him.
“This makes me happy too. This is what holidays are all about.”
“But your sons aren’t with you.”
“I’d imagine their mother whisked them away on some vacation where it’s warm. She wasn’t one for cold weather. One reason that she hardly ever came to the cabin in Montana.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’ll see them soon.”
As they stood against the wall watching a game of Charades, Keith caught Cade’s eye. With a barely perceived nod, Cade moved toward Adam, whispered in his ear, and then said something to Belynda.
The three of them moved toward the kitchen. Keith waited a few minutes, then kissed Michelle’s cheek and backed away. “Where are you going?”
“Cade said something about bringing Christmas decorations in. I’m going to help.”
“All right, but I need to warn you...”
He held up his hand. “I’m predicting ten boxes.”
She laughed. “At least.”
Keith walked outdoors, found Adam pacing, and knew this was going to be a hard sell.
“You asked me to help you get us all together.” Cade shrugged.
“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “I know seeing me with your mother is still a shock.”
“You got that right,” Adam mumbled.
“Adam, I love your mother, and she loves me.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because she told me last night.” Keith blew out a heavy breath. “Look, I know this is new and quick for all of you. I get that. But your mother has become my world in a short amount of time. The crazy part is that I feel that I’ve known her for years. We just fit together.”
“So what are you trying to tell us, Keith?” Belynda asked.
“I’d like your blessing before I ask your mother to marry me.”
“What?” Adam said.
“Shh. She’ll hear you and come outside. He’d like to surprise her, dumbass,” Cade said.
“You knew about this?” Adam scowled.
Cade massaged his forehead. “I ran them out of the bed this morning, and she told me that she loves him.”
Adam threw up his hands. “I don’t need to hear that. Baseball, baseball, baseball,” Adam said as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Adam, your mother is coming out to Montana to meet my sons. I’m going to propose then. You’re the oldest, but I know how much she loves all of you. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”
“Mom is happy, Adam,” Belynda said.
“I know, and we’ve talked.” Adam looked at his siblings. He threw a key to Cade. “Why don’t y’all grab some boxes. I want a minute with Keith.”
“Don’t do something stupid, bro.” Cade clamped Adam’s shoulder.
Keith waited and watched Adam’s feet make arcs in the dirt—probably to give Cade and Belynda a minute to walk away and himself time to gather his thoughts. Adam finally took a deep breath and looked at Keith. “You came out of nowhere. And to be honest, I wasn’t ready to see my mom with another man. I’ve had issues with my dad’s death that I never shared, but Mom and I recently had a good talk. I know she’s happy with you. I see it and hear it in her voice. But I need to know something from you.”
“What’s that?”
“Do you really love her? I mean, really, really love her. I don’t know if I could handle seeing her as broken as when Dad died, so if you’re not sure. Don’t ask for my blessing, and don’t ask her to marry you.”
Keith blinked back tears after hearing the emotion in Adam’s voice. He wasn’t mad. He was worried. “Adam, I will do everything within my power to make your mother happy. I will spend every last penny I have to ensure she gets what she wants in life.”
“She doesn’t want your money.”
“You’re right, she doesn’t. Do you know what that’s like for someone like me? I’m used to that being all anyone wants from me. She couldn't care less about the fame and fortune that some people crave. Do you understand how refreshing that is?”
“I guess not, but seeing the look on your face right now, I suppose it’s rare.”
“Priceless is more like it.”
“I swear to you on all that is holy, Keith. If you hurt her, I don’t care how big of a movie star you are, I will find you, and you’ll regret the day you ever met me.”
“Does that mean I have your blessing?”
“You have my blessing.”
Keith reached out his hand, and Adam took it. When Adam gripped Keith’s hand, Keith pulled him in for a hug. About the time he slapped Adam on the back, Cade and Belynda came out of the garage. They dropped the boxes they were carrying and jogged over to Adam and Keith.
“I have his blessing. What about the two of you?” Keith grinned.
“Yes.” Belynda hugged him.
“Whatever he said, make it a double,” Cade said as he and Keith shook hands and hugged.
“We better get back inside before your mother comes looking for us.”
“Keith, take the boxes I had. I’ll help Adam get the tree.” Cade backed toward Adam, then slung his arm over his brother’s shoulder.
“I’m so excited,” Belynda said.
“Please keep it a secret. I’ve got some shopping to do when I get home.” Keith chuckled.
Belynda looked at Keith. “You and Mom are killing me, keeping all the secrets when I want to scream it to the world.”
“Soon, I promise.”