Chapter 11 #2
She’s exactly as I’d imagined Callum’s mother would be—kind, warm, and full of life. Her eyes sparkle with curiosity as she steps in front of us.
“Violet, you’re as beautiful as I remember,” she says, glancing from Callum to me. “I was so sorry to hear about your father. He was truly a wonderful man.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, surprised she remembers me at all.
“Mom, I need to talk to you and Dad before everyone gets here,” Callum says.
She wipes her hands on the apron she’s wearing, worry swimming in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s good news,” he replies with a grin.
Callum leads me to the family room where his father is watching a baseball game.
“Callum has something to tell us,” his mother says, standing next to her husband’s chair.
His father turns off the TV and gives his full attention to Callum. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as Callum tells me to have a seat.
“Well, I wanted to tell you guys that Violet and I got married,” Callum says, resting his hand on my shoulder as he stands next to the chair I’m sitting in.
“What?” they both say in unison.
“I didn’t even know you were dating,” his mother says, looking between us.
“Hey, what’s going on…oh…we’ll sit,” Brock says, sitting down on the couch next to his father. Willow, his girlfriend, sits next to him with a gleam in her eye as she looks at me.
“Your brother got married,” his mother says, still staring at Callum.
“Really? Hmm, I think I heard something about that,” Brock replies before laughing.
“You knew?” his mother shouts.
“Knew what?” Tripp asks, walking in with Millie.
My eyes find Millie’s and she gives me a small smile as she shrugs.
“That Callum and Violet got married,” his mother says.
“Oh yeah, Millie was their witness,” Tripp says, plopping on the couch next to Willow.
“Tripp!” Millie shouts, shaking her head.
“Millie, we just went shopping and you didn’t say a word. Who else knows?” his mother questions.
“Mom, I told them all. I wanted to wait until Sunday dinner to tell you and Dad,” Callum explains.
“Well, I’m surprised, but I’m thrilled. I never thought my boy would fall in love and you’ve done it so quickly.” She rushes over and hugs me, squeezing me a little tight. “I’m so excited to have you join the family, Violet.”
My eyes lift to Callum and he gives me a small nod. He understands what I’m trying to say with just a simple look.
“Mom, it’s not like that. We aren’t in love. Violet needed a husband in order to keep her ranch and I offered to help her out,” Callum says.
I hear the men in the room groan as his mother stands in front of us. “What? What does that even mean?”
“Hey, smells awesome in here.” Anya says, walking in with Griffin, interrupting the tense mood. “Oh good, we didn’t miss anything.” She rushes over and stands behind the couch.
We have an audience now and I’m feeling like some sort of freak show.
“It’s not something everyone will understand, but Violet needed someone and I stepped up to help.
She would’ve lost the ranch if she didn’t get married, per her father’s will, and I couldn’t allow that to happen.
So, we got married. Now she saves the ranch and I have a wife.
Everyone should be happy about that. She’s part of the family now and I expect her to be treated as such.
We don’t have a romantic relationship, but that doesn’t make her any less my wife. ”
Shock and surprise fills everyone’s faces, including mine as I look up at Callum.
“See,” Anya whispers to Willow.
“Why’s it so quiet in here? Someone die?” Paxton says, stepping in with his wife, Hartford.
“Pax, don’t say d-i-e in front of August,” Shepherd says, smacking Paxton’s head as he and Felicity follow them in with their baby, August.
Well the entire family is here now and I’m ready to leave. It’s overwhelming. I’m not used to so many people for just a simple Sunday dinner. It was always just me and my dad. Occasionally, we’d have Joey and his wife or some of the other ranch hands, but not often. So, this is a lot for me.
“Damn, did we miss the big announcement?” Paxton asks, looking around.
“Yeah because you’re always late,” Callum says. “Now, everyone knows we’re married. How about we eat because I’m starving.”
Everyone starts talking and I feel like I’m in a fish bowl. I’m out of place as I feel like everyone is staring at me.
“Come with me,” Callum whispers, grabbing my hand. He leads me upstairs and into a bedroom, closing the door behind us. “That went better than I expected.”
I turn to look at him and he begins to laugh. It somehow helps and I shake my head, fighting my own laughter. “That was a lot. I’m not used to so much family or being the center of attention,” I admit.
Callum steps up to me and wraps his muscular arms around me. If I thought his hand on mine was electrifying, this is a million times more. I welcome the warmth of his body and his masculine scent. It should feel strange but it doesn’t.
It feels right. Like I fit perfectly against him.
“I told you I’ll be right by you, Violet. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable, I promise.”
I know he’s talking about his family, but as I close my eyes and listen to his deep voice, I pretend he’s talking about everything.
I pretend he’s talking about this marriage.