Chapter 50
The Permission He Didn’t Need
Sam waited until midmorning before walking over to Rafe and Abby’s place. Even bundled in his coat, the cold bit through him, but the fresh air helped keep his head steady. He wanted to think clearly today. Needed to.
Scout trotted beside him, limping only slightly now, refusing to leave Sam’s shadow.
By the time Sam reached the big Kincaid house, smoke curled from the chimney and the windows glowed warm. He raised a hand to knock—
The door swung wide before he touched it.
Rafe leaned against the frame, arms folded, one brow lifted. “You’ve got that look.”
Sam blinked. “What look?”
“The ‘I’m about to ask something I don’t need to ask look.’”
Sam groaned. “Rafe…”
“Come on in.” Rafe stepped back. “Abby just put coffee on. Jo’s here too.”
“Great,” Sam muttered. “Just who I wanted to embarrass myself in front of.”
Rafe grinned.
Inside, Jo was perched on the counter eating a biscuit, and Abby was stirring something on the stove. They all turned toward Sam with identical expressions—expectant, knowing, impossible to escape.
Abby lit up. “Sam! Coffee?”
“Sure,” he said, suddenly wishing he’d stayed home.
He sat at the table. Scout lay at his feet. Rafe leaned against the wall. Jo hopped off the counter and folded her arms. Abby put a steaming mug in front of Sam with suspicious enthusiasm.
“So,” Jo said brightly, “When’s the wedding?”
Sam nearly inhaled his coffee. “Good lord, Jo—I came to talk, not—”
“We know,” Abby said gently. “Sit. Tell us what’s weighing on you.”
Sam rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s… it’s Tessa.”
Rafe smirked. “I figured, seeing as you’ve been floating more than walking these last few days.”
Jo elbowed him. “Let the man speak.”
Sam took a breath. “I want to ask her to marry me.”
Abby clapped both hands over her mouth. Jo whooped. Rafe’s grin stretched wide.
Sam held up both palms. “Not today,” Sam clarified. “But soon.”
They sobered, listening.
“And before I do,” Sam continued carefully, “I need to make sure… it’s all right. With you three. With the ranches. With the way we run things. I mean, with adding Tessa and Isaac. Another family in the mix. More people depending on the livestock and land. More mouths to feed. More—”
“Stop,” Jo said, holding up a hand.
Sam swallowed. “What?”
“You think you need permission to bring home the woman you love?” she asked gently.
“I just—” Sam faltered. “This ranch setup… it’s all of us. Together. And I don’t want to shift things without—”
“Sam,” Rafe said quietly, “I was the first one you let into your family. Your real family. You and Abby let me into your lives before I had anything to offer but my hands and my horse.” His voice softened. “Everything we built after—that’s because you trusted me first.”
Abby nodded, eyes shining.
A voice drifted in from the mudroom doorway.
“Not the only one.”
Sam turned as Reed stepped inside, snow still dusting his coat. He closed the door with his boot and joined them at the table like he’d been expected all along.
Reed shrugged one shoulder. “You let me in too. And I wasn’t related to a single one of you.”
Sam blinked. “Reed, you—how long were you standing there?”
“Long enough,” Reed said dryly. “And he’s right, Sam. You pulled me into this family same as Rafe. None of us were born into it. We’re here because we chose each other.”
Jo snapped her fingers. “Exactly! That’s what I’ve been saying.”
Reed continued, voice steady but warm. “If you’re choosing Tessa and Isaac, then they’re ours too. No permission needed.”
Rafe nodded firmly. “What he said.”
Abby rested her hand on Sam’s shoulder. “We’ve been waiting for you to see it.”
Sam drew a breath that felt easier than any he’d taken in days.
He looked at each of them—Rafe, Jo, Abby, Reed—the family that had grown around him, not by blood alone, but by choice.
“I just wanted to do right by everyone,” he said softly.
“You are,” Reed answered simply. “You always do.”
Rafe nodded firmly. “So, the question isn’t whether we approve. It’s whether you’re ready.”
Sam lifted his chin. “I am.”
Jo grinned. “Then go ask her before your courage wears off.”
Sam flushed. “Not this minute.”
“Tonight?” Jo teased.
“Maybe,” Sam admitted.
Rafe leaned back with a satisfied nod. “Good. Because every man in this valley already knows she’s yours.”
Sam nearly choked again. “Rafe—”
“And for the record?” Rafe added, voice lowering. “We’ve all been waiting for the day you’d stop looking like a kicked puppy every time she smiles at you.”
Sam groaned into his hands. Abby laughed. Jo leaned on the counter, delighted.
Finally, Sam stood, heart steadier than it had been in days.
“I want her and Isaac to know they belong completely.” he said.
Rafe stood too. “Then go make it official.”
Abby hugged him tightly before he could evade it. “We love you, Sam.”
Jo patted Scout. “Take him with you. Dogs know when proposals are coming.”
Sam rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile.
As he stepped back outside into the cold, crisp air, Scout beside him, Sam felt something he hadn’t felt in years—the path ahead finally felt clear.
Tonight, maybe.
Tomorrow, surely.
He would ask Tessa to be his wife.
And soon after, he would ask the boys the question that mattered just as much: What kind of family do you want to be?
The future no longer felt so far out of reach.
And for the first time, Sam Fletcher felt ready to step into it.