Chapter 21
Benjamin’s heart thudded slowly—too slowly—against his chest as he watched Summer’s expression. Confusion. Fear. Doubt. Hope.
He seized on the last one. “It’s the only way, Summer. We can provide for Max. Give him a happy home.” And they would be happy together too, although he didn’t add that. He knew Summer’s only thought right now was for Max.
She dropped her eyes to the blanket, and Benjamin’s resolve wobbled.
Trust in the Lord, Dad had urged.
But he had trusted. And the Lord hadn’t seemed moved to do anything.
So now it was Benjamin’s turn to step up. Before it was too late and Summer lost Max forever.
Besides, who was to say this wasn’t how the Lord would take care of Max and Summer?
“Did you see me?” Max’s little legs scampered back up the hill. He grinned around the puffs of his breath. “I went fast.”
“You sure did, Maxerooni. Do it again, and I’ll time you.” Benjamin held up his left wrist to set his fitness watch. Max loved the stopwatch on it.
“Boy oh boy.” Max clapped his hands. “I’m going to go super-fast.”
“Be careful, Max.” Summer’s voice was shaky.
As soon as the boy started rolling again, Benjamin turned to Summer. “So? What do you say?”
She pressed her lips together. “You don’t really mean it.”
“I do.” Benjamin reached for her hand. “You know I would do anything for Max.” He so badly wanted to add, and for you, but he was afraid that would only spook her. It was better if she thought this was all for Max. There would be plenty of time for her to fall in love with him once they were married.
And if she never did . . . Well, he could live with that. As long as she got to keep Max.
Summer slid her palm out of his. “I don’t know.”
“Do you have a better idea?” He switched tactics.
She shook her head slowly.
He grabbed both of her hands this time and waited for her to look at him. “Summer, we can do this. For Max. And for TJ.”
“How long was that?” Max burst back up the hill, and Benjamin checked his stopwatch.
“Thirty seconds.”
Max cheered. “Time me again.”
Benjamin started the watch, and Max tucked himself over the side of the hill.
“You can’t lose him.” Benjamin’s eyes were still on Max, but his hands gripped Summer’s tighter.
“I know,” she whispered. And then, “Okay.”
“Okay?” Benjamin turned to her with one eyebrow raised, trying to figure out if that meant what he thought it meant.
“Okay.” Summer nodded. “Let’s do it. Let’s get married.” Her face was somber, as if she’d just agreed to a business proposal rather than a marriage proposal. But a thousand pounds seemed to lift off of Benjamin’s heart.
“Okay,” he agreed, allowing himself the tiniest grin.
They stared at each other for a moment, and then Benjamin jumped to his feet.
“Come on.” He held out a hand to help Summer up.
“Now?” The word was more of a gasp than a question.
Benjamin nodded. “The courthouse is just down the road, and Tennessee doesn’t have a waiting period for a marriage license.” One of the many things he’d researched after the first time he’d asked her.
“The courthouse?” Summer’s forehead creased, and she didn’t take his still-outstretched hand. “Don’t you want your dad to do it?”
Benjamin averted his eyes.
Dad had made it clear that he didn’t think this was a good idea. Benjamin hated the thought of going against his father’s wishes. And yet, he felt like this was the right thing to do—and he was an adult, after all. He could make his own decisions.
“He has a lot going on.” Benjamin waved off Summer’s question. “He probably couldn’t fit us in anyway. I’m sure he’ll understand why we did it at the courthouse.” He said it as much to convince himself as to convince her, but he couldn’t help seeing a flash of his estranged brother Judah.
A low roll of anxiety went through him. What if this caused a rift between him and his family?
Well, then it caused a rift, he decided. He had to do what he felt was right, even if his family might not approve.
“Benjamin.” Summer gave him a searching look, but Max reappeared before she could say anything else.
“Are you going to roll, Benji?” the boy asked eagerly.
“Sure, Maxerooni. And then we’re going to go. We have to make one more quick stop on the way home.” He snorted to himself. It wasn’t like he’d ever really fantasized about his wedding. But he’d always thought it would be more than a “quick stop” in his day.
“For ice cream?” Max’s eyes lit up.
“Nope.” Benjamin was pretty sure his own eyes were more eager than the boy’s. “Something better.”