Gabe took a sharp breath, his chest tightening.“In hindsight, we probably should have told them.Too late to fix that now.Rafe wasn’t happy about being left out in the cold.He’s giving us until tomorrow, at dinnertime.We’re supposed to tell your parents about the elopement or he will.”His heart twisted at the thought.Would he lose the two finest people he’d ever had as part of his life, because he hadn’t told them everything?Douglas and Ms.Patti were a large part of why he wanted to stay in Shiloh Springs.
Her lips trembled.“You know how that’s going to go.You’ve seen the way my momma talks about weddings.Aboutmywedding.It’s supposed to be a huge event.She’s waited for so long, needing the whole big white wedding for her only daughter.And now…” She stopped herself, her face flushed with emotion.
“I never wanted to hurt your family, but I didn’t want to pull them into my drama.They’re too important to me—to us,” Gabe said again, the words raw on his tongue.
“I feel like we’ve been living in this bubble, hiding from everything that’s out there.I wanted us to have some time just for us, and now I’m afraid it’s going to turn around and bite us, and that’s on me.I’m the one who asked you not to say anything.But I should have known, after everything I’ve seen my brothers go through with the women they love, the truth always catches up with you.I don’t know how to fix this, but I know we will face ittogether, and we won’t let it break us.”
At the calm in her voice, he felt like he could breathe for the first time all day.But even as he clung to that moment, the reality of the situation pressed down harder than ever.This wasn’t just about his past anymore.Their future was in limbo.Between having to admit to his new in-laws they’d kept their marriage a secret, the whole offer from the World Health Organization to work abroad, and now this shadow from his past threatening to derail everything.His new start—his do-over—felt like it was about to implode, along with his shiny new future.
Only it wasn’t just his future, it was Nica’s future too.And he would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
CHAPTER NINE
Nica stood onthe back patio of the Big House, the early afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the sprawling property.It was already blazing hot, and the weather forecast had mentioned the temps would climb up to triple digits by late afternoon.She only hoped the temps were the only thing heated today, though she had the feeling once she and Gabe talked with her parents, tempers might quickly match the temperatures.
She could smell the savory scent of sizzling hamburgers and ribs, hear the low hum of family voices in the background.Laughter carried across the yard as a few of her brothers joked with one another, and Douglas stood at the grill, his wide shoulders still imposing even in his worn jeans and a stained apron that readKiss the Cook.Her heart ached looking at him, knowing before too much longer, she was going to break his heart.It added an additional layer of worry, because it hadn’t been all that long ago he’d had a heart attack.Guess it was a good thing his new son-in-law was also his physician.
But none of that made her feel better.
She shifted nervously beside Gabe, who was leaning against the porch railing with his arms crossed, looking every bit as relaxed as always.Of course, he’d be calm about this.The man was a picture of control, rarely getting flustered or losing his cool.But Nica could feel the weight of what was about to happen bearing down on her like a thousand-pound boulder.
The truth was, she’d hoped—no, prayed—they could somehow get through this dinner without anyone finding out.Maybe she could sneak away and head to her apartment and nobody would notice.By the time dessert rolled around, her family would be too full and too distracted to care.Unfortunately, big brother Rafe spotted them as they walked up, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto her, and she’d known instantly he wasn’t about to allow her to get away with one more day of not telling her momma and dad how she’d screwed everything up.That ship had sailed the moment she’d said “I do” to the man of her dreams.His eyes were narrowed, his mouth set in that stubborn line she’d grown accustomed to seeing all her life when he’d caught her up to mischief.There was no escaping the fact that he was going to make sure this secret came to light.Today.
“Come on,” Gabe murmured, straightening up and brushing a hand over his disheveled hair.“Let’s just get it over with.”
Nica swallowed hard.“I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
Her husband—even after three months, she still wasn’t entirely used to the word—glanced down at her with a reassuring smile.“You don’t have to be.I’m right here.We’re doing this together.”He shrugged.“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“You have met my brothers, right?”Her stomach felt as though a hundred butterflies were trying to escape at once.Taking a deep breath, she led him across the patio, to where the rest of the family was scattered into several sitting areas, some lounging in folding chairs, others comfortably sitting on the overstuffed patio set near the unlit fire pit.Laughter bubbled up as someone made a joke, and she caught sight of Rafe, still glaring from a distance.The moment their eyes met, his lips pressed into a thin line, and he jerked his head toward the corner of the patio where her mother was putting a bowl of potato salad on the huge table.
Dad was flipping ribs on the grill, but her momma was focused on him, her bright smile wide as she leaned in to say something.Nica sighed when she saw the way her momma looked at her dad, like he hung the moon and the stars, and he’d done it just for her.This was what Nica wanted for her and Gabe, to have the kind of love that would last through everything, all the good, all the bad, and they’d handle whatever hit them together.She shook her head.Looked like they were already dealing with one of the bad stretches with this stranger trying to cause Gabe trouble, bringing up his past in California.
Nica’s heart clenched.This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.Her mother, with her dreams of Nica in a fancy white dress, her father standing tall, proud, and a little teary-eyed as he walked her down the aisle.Nica had always imagined that moment, too—the one where everything was perfect.
Instead, she’d eloped, knowing and not caring that it would break her mother’s heart, at least during the spontaneity of the moment.Now, she was about to break that news to the two people who had hoped and dreamed and planned for that special moment from the time she was a little girl in ponytails.And she’d stolen that dream from them.
Gabe placed a hand on her lower back and gave her a little nudge forward.“Let’s go,” he said softly, his voice a grounding presence.
They moved toward her parents, and Nica’s feet felt like lead, each step heavier than the last.She could already feel the weight of her mother’s impending disappointment in her chest.She blinked back tears, refusing to let them fall.She didn’t have the right to cry, not when she was the one responsible for keeping their marriage secret.That decision was all on her.
Dad spotted them first and raised an eyebrow at them approaching together, but he didn’t say anything.Momma looked up, a bright smile blooming across her face as she took in Nica and Gabe.There was a question in her gaze, and Nica knew she’d have to answer it and so many more.
“About time you showed up,” she said, clapping her hands together.“Dinner’s almost ready.Ribs are on point, if I do say so myself.Then again, when has your dad ever messed up the ribs?Just a few more minutes, and we’ll dig in.You’re gonna love it.”
Nica nodded, feeling her throat tighten.She could feel Gabe’s presence beside her, solid and reassuring, but her heart was still racing.“Momma, Dad,” she began, but the words caught in her throat.
Douglas glanced over at her, a hint of curiosity in his gaze, but he didn’t press.He was always patient with her, always giving her the space to find her own way.It was one of the things she loved about him.He was the perfect father, and she hated more than anything that she was about to disappoint him.
Gabe cleared his throat.“Actually, there’s something we’d like to talk with you about.”
Ms.Patti’s eyebrows lifted, and she glanced between the two of them, her expression softening.“What is it, darling?You two look like you’re about to tell us some bad news.”
Nica tried to swallow past the lump in her throat.“We, uh…I’m not exactly sure how to say this,” she muttered, glancing down at the ground, avoiding her mother’s eyes.His hand brushing hers, Gabe shot her a look of silent encouragement.
Douglas set down the tongs he’d been holding and wiped his hands on his apron, finally noticing the shift in the air.He looked between the two of them, his brow furrowing.“What’s going on?”
There was no more avoiding it.No more stalling.Nica’s pulse quickened as she realized there would never be a good time to share this news.But she’d come this far, and there was no turning back.
