“What brings you to Tennessee?” Wayne asks as he adjusts the Stetson on his head.
“I came here to ask for your blessing to marry your daughter,” I start, thankful that he remains silent and allows me to add, “but I think more than that I need you to understand why I want,need,to marry her.”
“Make it good, son. She’s the only little girl I’ve got.” There’s a hint of amusement in his tone, like he’s not at all surprised that I’ve landed on his doorstep.
“I love your daughter. She’s amazing, and her carrying our baby is the greatest blessing of my life.” Stopping, I clear my throat, ducking my head for a moment before meeting his gaze. “If we’d been on a different timeline, I have no doubt I’d still be here asking if you’d give me your blessing.”
“That right?”
Meeting Indie had changed me on a cellular level; it wasn’t even a question.
“Yes, sir,” I confirm because it’s the truth. “We agreed that she’d move to Wintervale because her best friend is there and my family. We had plans to pack up her apartment this weekend.” His eyes darken as he stares at me, his arms crossing over his barrel chest. “She didn’t wait, fainted, and was rushed to the hospital.”
“Son of a gun.”
“She’s all right. The baby’s all right. But—” It takes me two tries to force back the lump of emotion in my throat, before I can trust myself to speak. “I dropped everything. My brother and cousin and his boyfriend didn’t hesitate either. We drove out there and they packed up the rest of her apartment while I stayed with her in the hospital.”
“How are you holding up, son?”
“Better now that she’s settled,” I admit and he dips his head in understanding, “but I realized that I can’t wait to marry her. It’s not just about the baby—it’sher.I swear I couldn’t take a full breath until I saw with my own eyes that she was all right. I didn’t mean to fall in love with her so fast but she made it impossible. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I just want the chance to show her that I can be that for her too.”
“Guess that means I should start looking at flights then,” he says, his expression wistful as he looks out over the field before us.
“Sir?”
Extending his hand, he waits for me to clasp it before his other hand lands on my shoulder. “Be good to my daughter, and make sure she’s good to you in return. Marriage is hard. Babies are hard. And you’re about to do both at once.” He smiles. “Remember this feeling right now, the one where you think she hung the moon because she’ll be goin’ through it, doubting everything and everyone, especially herself.”
“I won’t let her do it alone,” I tell him, my voice filled with conviction.
“It’s just as important that you don’t either. Marriage isn’t fifty-fifty. You’ll carry her and she’ll carry you—just don’t be too proud to let her know you need her. She’s strong and if you’re in it together, there’s nothing you won’t be able to see to the other side.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Wayne is fine,” he says as he steers us back toward the house. “Let Dottie feed you before you need to get back to Montana. And uh, best let Indie tell her mama about her trip to the hospital if that’s what she wants.”
“I appreciate it. I was too nervous to eat.”
“Well, Dottie is no doubt whipping up enough food to feed the town.”
“Just like being at home,” I muse and he chuckles.
“Looks like you’ll fit in just fine then.”
Walking in silence, I smile, because our future was bright but it’s damn near blinding now and all I want to do is start living it.
12
INDIE
The entire day was a whirlwind and even though I’m positive Reid and Pen both have somewhere to be, they haven’t left my side. Harlan and Lake came to help move boxes and furniture, Jesse brought dinner, and even Wren’s boyfriend, Merrick, stopped by with flowers from him and Wren and a hefty gift card to the Wintervale Salon & Spa.
The only thing missing was Beau.
That and I talked to Merrick briefly about a job. And while he assured me he could get me in part-time, it would be a while until something full-time opened up.
Looks like I’m still marrying Beau.
God, in another life I’d marry him in a heartbeat. I just don’t want to marry him because Ihaveto.
