“He can’t say he had no clue Brinley was his. The investigator has pictures dating back to even before Brinley was born.” Tessa leans forward to lay a hand on top of mine. “That’s a pretty big win, Whitney.”
I let my eyes close for a brief moment, grip tightening on Brinley. A win. That’s what I’ve needed. This momentary dip of relief isexactlywhat I needed. When I open them again and find Tessa’s bright green eyes, my own begin to water. I give her hand a squeeze. “Thank you,” I say.
She nods, a small sad smile on her mouth. She pulls away, before gathering all of her belongings. We make plans to reconvene later, and then she’s on her way. I watch, and the second her car is peeling out of the driveway, I take Brinley to the kitchen. Wyatt is there, leaning against one of the countertops, his truck keys dangling between his hands.
“How much did you hear?” I ask as Brinley squeals and reaches for Wyatt. I hand her over as he moves towards us.
“All of it.” he replies.
“We could have walked.” I shoot a pointed glance at his keys.
He sighs in return, clearly not in the mood to pick a fight. “It’s dark. Now let’s go.” He motions with his head towards the door. “Brinley’s up past her bedtime and you need to eat something other than cheese puffs.”
When we settle into the truck and make it quickly down the road to the ranch, he shoves the truck into park. Before I can open my door and get out, his hand lands on my thigh. “We have family dinner tomorrow. We’ll announce our engagement, then.”
Chapter Twenty-One
WYATT
Wesley
Why did mom just tell me we’re having dinner at your house tonight?
Because we are.
Haden
And why was I invited?
Because even though we hate you, you’re family.
Haden
You’re so warm and fuzzy.
Wesley
…And you’re hosting?
Wesley
Are you feeling okay? When was the last time you saw Doc and got your head checked?
Haha. Very funny. 5 o’clock sharp, assholes.
Iclose out the group chat with Haden and Wyatt, shoving my phone back into my pocket when a familiar truck pulls up the road. Whitney and I will do our best to sell this marriage idea to everybody. My mom nearly keeled over with happiness when I suggested a full-blown family dinner. But my self-control snapped the other day, and I figured it was best to get the announcement over with before I do anything else stupid.
Like kiss her. Oractuallyspank her. Or murder a man named Andrew for her after finding out he’s been having someone follow her.
I watch as Haden hops out of his truck, his body clad in his usual work jeans and boots. He reaches into the car and grabs his cowboy hat, plunking it on his head. There’s been a change in him this past year. He’s still the same shit-head he’s always been, but he’s more… reliable. Always showing up on time, and from what I’ve heard, not frequenting Buddies’ bar nearly as much. We took a small reprieve after the wedding, but it’s back to work full force today.
When Haden reaches my side, he smirks as he brings the back of his hand up to my forehead. I swat it away. “What?” he asks innocently, placing his hands on his hips. “Just make sure you’re not about to keel over.”
“It’sjust a dinner.”
I mean, why is everyone so surprised? It’s not like I’ve never attended family dinners. I mean… okay, I’m not themostpresent. I don’t usually enjoy being aroundeveryone,but at the very least, I attend the ones that consist of just mom and Wesley. Maybe Blake and Elise. And maybe only when my mom pulls out her ‘please’ face and has to bribe me to come.
But still. Just because we never have them here doesn’t mean we need to make it a big deal.
