Page 34 of Flawless

I was getting ahead of myself, but Cam made it hard not to.

He wrapped his arm around me, tugging me against his side as he kissed the top of my head. “I’m glad.” He pointed at Cam. “This girl means a lot to me, so I’m putting you on warning now. You hurt her and you’ll have to deal with me.”

The long history and affection between the two men was evident when Cam raised his hands, with a sparkle in his eye and said, “Duly noted, Captain.”

Apparently, Austin had been the captain of their high school football team and Cam still liked to tease him with the old moniker sometimes.

“Let me show you around the property before we go inside and meet everyone,” Eden said, linking her arm through mine. “We need a little girl time before everyone else tries to monopolize you.”

“Hey,” Cam said, frowning at his little sister. “She came here to spend the weekend with me. You get dibs when she’s in Nashville.”

“Oh, be quiet, you big baby,” Eden said, leading me in the opposite direction. “We won’t be long.”

“Your family’s ranch is beautiful,” I said, grateful I’d worn flats to navigate the bumpy ground. “You guys were so lucky to grow up in a place like this.”

There was a flash of sympathy in Eden’s eyes before she schooled her expression and said, “We really were. There’s nothing like coming home again.” She led me to a horse corral behind a red barn where a few horses were grazing. “I’m so excited, Austin bought this land by the lake we used to love going to as teenagers. We’re going to build a place there next year, so the plan is to fly in on weekends, when our schedules allow. That means I’ll get to spend a lot more time with my family.”

“That’s awesome.” I’d always envied people who had families like theirs. Now that Cam and I were a couple, maybe I could one day be a part of it too. “Have you and Austin talked about making things official?” I knew how committed they were to each other, but Austin had mentioned they wanted kids, so I assumed marriage was in their future.

“We talk about it all the time,” she admitted. “Not sure when he’ll pop the question. No hurry, but whenever he does, the answer will be a big fat yes!”

I giggled. “I’m glad. Austin’s one of the best guys I’ve ever known.”

“He thinks the world of you,” she said. “We both do, you know that.” She hooked her cowboy boot over the lower fence rail and smiled. “To say that we’re thrilled about you and my brother dating would be an understatement.”

“Thanks.” I shoulder-bumped her. “That means a lot.”

In fact, having Cam’s family’s approval meant everything to me.

“So, things are going well?” She tried to sound casual, but I wasn’t buying it.

I laughed. “Better than I could have imagined.” I had to tell someone, so I blurted, “Last night he told me he loved me. No one has ever said that to me before.”

Eden gasped before throwing her arms around me. “Ohmigod, things are moving fast! Cam doesn’t just throw that word around.” She held me at arm’s length, looking serious. “Wait, you feel the same way, right?”

I nodded, feeling the hot sting of tears burn my eyes. “One hundred percent.”

“This is amazing.” She giggled. “When I suggested Cam agree to a one-night stand with you, I never imagined it could turn into something serious.”

I blushed, dropping my face into my hands. “I still can’t believe I propositioned him like that. I don’t know what came over me. I just saw him and couldn’t help myself.”

It’s like I knew he was meant to be mine.

“I don’t think he minded.” Eden looked over her shoulder. “Uh oh, looks like Mama’s getting impatient. She couldn’t wait to meet you.”

I turned around to see a petite gray-haired lady with soft curls and glasses coming towards us. She was wearing an apron over a long floral dress with pink rubber boots. She was adorable, looking like every sweet-granny stereotype I’d ever seen.

“Ohmigod, she’s so cute,” I whispered to Eden.

Eden laughed. “She really is. And she’s as nice as she is cute, I promise.”

“I thought my daughter was going to keep you out here all day,” she said, pulling me into a hug even before I could offer my hand.

“Mama,” Eden said, laughing. “This is Rylee Clark, as if you didn’t know. Rylee, my mama, Marilyn Reynolds, but everyone calls her Mari.”

“It’s lovely to meet you Mrs. Reynolds,” I said smiling, when she finally released me.

“You call me Mari,” she insisted, side-eyeing her daughter. “And you can go on in the house and check on things in the oven for me, if you don’t mind?”