Page 126 of Unscripted with Mila

“Charmer.”

He winked and smiled toward Emmy, who brought us our dinners. At our ages, we needed all the help we could get, and once we sat down, we rarely moved. She slid the plates onto the table in front of us. Bentley followed her, and he sat beside me with his own plate.

“Go, eat with your family,” I protested.

He met my eyes, shaking his head. “You are my family.”

“Bentley.”

“Look, I had to pull rank to get to sit with you. Aiden and Mad Dog are still pouting. Let me enjoy my victory. They get coffee and dessert with you.”

I laughed, patting his hand. “Fine.”

I glanced over at Bentley’s family. His daughter, Addison, and her husband, Brayden, sat with a child on each lap, making sure they ate, while picking at their own meals. Bentley’s other daughter, Chloe, was curled up on the sofa, her husband beside her. They were sharing a plate, him feeding her as she chatted to her mom and held the small rescue dog that went everywhere with her.

“Look at them. Isn’t that lovely,” I murmured.

Bentley chuckled. “Newlyweds still.”

“Since you thought she’d never get married, I love seeing her so happy.”

He nodded around a mouthful. “Samuel is a great guy. He gets her. Of course, the fact that they’re both vets is a big help. They work well together.” His voice softened. “And he treats her the way she deserves to be treated.”

“The farm going well?” Jordan asked, referring to the animal rescue shelter Chloe opened.

Bentley smiled. “Very well. Their program is thriving. Samuel moved his practice onto the farm, and they are flourishing. They took on six new kids this past spring.”

Chloe and her husband brought in foster kids who were aging out of the system. Gave them jobs, a place to live and belong. Some stayed, some left, and there were always new faces, but it gave the kids a solid starting point. All the BAM men had thrown in their support when she decided to open it, Reid especially. Anything to do with kids needing help got him involved. He and Becca often went to BC with Emmy and Bentley to visit the farm and help out.

“You must be so proud,” I observed.

“I’m proud of all of them,” he replied, his voice warm with affection. “They have the best of Emmy and me in them.”

I squeezed his hand. “Thomas looks good. It’s lovely to see him here.”

“He does. Emmy is thrilled to have him home. And, of course, Natalie. They’re rarely around.” He leaned my way. “But we should see them more. Natalie is pregnant. So instead of skipping around the world saving whales, they’re going to have a permanent base in BC. I bought them a house.”

I patted his arm. “That is wonderful news. The man who insisted he would never find a woman who understood him and settle down has changed.”

Bentley laughed. “My stubborn son, yes. I’ll never forget the day he called to tell me about the volunteer who informed him he was a stuffed shirt who liked to hear himself talk too much. I knew right then that girl was going to be important. He complained about her for weeks, and then suddenly, she was perfect.” He looked at his son fondly. “I think he still thinks she is.”

“Like you think about Emmy.”

Everything about him softened at the mention of his beloved wife. The sweet girl who’d brought him out of his shell and taught him what was really important in life. “She is pretty perfect.”

“Perfect for you.”

His smile said it all.

Maddox laughed at something Brayden said, clapping him on the shoulder. He leaned down, taking their granddaughter and lifting her high. She saw Bentley and waved, calling his name. “Grampa! Come save me. PopPop is eating me!”

Bentley chuckled and excused himself. He and Maddox doted on the grandchildren they shared. Addi and Brayden had known each other their entire lives, and it surprised no one when that turned into love, forever tying the families together. Bentley went over, picking up Ella and giving her a raspberry. Her sister, Skylar, watched, smiling and staying close to her mom. She was the shyer of the two, preferring to stay within her family circle. Addi and Bray always made sure to sit between the two families so the kids got both sets of grandparents close.

I smiled as I watched Shelby, Maddox and Dee’s daughter. She was always quiet, her head in the clouds or a sketchbook. She’d been busy today, sketching everything and everybody. I knew she would finish the drawings in more detail later, and everyone would be given copies as gifts. Her husband sat close to her, watching with an indulgent smile. Simon owned an art gallery and had fallen in love with Shelby quickly. It took him a long time to convince her to give him a chance, but once she did, they moved fast. They were married and settled in Toronto. She painted and sketched and helped him run his successful gallery. She built up her reputation and was a sought-after artist. They fit each other perfectly, and Maddox often stated she couldn’t have a better partner.

Bentley bent down and spoke to Emmy, and Reid took full advantage, sliding onto the vacant chair.

“Finally,” he groused. “The bastards didn’t even include me in the challenge.”