Page 76 of Unmasked

Finally, Conrad cleared his throat. “Mostly, I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your help with everything. Celia told me everything, and I… I never should have trusted Montgomery. I thought he was best for Everleigh, but I was wrong.

“You’re the only man she’s ever wanted, and things would have turned out so much different had you not been there for her.” He gave a little shake of his head. “You have always taken care of her, and I know you're the kind of man she needs. I just wanted you to know that you have my blessing to marry Everleigh if that’s what you want.”

To hear Conrad say that meant the world to Knox. “She’s all I’ve ever wanted,” he admitted softly.

He placed his hands on the armrests of the chair and levered to his feet, and Conrad followed suit. The older man extended a hand, and Knox accepted it with a firm shake. “I’d be proud to call you my son.”

A strange sensation zinged through Knox’s chest. “Thank you, sir.”

He headed back to Everleigh to tell her the news, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. She sat on the edge of the bed, and her head snapped his way as he entered and closed the door behind him. “Is everything okay? What was that about?”

He couldn’t help but smile as he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “Your father just wanted to give me his blessing.”

Everleigh blinked, then a smile spread over her face. “Really?”

“Really.” He framed her face with one hand and kissed her slow and sweet. “Which, unless you have any objections, I plan to do as soon as possible.”

“Probably a good idea.” Her smile grew as she placed a hand on her stomach.

His breath hitched. “You sure?”

Happy tears welled in her eyes as she stared up at him and nodded. His heart swelled and cracked wide open, so full of love and gratefulness that he’d been awarded this second chance. Heedless of his injuries, he hauled her close and crushed her against him. “God, Everleigh… You’ve made me the happiest man in the whole world.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist, head pressed to his chest. “I love you.”

Sliding one hand into her hair, he tipped her face up to his. “This time, it’s forever.”

Everleigh smiled. “Forever.”

CHAPTER

FORTY-SEVEN

Everleigh's mother straightened her veil, then adjusted the laces that ran up her back. “You look beautiful,” she said.

“Thanks.” Everleigh grinned broadly, unable to contain her happiness. After everything that had happened recently, she felt both terribly nervous and excited. Knox and Everleigh had decided to keep things small, and though she sensed her mother was a little disappointed, she had offered to host the wedding in the backyard. It seemed appropriate somehow, breaching the distance between Everleigh's house and Knox’s.

Her mother stepped back and examined her with a critical eye, fussing with the lacy material that fell in soft waves around Everleigh's legs. “Good thing you're doing this now. Much longer and you wouldn't fit into your dress.”

Everleigh snapped her head her mother’s way, feeling her mouth drop open in shock. “What?”

Her mother rolled her eyes. “Don't give me that. How far along are you?”

“About twelve weeks,” Everleigh admitted, still a little rattled that her mother had figured out she was pregnant. “How did you know?”

Her mother lifted a brow. “Please. I'm your mother. This”—she waved a hand Everleigh's way—“is way more than just a wedding glow.”

“Does Dad know?”

“Good Lord, of course not.” Her mother's eyes widened. “Just don't forget to stop by in a few weeks to give us the good news. I'll pretend to be surprised.”

Everleigh couldn't help the shocked laugh that fell from her lips. Her mother had never spoken so frankly before. She couldn't help but wonder how differently her life would have turned out if they had talked like this when she was younger. She shook the thought away. It didn't matter. She was exactly where she was supposed to be: ready to walk down the aisle to meet her best friend and the love of her life.

Her mother stepped forward and took Everleigh's hands in hers. “I'm so happy for you. I never should have pushed you to marry… last time.” She faltered a little, trying to avoid saying Fletcher’s name.

“I understand,” Everleigh said softly. “You were just trying to protect me. You did what you thought was right.”

Tears welled in her mother's eyes. “If I'd only known...”