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“We’re not getting married, Dad.” Her tone was firm. But the announcement was met with instant protest. Loudly. With curses. And all sorts of threatening looks Ash’s way. It horrified her to realize poor Ash’s safety was guaranteed only because his son was in his arms. His son, who burst into tears from the hostility and tension radiating off her beloved family. Ash started bouncing the boy, one hand patting his back. It was
oddly comforting to her—the calm efficiency of Ash’s actions.
“Stop it.” She’d never lost her temper or dared to raise her voice to her family. But now, well, they’d have to accept her decision because it was her decision. “Whether or not you like this doesn’t matter. This is between Ash and me. I love how much you all love me. But I know what’s best for me. I won’t settle in my marriage—I can’t. And if you do or say anything to bully Ash, I will never forgive you. Ever. Understood?” She stared each of her brothers down. “I mean it.”
One by one their gazes fell away, the tension in the air dropping a few notches. It was something. She meant what she’d said and they knew it.
But the sadness on her father’s face... Her heart clamped down hard and tore wide, sharp and jagged enough to knock the air from her lungs. She was the cause of that. “I’m sorry, Dad.” It hurt to say the words.
He cleared his throat. “If this is what you and Ash feel is best, I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”
Ryder made a sound that resembled a snort but didn’t say a word.
“No, now, I mean it,” her father said, patting her cheek. “I trust you, girl. Do what’s in your heart.”
Her eyes were burning and her throat was too tight to say a word, so she nodded.
“I expect we’ll be seeing a lot of you.” Her father turned to Ash then, avoiding his gaze to smile at Curtis. “This your boy? He’s a handsome fella.”
“Thank you.” Ash didn’t look happy. At all. And it worried her. If her family learned he was willing to propose... He was right. They’d side with him. And then what? She needed her family on her side—the right side—not the side where she married a man who didn’t love her. “And this is my mother and my mother-in-law. They’ll be moving here with me.”
Another new piece of information. Not that it mattered. She’d set everyone straight.
Renata was vaguely aware of the introductions. Her father was, as always, gracious and charming. If he was struggling to accept her life-altering news, there was no evidence of it. Instead, he escorted Ash and his family back to the desk to help them check in. Even though she felt Ash’s gaze on her, she avoided his eyes.
“I don’t keep things from Josie,” Hunter said, hugging her.
“No, I’d never ask that of you. But I’d appreciate it if we could keep it in the family—for now.” She shrugged.
“Considering where I found out, don’t you think that’s a little unlikely?” Fisher asked. “She didn’t come straight out with it, mind you. But there was no misunderstanding what her meaning was. In the middle of Pop’s, too.”
Which was disheartening. Since she’d found out she was pregnant, she’d had no control. From her body to her news, everyone seemed one step in front of her. First Ash. Then her family. Now all of Stonewall Crossing? For the first time in her life, she seriously considered hiding. If she didn’t have the Gingerbread Festival, Christmas parades and every other holiday event to direct—she’d head for her cousin’s place in West Texas. Peace, quiet and solitude.
“You two okay?” Hunter asked, a hand on both her and Fisher’s shoulders, ever the big brother. “I haven’t made you guys hug it out in years, but I will if I need to.”
Fisher shook his head. “Nope. All good.” He spun on his heel and went back into the kitchen.
That hurt. Until now, Fisher had been her go-to sibling. But, until now, she’d never kept secrets from him, and he was hurt.
“He’s not happy,” Ryder muttered.
“He’ll get over it.” Hunter sighed. “He’s not one to hold a grudge.”
“Let’s hope not. Talk about awkward family dinners.” Ryder laughed.
“You go on.” She managed a smile. “I need a minute.” She made it to the bathroom before she burst into tears, but it was close.
* * *
Ash did his best to smooth the single thick lock of black hair that crowned the top of his son’s head. No luck. It bounced back, curling up like a curlicue antenna. Having his boy back with him was sheer heaven. “Seems to get bigger every day.” He offered Curtis another block to stack.
Curtis smiled, leaning forward to grab his hands. “Daddy kiss.”
Ash nodded, pulling his son close. “Missed you, too.” He kissed his cheek.
Curtis nodded back, clapping his hands.
“He’s missed you,” his mother said, folding clothes and packing them away in the chest of drawers. “Any luck finding a house? He’ll need room before you know it.”
