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“And you’re going to the town dance tonight? How fun!” Paxton said, excitement in her voice.
With a smile, I replied, “I think it will be.”
“What are your plans for after?” Steed asked.
“The dance?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I shrugged. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
He tilted his head and looked at me as if I were lying out of my teeth. “Really?”
Paxton cleared her throat and spoke in a warning tone. “Steed Parker.”
“What? I simply asked what they planned on doing after the dance. Is that a crime?”
I grinned.
Steed sighed. “Honestly son, I was getting worried there for a bit.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I replied, “So was I.”
Paxton walked over to the bar area. “I would offer you a drink, Rip, but you’re driving.”
“Chloe told us you bought the old Durham house.”
“Well, we close on it on Wednesday, so it’s not official yet.”
Paxton and Steed both looked at me with a curious look and said at the same time, “We?”
“Um, ah.” I could tell it was taking everything out of them not to smile.
“You made her a promise once. I see you’re sticking to it,” Steed said. “Risky play on your part, considering she was engaged to doucheballs.”
In an attempt not to laugh, I cleared my throat. “Yes, sir, I am, and yes, it was.”
“Wait, what is going on?” Paxton asked, walking back over and handing Steed a drink.
“You both couldn’t have been more than what, fifteen?”
“Fourteen,” I said.
He nodded and let out a soft laugh. “Right. Fourteen years old.”
“Who was fourteen?” Paxton asked, clearly eager to hear the story.
“Chloe and Rip. They were with me when I stopped by the Durham farm. Chloe was enchanted with the house, so much so that she made a declaration she was going to live in it someday.”
Paxton sighed and placed her hand over her heart. “Oh dear, Rip Myers.”
I could feel my cheeks heating.
“Rip here made her a promise he would buy it for her someday.”
Shaking her head, Paxton leaned closer to me and squeezed my hand. “Rip, you had to put an offer in while she was engaged.”
With a half shrug, I replied, “I would have finally gotten my head out of my ass and fought for her. And maybe the house was going to be a bit of a bribe, if I was being completely honest with myself.”
They both laughed.
“She doesn’t know, does she? That you’re putting the house in both of your names?”
“No, sir. She doesn’t.”
Paxton sniffled, and I watched as she wiped a tear away. “That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
Steed faced his wife, his mouth gaping. “Excuse me? I’ve done some pretty damn romantic things.”
She bit onto her lip. “Of course you have! It’s just, well, Rip is buying our daughter her dream house. That’s pretty big, Steed.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Chloe asked as she walked into the room.
I stood and let my eyes take in every inch of her. “Hey,” I managed.
Steed cleared his throat. “You might want to tone down the look of lust there, Rip. I am still standing right here, and she still is my little girl.”
Chloe’s cheeks turned pink as she walked up to me. She reached up on her toes and kissed me. It was quick, but it was on the lips…in front of her parents.
“Does anyone care I’m right here? Watching all of this? Anyone?” Steed asked.
Paxton and Chloe laughed.
“Of course, Daddy. Here is your kiss.”
After she kissed her father on the cheek, he sent me a glare. “I used to get the first kiss when she walked into the room.”
“I won’t apologize for that,” I stated.
A smile played at the corner of his lips. “You shouldn’t. Now, you two go have fun tonight.”
“Y’all aren’t going?” Chloe asked.
Paxton and Steed followed us as we headed out of the living room and made our way to the front door.
“I think your mother and I are going to enjoy an evening to ourselves.”
Paxton smiled as Steed opened the front door for us.
“Have fun tonight!” Paxton called as we walked down the front porch steps, hand in hand. “Oh, finally they are together,” she added.
Chloe laughed and looked back at her parents. “Mom! I heard you!”
“It’s about time, darn it!” Paxton yelled.
With a shake of her head, Chloe looked up at me. “I have a feeling we’re going to be getting that a lot from folks.”
I opened the truck door and helped her in. “I’m right there with you on that one. Tonight should be interesting.”
Chloe chewed her lip. “Especially since some people will think I’m still engaged to Easton.”
Leaning in, I kissed her. “They won’t after tonight.”
She sighed and leaned back in the seat. “Oh Lord, the prayer chain is gonna be put on high alert.”
I laughed. The ‘prayer chain’ should have been renamed the gossip text. It would most certainly be lighting up tonight after Chloe and I showed up at the dance.
