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She giggles and gives me a playful slap on my bare ass.
“You’re awful hitty today.”
“Hitty isn’t a word.”
“Well, you are. Does this mean you’re ready for the whips and chains?” I tease, knowing she isn’t. And I’m not either. Tying each other up and using toys is one thing. I can’t see myself using a flogger against her skin.
“Cash!” she admonishes. “Absolutely not.”
“I’m just teasing. How much longer do you need? Want me to start loading the car after I get dressed?”
“Sure. I need ten minutes. Fifteen tops.”
“Thirty it is.”
She shoots me a mock glare before I leave her to finish getting ready.
I throw on a pair of jeans and a dark green Henley shirt, knowing already what she picked out to wear because she’s fretted about it all week. Mom always likes to get a big family picture during Thanksgiving so she can use it on her Christmas card and Hadley mentioned possibly getting one as well.
The thought of us having a family picture together makes me think I should move up the timeline on that proposal Robert was asking me about.
The ring has been hiding in my locked desk drawer at work for two weeks now but I haven’t decided the right time to give it to her. Or how. I want it to be special, but I also just want to ask her so she finally has my ring on her finger.
Quick decision made, I pop my head into the bathroom. “I forgot something at the office. I’ll grab it quick and be back in fifteen minutes.”
“We can stop along the way.”
“Wrong direction, babe. I’ll be right back.”
“Oh, okay.”
I give her a kiss and tell Robert I’ll be back soon then climb in my pickup and make the short trip to the office.
Maybe we’ll have something else to be thankful for today.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Cash
“All right, everyone, gather around the big tree. Picture time.”
A lot of the men groan but I hop up, anxious to get to this portion of the day.
Weston agreed to take our big family picture. Brooklyn argued that he needed to be in it but he told her next year, and I think we all relaxed a little when we avoided that issue. It’s not that we don’t like the guy, but being in a family picture is kind of a big deal. At least, that’s what Mom says.
She was upset for a bit, but Hadley spoke with her and whatever she said, she seemed to understand.
There are a lot more people in the picture this year. Mom insisted Dorothy, Trotter, Logan, and Robert were included and of course, Hadley and Brooklyn. Our family grew by six overnight. All because the woman of my dreams walked back into my life.
After everyone gets in their places, I hand Weston my phone to use for the picture and take my place next to Hadley. I drape an arm around her waist and tuck her in close.
Weston takes several pictures and when Mom feels like she’s gotten all she needs, and then some, he lowers the phone.
“Wait a second, Weston. One more, okay?”
Everyone groans and then gasps when they see me drop to one knee. Hadley, who was looking at Brooklyn looks around to see what everyone is gasping for.
When she turns my way and sees me on one knee holding up a ring box, her hands fly up to cover her mouth and tears immediately flood her eyes.
