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Heath cleared his throat. “Wow. I wasn’t really expecting that bit of news.” His voice wobbled with surprise.
“Are you surprised?” Nolan asked.
“I suppose I am,” Heath answered. “It wasn’t that long ago that you were the guy running all over the world. It’s a big change.”
Nolan eyed Heath. “Love has changed me. Chelsea has changed me. I don’t need the things I used to chase. All I care about is our relationship.” He turned back to Chelsea. “All I need is you.”
“That’s so sweet, babe,” Chelsea said. “Really. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” Nolan replied, then kissed her on the forehead.
Ruby felt as though her heart was going to pound right out of her chest and not in a good way. She couldn’t read Heath’s reaction at all and she worried that this might upset him. After all, his war had been waged against the Grandin family, and now his twin brother was not only married to a Grandin, he was ready to start having children with one.
“What are you thinking?” Nolan asked Heath.
“Honestly?” Heath let a breathy laugh escape his lips. “I’m happy. I love the thought of you and Chelsea becoming parents. I love the idea of being an uncle, and especially since you’re going to stay in Royal, where I get to be a part of it. I never thought this day would come, Nolan.”
Heath’s voice was truly breaking with a mix of elation and raw emotion. He reached for his brother and the two embraced. Ruby looked over at Chelsea through watery eyes, noticing that Chelsea was crying, too. It was then that Ruby realized exactly how much of Heath’s crusade had been about nothing more than needing the love of family. Who could possibly fault him for that? Surely not Ruby. She needed it, too.
“You two are going to ruin my mascara,” Chelsea said, wiping the tears away.
Nolan and Heath stepped out of their hug, but held strong eye contact for a few moments. It was a powerful image—two identical men having a conversation only they could have, without words. “I love you,” Heath said. “I’m so glad you’re back in my life.”
“It’s good to be back. I love you, too,” Nolan replied.
Ruby hadn’t realized until right then that she’d been holding her breath. How could so much healing possibly be packed into such a short amount of time? She wasn’t sure, but she was thankful she’d been there to see it.
“Okay, then.” Nolan looked at Ruby and smiled, then turned back to Chelsea. “I think we could all use a glass of wine.”
“Great idea. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes, and then we can sit down and talk and eat and enjoy,” Chelsea said.
“Did you bring the riding center plans?” Nolan asked Heath.
“I didn’t. The second round is almost ready. I didn’t want to show you plans that would change in a few days.”
“Okay. Let’s get together when you have them,” Nolan replied.
Chelsea turned to Ruby. “Want to help me get the last few things ready?”
“Absolutely.” Ruby followed Chelsea into the kitchen while Heath and Nolan wandered over to a tall wine rack in the corner of the apartment.
“Do you want to go ahead and toss the salad?” Chelsea asked. “Everything’s ready to go in that big bowl on the island and the dressing is in the fridge door.”
“Sure thing.” Ruby followed Chelsea’s directive. “That was pretty intense,” she said as she removed the top from the dressing and lightly drizzled it on the greens.
“It was. But it’s been a long time coming. They’ve been getting closer since Nolan returned to Royal, but some scars run pretty deep. I’m not entirely sure either of them truly trusted each other. I think it has helped that Heath seems to have dropped his crusade against my family and that Nolan is going to help with Ashley’s foundation.”
Ruby tossed the salad, feeling fortunate that she’d witnessed that momentous exchange between the brothers. It was one more positive note in the case she was making for herself, one that said she and Heath Thurston belonged together.
Dinner was amazing, even though Chelsea hadn’t prepared it. She admitted that she wasn’t much of a cook, but she’d ordered a heat-and-eat meal from a local chef that included a hearty pasta dish with braised pork, tomato, fresh herbs and lots of Parmesan. It was flat-out delicious. Even so, the real highlight was the four of them at that tiny dining table, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking wine. There was no negativity or acrimony, only genuine affection and good feelings. They were making memories, and for the first time in a long time, they were happy ones.
Heath had never imagined such a scene would be possible with a member of the Grandin family, but clearly it was. He was also now convinced that his brother had absolutely made the right decision in marrying Chelsea. They were perfect for each other, which made Heath realize that there was another perfect fit in the room—he and Ruby. How had she so effortlessly folded herself into his life? How had they become so impossibly close in such a short amount of time? He wasn’t sure of any of the answers. He only knew that he considered himself lucky. Very, very lucky.
After dinner, Heath and Nolan volunteered for cleanup duty while Chelsea and Ruby hung out in the living room and talked about decor choices for Nolan and Chelsea’s new house.
“Fatherhood. It’s a big step,” Heath said to Nolan, taking a clean plate from him to dry. “I’m proud of you.”
Nolan glanced at him and smiled. “Thanks. I guess it just feels like the most natural thing in the world. And that’s something I never imagined myself saying.”
