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Duke took a steadying breath. I had never seen the man so nervous, and a fresh wave of love and affection rolled over me.
I placed a hand on his bearded cheek. “It’s going to be perfect. Thank you for doing this.”
A low grumble sounded in the back of Duke’s throat as he nodded before pushing open the bedroom door.
My mouth dropped open, and my eyes went wide as I took in the nursery. The late-afternoon sun slanted through theplantation-style shutters, flooding the space with soft, ethereal light. Duke stepped inside our baby’s nursery and ran his hands down his jeans. “I, um...” He cleared his throat. “I hope it’s everything you dreamed of.”
My nose burned as I struggled to find the words. Against one wall a wooden dresser that appeared handmade and solid also had a changing pad on top. A matching highboy-style dresser stood against the far wall. A gorgeous crib was in front of the most stunning mural I had ever seen. It was moody and slightly masculine while being light and airy. Absolute perfection.
“Annie painted the mural.”
“How did you, when did she . . .”
“Her flexible schedule helped. I mostly snuck her in while you were working at the Sugar Bowl.”
Every detail, from the gliding chair and matching footrest to the oversize yarn blanket draped across it, was as if it were plucked from my imagination. “Okay, Duke... how did you?—”
My fingertips came to my lips as I continued to take in the absolute perfection of the nursery.
Duke stuffed his hands into the front pocket of his jeans and shrugged. “I found your Pinterest page.”
My eyes searched his as a soft blush stained his cheeks.
“I wanted this to be a space where you felt safe, where our baby and you—all of us—could spend time together. Where he knows, no matter what, he is loved for exactly who he is.”
Tears tumbled over my lashes and streaked down my cheeks as I launched myself at Duke. This man, this beautiful, gorgeous, brooding, hulking beast of a man had the kindest, sweetest heart I had ever known. He kept that heart so guarded, but I was the lucky one. He had shown it to me.
“Thank you. It’s absolutely perfect.”
His hand ran up my spine and pulled me closer despite the belly that separated us. “Well, don’t let it ruin your makeup,because I’m taking you out tonight.” He glanced at his watch. “And we don’t have time for you to fuss over your face again.” He ran one knuckle down my cheek to wipe away the tears. “Besides, you know I think you’re gorgeous just as you are.”
I sniffed and smiled up at him, swallowing down the knot of emotions in my throat. “I’ll be ready in two minutes, I promise.” I gave him one last squeeze before resting my head on his shoulder and taking in our baby’s nursery one more time before hurrying to get ready for our date.
Two minutes was actually twenty minutes, but Duke didn’t give me too much grief about it. There would always be something about the Grudge that just felt like a warm hug. Maybe it was the way old country music crooned out of the jukebox or the way your fingers could glide over the bumps and ridges of the timeworn oak bar top. Despite its outdated, dim lighting and neon beer signs, it was cute. Cozy even.
I am definitely nesting if I think the Grudge is cute and cozy.
As it always did since starting a relationship with Duke, walking into the Grudge also came with its own share of anxiety. Mostly we had claimed our spot in the middle of the bar mixed with tourists who didn’t know about the feud that defined our very town.
Shoulders back and chin held high, I laced my fingers with Duke’s and walked toward an open table near the center of the room. His hand gently tugged mine, and when I looked at him, he gave me a subtle shake of his head before guiding me toward the east side of the bar. I followed with tentative steps. He was willingly taking up residence in enemy territory.
I sat down and looked at him with wide eyes. “Are you sure?”
He plucked a plastic menu off the table—“Never been so sure about anything in my life”—and shot me a wink.
I didn’t know if he was talking about his choice in seats or me, but I didn’t care. I grinned at him and settled back into my seat.
Soon a waitress scurried over, unable to hide the look of surprise as her eyes danced between us. “Hey, folks, what can I get you?”
Duke gestured toward me. “Ladies first.”
Despite the blush creeping up my neck and cheeks, I quickly scanned the menu, but opted for my usual. “Smash burger, extra cheese, extra bacon. Lettuce and tomato, please.”
“Hmm.” Duke grunted as though he was surprised by my order, when in fact I had ordered some version of a bacon cheeseburger nearly every time we went out to eat in the past three months. I had even conned him into throwing some patties on the grill in the snow.
“I think I’ll have the same.” He handed the server our menus and sat back in his chair.
It was quiet for a Tuesday evening, but the tourist season had already started amping up, with fresh faces sprinkled in among the familiar ones. His fingers tapped along to the music from the jukebox, and he seemed not at all affected by our position in the room. Duke was jovial, lighthearted even, and it helped me relax into my own seat.
