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When my parents arrived, I introduced them to Knox, Lori, and his brothers. Then we watched the kids as they played a game of charades. Ireland stood in front of the group, helping them pick a card and reminding them of the rules.
Eventually, Mom wanted to see the puppies, and Lori and his brothers went to the food table to eat.
Knox introduced the two puppies with pride in his voice when he described their mother and father and the farm he bought them from. Mom crouched down to see the puppies better, and I knelt beside her.
“These two are too cute.” Ireland had tied large red bows around their necks, and they were doing their best to unravel them. Finally, Comet succeeded and became tangled. I carefully worked the ribbon out from around his belly, set him on his feet, and tied another bow around his neck.
“You bought my girls a puppy,” Dad said to Knox.
He was speaking quietly, and I pretended to be engrossed in Comet and Dash’s antics as they resumed their game of unraveling the ribbon, while I listened for Knox’s response.
Knox cleared his throat. “Well, sir, I hope that they’ll soon be my girls. I know you’ve been the father figure in Addy’s life for a while now, and I don’t want to take away from your role, but I’d like to be one more person in their corner. I want to be the man they can count on.”
Dad was quiet for a few seconds, and I resisted the urge to check his expression. “I think Addy and Sarah will be in good hands with you.”
“Thank you, sir. I look forward to getting to know you and your family more.”
“We’d like that,” Dad said.
“You’re welcome to visit anytime,” Knox said, reminding me of what it felt like when I first met him and his family. Despite how grumpy the Monroes seemed on the outside, they were warm and gooey on the inside, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Maybe we should have more events like this,” Knox said into my ear.
I leaned into his chest. “I thought your family doesn’t like having a lot of people around.”
“This was fun, though.” Maybe it wasn’t that the Monroe brothers didn’t like parties and people, but that it wasn’t with the right people. Each one had to meet someone who could love them for who they were. I was positive there was someone out there for all Knox’s brothers, who would make them see how special this place was.
When the evening wound down, we moved outside for s’mores. We helped the kids with the marshmallows alongside Talon, Heath, Emmett, and Sebastian. When everyone had eaten their fill, they played around the fire, chasing each other, laughing, and giggling. Everyone seemed content to just hang out. Even Gary was talking to some of the parents and seemed to be having a good time.
“Are you up for a walk?” Knox leaned close to ask.
“Don’t we need to stick around?” I asked, looking at everyone having fun.
“My brothers can handle a few kids.” He took my hand and led me away from the crowd of people.
“Where are we walking?”
He shook his head. “I thought we’d head toward the pond.”
“Okay.” He took us up the mountain. He didn’t take the path that would lead to the gazebo in the woods where we’d shared a kiss. It seemed so long ago when he’d asked if it was okay if we dated.
“The lights you hung on the poles create the perfect ambiance.” It was so romantic.
“You like it here?” Knox asked, and suddenly, he seemed nervous.
“You know I love it here.” I wondered what this uncertainty was about.
As we got closer to the pond, there was a rose on a stick in the ground, and another further ahead. “Are these new additions?”
“Mmm,” Knox said. “Talon made them.”
“They’re nice.” But not really related to the holidays. I wondered why he’d chosen roses to line the paths.
As we walked, there was one after the other. As we walked along the edge of the water, there were letters in white lights that spelled out, Will you marry me?
“Knox, what is this?” I asked him, but he’d dropped to his knee in front of me, his hand still holding mine.
My free hand covered my rapidly beating heart.
