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Peggy smiled.“Duty calls.I’m glad you stopped in, though.It was nice seeing you again, Scar.And meeting you, Colt.I wish you two all the happiness in the world.”Then she added, “And, hey, I know you can cook.”She turned to Colt.“But don’t be strangers, okay?I’m not getting any younger, you know?”
I struggled to get up then just so I could give her a hug.“Peggy, you’re not going anywhere,” I said to her as my arms were wrapped around her.She was like the mother I never had and I’d missed her far more than I cared to admit since I left.I didn’t even know it until I saw her again, but I was not going to go this long without seeing her ever again.
“We’ll come back,” Colt promised, as I sat back down.
“Yes, and we’ll bring our bundle of joy when he or she is born,” I put in.
Peggy laughed.“You’re going to have a boy,” she said.
My eyes grew wide.“How do you know?”
“Just do.I get a feeling when it comes to these things.”
Colt’s smile went to his eyes and it made me full with joy to see him this happy.I guess I knew where he stood.He would’ve been happy with a boy or girl as long as they were healthy, but secretly wished for a boy, I knew.
Chapter Nineteen
Colton
The doctor’s appointment went well and we learned what we could about the baby.We also got the all clear to be physical.It’d been a good few days and I couldn’t complain.
Scarlet was working on her new writing assignment about Ginger, the street dancer we met.And I had finally rescheduled my job interview for this morning.I just came back from it and had some great news.They gave me the job right on the spot.I was now a construction consultant at a well-known company in these parts.There was no time to waste when it came to financial stability, especially with a baby on the way.I knew Scarlet had a job and they were letting her work remote, so she didn’t have to go back to New York, but this was definitely going to secure things more so.I didn’t want to live paycheck by paycheck like Scarlet said her parents did.Then she lived even more so like that when they passed and it was just her and Brandon.No, I wanted her to feel secure.I didn’t want her to ever have to worry about money.
Wanting to share the good news and give Scar some quiet time to write, I dropped by to see my parents.
“So when are you proposing?”Deacon asked, patting me on the back as he passed by to get to the fridge.I nearly choked on the orange juice I was drinking.
I collected my thoughts.“What the hell makes you think I’m proposing?”Not that I hadn’t thought about it once or twice myself, but never said the thoughts aloud, that was for sure.
Mom was peeling potatoes over the sink, trying to mind her own business when she snickered.“Come on, Mom, out with it,” I said.Mom was never one to sit back and watch her children make their own decisions, especially one this big.Let’s be real, we all knew she had opinions on the matter of marriage for her sons.
She chuckled now.“I’m staying out of this one.”
“Since when?”Deacon inquired.
“Watch it, young man,” she warned my brother and he shut his mouth, shrugging down into the stool beside me, taking a sip of grape soda he snagged from the fridge.There was something about Mom’s scolding that always made you feel younger than you actually were.
Mom kept peeling potatoes as she told me, “I just think you’d be a fool not to propose to that sweet girl.She’s pregnant, you’re starting a family together, she loves you, she’s been through so much.Give her some stability, Colt.Make sure she knows where you stand.”
“She does know where I stand.There’s no question there.I’ve never made her question my feelings for her.”
“Yeah, ‘cause you’re an open book,” Deke joked.
I elbowed him in the ribs.“Shut up, dude.”
He snarled.“See, this is why I’m still single.”
“Because you’re an ass?”I suggested.
Mom interjected, “Boys, cool it.I’m only making a suggestion, Colt.What you choose to do, that’s up to you.”
I shook my head.“I always planned on proposing.I just don’t know if now’s the right time.”
“Why not?”she asked.
Deacon echoed, “Yeah, why not?”
I harrumphed.“Because she just got released from the hospital, she’s still on pain medication, she’s dealing with cravings and morning sickness.She doesn’t need to worry herself with planning a wedding, too.”
