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“I know you visited my dad last night.”
Once again, he was rendered speechless.
“I know that you told him you didn’t like his rules and he needed to change them. Or something like that.” She let out a soft laugh. “But after you left, your words spurred Brielle to say more.”
James lifted his brows. “Brielle?”
She nodded. “I guess she was feeling the same as you. The pressure she was under to find someone to marry so that I could have my happiness had finally gotten to her.” Her eyes dipped to their hands and her voice softened. “I only wish I would have been brave enough to do it first.”
He leaned forward and touched her chin, lifting her face so he could see her eyes. “It’s not a race. People have to figure things out when they’re good and ready.”
There was no one more perfect for him than Constance. He firmly believed that fate or God played a part in the path his life had taken. He tilted his head and smiled at her. He didn’t dare hope that this conversation was headed where he wanted it to go. She hadn’t exactly asked him to take her back, though she would never need to.
“My father called a family meeting late last night. I guess the thought of ending this rule had crossed his mind a few times since Adeline got married. He just needed the right push.”
James probably should have shown more surprise, but Zeke had already cleared this part for him. What was more important was that he needed to hear Constance say she wanted to return to the relationship they had—only more out in the open.
The diner was getting more crowded and once again another patron entered. Shane strode inside and waved to Wade and his sister. His gaze swept through the diner, landing briefly on Constance and James before he took a seat beside the two he’d come to meet. James shifted his attention to Constance and leaned forward as she continued.
“I guess I came here because I wanted to—”
Movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention as Wade pushed away from the counter and strode toward them at a speed that was more than a little concerning.
James jumped up with the intention of shielding Constance from whatever was about to happen.
Wade reached out and grasped James’s hand and pulled him in for a hug, then clapped his hand on James’s back. When Wade pulled back, his expression wasn’t a smile. It was just as flat and unreadable as ever.
James glanced from him to where Shane still sat at the counter with who James assumed was Wade’s sister. He brought his focus back to Wade when the man shook James’s hand. “I want to thank you, Dr. Pratt.”
Confusion flooded every part of James’s mind. What would Wade have to thank him for?
“Mr. Owens just informed me of a giveaway he organized for a whole-home remodel.”
James shot one more look toward Shane. It would have been nice if his friend could have warned him this was about to happen.
Wade continued, his voice still gruff. “Apparently, you had the forms at the clinic. My brother didn’t remember applying for it, but he said you had him sign a lot of paperwork when he started working for you.”
James could sense more than see Constance stiffen behind him. She would have known about any giveaway that had been organized in Copper Creek. Well, the cat was out of the bag. He flashed Wade a smile and nodded. “I thought your family the most deserving of the prize.”
Wade shifted his weight from one foot to the other and leaned forward, his voice lowering. “For the record, I don’t appreciate you manipulating my brother into applying for this, but my family needs it. I won’t turn away from something we won fair and square.” He pulled back and gave Constance a short nod. “Ma’am.”
Both Constance and James watched Wade retreat, and when he’d arrived back at his seat, she leaned over the table, wearing a wide smile to match the emotion in her eyes. “You actually did it! I can’t believe it! You have such a good heart.”
He reached for her hand and held it tightly within his own. “It was your idea. I just figured out a way to put it in motion. Besides, Shane’s the one who is footing the bill. I can’t really take any credit for it.”
She squeezed his hand. “Don’t sell yourself short. I don’t know anyone who would have been willing to help a family they didn’t know.”
“You would have.”
Constance smiled and broke eye contact with him. “I guess we’re a good match then.”
“I guess so.”
28
One Year Later
Constance
