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Ridge’s rich laughter made my stomach flutter and other parts throb. I hated that. Hated the way my body reacted to him. It wasn’t normal.
“You should move in because it will just be another thing they’ll fixate on.”
“You make it sound like they’ll fixate on it whether I move in or not.” I smiled sweetly. I had him there.
The resolute look in his eyes told me that wouldn’t stop him. Before he could refute the last statement, the doorbell rang. Saved by the bell.
“Excuse me.”
He got up from the table, and I followed him. It would probably be best if I was seen in the manor occasionally. But I would not be living here.
The Magpies were at the door, each holding some homemade treat.
“Magpies, you didn’t have to do this,” Ridge said as he grabbed one of the dishes and I grabbed the other. “You should be home, grieving with the Hills. He was your family, too.”
One of the Magpies smiled softly. “Your engagement is a joyous occasion that needs to be celebrated. The loss of family will still be grieved, but it feels good to mark a special occasion.”
Surprised, my mouth almost dropped, but I contained it in time. I didn’t know either of them was related to Deputy Hill, but I hadn’t been in town long enough to know who was related to whom. I still couldn’t keep the Magpies straight. I’d need to ask Ridge to remind me.
“Shame on you, Mayor, for not telling us sooner about your grand news.” They jokingly frowned, but they both winked at me. “We’re so thrilled for you, Tori, and wanted to make sure you were welcomed properly to Blackwood Creek. After all, you’re in the fold now, and we take care of our own.”
Ridge and I placed the dishes on the table in the foyer, and I wrapped myself in Ridge’s arms, leaning against his side.
“Thank you so much, ladies. I appreciate the welcome. We just finished having dinner, so we’ll enjoy the dessert.” I looked at the Maggie on the left. I was fairly sure she was the one related to the Hills since Ridge had spoken to her directly. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Oh, thank you, dear. I married into the Hill family and have been a widow for quite some time, but Phil was good to me after I lost my husband. I’ll miss his visits and how he’d fix things around the house when I needed them done.” Her face sagged with sorrow.
My heart burned, and guilt swam to the surface. Did I do this? Was I the one responsible for making this woman grieve someone for whom she cared deeply? I hoped to God I wasn’t.
Ridge tightened his arm around my waist as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. Before I could say anything else, both women spoke up.
“Well.” They looked at each other, but only one continued. “We won’t keep you. You lovebirds have a lot to sort out. This wedding will be the biggest social gathering of the year, so we know you two have much to plan. We’ll let you get back to it. Might I add that a fall wedding with the trees changing colors makes for beautiful wedding photos? It’ll also make for earlier nuptials. Just a thought.”
Ridge snickered as we waved them off, and as soon as the door was shut, I stepped away, glaring at his “I told you so” grin.
Annoyance frothed beneath my skin, not just because he was right about the gossip but because the more he touched and held me, the more my wolf fought me—and the more I, too, wanted to stay where I was. Being close to the man was dangerous, which was exactly why I could not move into the manor.
I geared up to continue the argument of not moving in when the doorbell rang again.
Ridge’s eyes lit up, and he smirked at me. “And so, it begins.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled brightly when he opened the door. Several people stood there with casseroles, baked goods, and flowers. It was insane. As far as I was concerned, all of this should be going to the Hill family.
Ridge must’ve seen the wheels turning in my head because he whispered, “The Hills are being shown the same courtesy, I assure you.” The townspeople apparently cared about each other. They loved to celebrate the joyous occasions and aid in mourning the gut-wrenching ones.
I hadn’t met the older couple standing before us. Ridge introduced them as Jim and Carla Proctor. I hadn’t seen them around town.
“Sorry we couldn’t be at the meeting, but I couldn’t get off work,” Jim apologized. “We just wanted to congratulate you two and welcome you, Tori.” They insisted that if I needed anyone to reach out to, I was always welcome to call on them. Carla was a housewife and could be easily reached at their home in town.
I was touched that they’d gone out of their way to welcome me. It was humbling. Carla’s apple pie looked tasty, and I couldn’t wait to taste it. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a homemade pie—or any pie at all, in fact.
Another younger couple showed up as the Proctors were leaving, and a priest was with them. Owing to the short notice, none of them had been able to make it to the town meeting. They were all joking with Ridge.
“It’s about time you found a girl, Mayor. We’re so happy for you,” the priest said.
“Your babies are going to be gorgeous,” the young wife blurted out.
My face flushed and Ridge laughed, wrapping his arms around my waist again and pulling me into his side to kiss my temple.
