by Amelia Shea
“You asked her to be in your wedding over me?”
Sarah reminded Kellie of a four-year-old whining about being picked last on the playground. She bit her tongue, even though she was seething about the way Sarah referred to Kellie as her. I’m sitting right here!
Grey dropped his fork and scowled. “Of course she’d choose Kellie, aside from Darcy, she’s her closest friend.” He glared at Sarah. “Not that it’s any of your business, seeing as how you haven’t been around lately to see it.”
“I haven’t been around because Britt kicked me out of your house. Remember?”
“I remember.” Grey’s face tightened, and his eyes narrowed. “You deserved it.”
Kellie watched the scene unfold. Britt was enraged with a red face, and Grey was just as mad. She sneaked a peek at Jasper to see him shooting daggers at his cousin from across the table. This was not how Sunday dinner was supposed to go. What the hell happened to uneventful? Her palms began to sweat as the room lay in silence.
“I was just saying what everyone was thinking that night.”
That night. Who could forget? Certainly no one at the table. Britt had all the guys along with Sarah and Kellie over for dinner. Sarah was relentless with the under the breath comments. Kellie let them all slide. After all, words were just words and being new friends with Britt, Kellie didn’t want to put her in an uncomfortable spot. But by the end of the night, Kellie could no longer hold her tongue when Sarah made a reference to Kellie being a buckle bunny. She kept her composure, but she wasn’t about to let Sarah try and embarrass her. Especially when she was spewing lies. Surprisingly to Sarah and Kellie, the group turned on Sarah and Britt abruptly shut her down and then proceeded to kick her off her property.
“Bullshit,” Grey said.
Jasper moved to stand up, dropping Kellie’s hand, and leaned across the table toward Sarah. “No one thinks that but you and your jealous heart and simple mind.”
“Jasper.” His mother’s voice was a warning.
This was bad.
“Sit down.”
Kellie looked up to see Mr. Fords sternly staring at Jasper. One breath, two breaths, and finally Jasper sat, yanking his chair forward, scraping the wood floor.
“You owe Kellie an apology,” Grey said, pointing at Sarah.
Sarah snorted. “Not gonna happen.”
“Then you can leave,” Tripp chimed in, surprising Kellie. He looked equally as angry as his brothers.
“I’m pretty sure I hold a little more merit than some girl Jasper is dating. I’m blood, Tripp. You’d do best to remember that.” Oh, the holier than thou tone. Kellie shot her own glare Sarah’s way.
“And this is my table. You would do best to remember that,” Mr. Fords said.
“I j-just mean…”
“I know what you mean, but blood or not, gives you no right to come into my house and insult or belittle anyone sitting at my table, do you understand me?”
“If you knew…” Sarah didn’t get the chance to finish.
Mr. Fords drew out his finger, pointing in her direction. “You will not finish that sentence, you hear me? You either stay and use the manners I know your mama taught you, or excuse yourself from my table and find your way home. I don’t know what has gotten into you, but whatever it is, fix it.”
Sarah’s gasp could be heard around the table. By the look on her face, it may as well have been a slap. Her face paled, and her eyes welled. It was silly for Kellie to have any compassion for a girl who would have sharpened a knife to slit her throat, but she did, all the same. Kellie looked down at her empty plate, waiting on what came next.
She didn’t watch, but she heard the chair slide out, and the footsteps pad out of the room.
“Well, that was interesting,” Tripp said, grabbing a roll from the plate in front of him. While the whole room seemed on edge, he carelessly buttered his bread. He chewed and glanced around the room.
“What?”
Jasper snickered, and Kellie joined in, along with Britt, and finally Grey, who broke down, shaking his head. The only two clearly not amused were the eldest at the table.
“Someone give me something good to focus on after what just happened. Britt, tell me more wedding things,” Mrs. Fords said.
Britt smiled and opened her mouth when Grey’s hand rested on hers over the table. “I got something you might like.”
“Is it good?”
“Only time will tell, but I’m willing to take a chance.” Grey turned to Tripp. “I want you to be a groomsman. Not much responsibility, so I ain’t expecting much, just show up and stand with me and Jasper at the altar.” Grey was definitely downplaying it. Being asked to be a part of someone’s wedding was a huge honor, she knew that firsthand.
Kellie watched the silent exchange between the oldest and youngest of brothers. Tripp, who was notorious for his smart tongue, always one to talk, seemed almost speechless. He stared at Grey, his chest rising rapidly and his face fallen. This was more than just asking to be part of a wedding. This was Grey showing forgiveness for all the trouble Tripp had caused, and what it almost cost him. Britt. This was bigger than being a groomsman, and everyone sitting at the table knew it. Tripp’s eyes averted to his plate, and Kellie wondered if he might cry. She was on the verge.
Tripp glanced up and slowly grinned. “I can do that. And I’ll plan the bachelor party.”
“Hell no!” Britt barked.
Kellie burst out laughing as Jasper curled his arm over her shoulder and the entire room followed with laughter. This was good.
Mr. Fords cleared his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. “Got some more good news.” He paused, staring at Tripp. “Tripp is going to take over the fundraiser for the hospital.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I asked Dad if I could take over. I figured it’s about time I step up.”
Jasper sighed. “Are you sure? I know you been trying Tripp, I see it, we all do but with the hospital, it’s a lot of responsibility.” Jasper glanced back at his dad and then to Tripp. “There’s no room for error, a lot of kids depend on us.”
“He’ll do fine.” Mr. Fords said it in a way even Kellie believed he would.
“Okay, I’ll get you the paperwork, and it’s all yours. But you need help, you ask me or Grey. You can’t mess this up, Tripp.”
Tripp smiled. “I won’t.”
Chapter Twenty
2 months later
Kellie gripped the pillow, tightening her hold in hopes of drowning out the ringing.
It didn’t.
“Shit!” She tossed the pillow and stretched out over her mattress, reaching for her phone. A quick glance at the screen and she sighed. “Of course.”
She drew in a breath and smiled. “Hello, Mom.”
She was nearly deemed deaf when her mother screeched a howling scream. She pulled the phone from her ear but not quick enough. The ringing was going to linger.
“Great, now I’m deaf.”
Her mother burst into laughter directly into the receiver, and she yanked the phone away from her ear again.
“Someone’s excited.” Jasper’s voice was groggy, and when she glanced over her shoulder, his eyes were still closed, the corner of his mouth curved into a half smile. His hand slid up her bare thigh, trailing up to her stomach.
“Ya think?”
His muffled chuckle made her smirk. She should have known the one day they both had off wouldn’t be spent sleeping in. It was her own fault, she should have waited until today to send out the text, but she was too excited last night.
Kellie ran her hand through her hair, getting stopped up in the tangle. Same spot as always. Jasper had a thing for curving his fingers through her hair. She smiled and moved past it.
“Mom?”
The soft sniffles caught her off guard. She expected excitement and she anticipated a bit of shock. But tears? From her mom?
“Mom, say something.”
“My baby is getting married.”
Kellie smiled and gazed up at the ceiling. This was what she expected, with a little less emotion, but she’d take it.
“Yep. I tried calling, but it kept going to voicemail. I guess I was just too excited not to share.”
“Well, of course you are, you’re getting married.” Her mother sniffled again, trying to gather herself. “Have you picked a day?”
Kellie snorted. “Considering we’ve been engaged for about, oh, I don’t know, twelve hours, no, we haven’t picked a date yet.”
“Well, weddings take time to plan, so get to it.”
She giggled. “I will.”
“Oh, baby, I’m so happy for you, I wish I was there. I’m going to make plans, maybe next month to get home. We’ve got lots of plans. The venue, catering, dresses, all of it needs to be planned in advance.” Her mother took a breath and started in again. “Outside weddings are beautiful, but think of the weather, and a winter wedding in Montana is risky. May, my vote is May. What do you think of May?”
Kellie rolled her eyes and gazed down at Jasper, who was watching her. She shook her head, and he smiled back. She mouthed, “She’s going to drive me nuts.”
Jasper snickered, dropping his head onto her stomach.
“Let me talk to Jasper.”
Kellie furrowed her brows. “What?”
“Let me talk to him, I know he’s there, right?”
“Well yeah…”
“Then put him on the phone.”
Kellie pulled the phone from her ear and scratched his head, getting his attention. When Jasper looked up she whispered, “She wants to talk to you.”
She expected to see surprise or hesitation. Jasper gave her none of that. Instead, he took the phone from her and brought it up to his ear.
“Hi Ms. Mitchell.”
Kellie watched Jasper’s face crinkle as he listened. She could only imagine what her mother was saying. “Donna. I’ll remember that.”
“What’s she saying?” Kellie whispered.
Jasper grinned, shaking his head. She could hear the mumblings of her mom’s voice but couldn’t make out anything being said on the other end.
Jasper flickered up at her and bit back a laugh. “I like May.”
Kellie sighed.
“All right, here she is.” Jasper handed Kellie the phone.
“Can I ask what you were saying to him, or is it your little secret?”
“He likes May, too.”
Kellie laughed. “Of course, he does. First time talking to my mom, I’m sure he’ll agree with anything you say.”
“That wasn’t the first time.”
“What do you mean?” Kellie jerked her head toward Jasper. He was getting up, pulling on his boxers.
“Jasper called about two weeks ago. We had an amazing conversation. Kellie, I love that boy already, and I haven’t even met him.”
“Wait, why’d he call you?”
Jasper looked over his shoulder, staring down at Kellie.
“To ask for your hand in marriage.” Her mother kept talking, but she couldn’t comprehend anything else she was saying. Kellie was too focused on Jasper and his blue eyes peering into hers and the curve of his lips.
He called her mom. Asked if he could marry her. Tears pooled in her eyes, and she licked her lips.
“Kellie?”
She blinked out of her daze and wiped her moist cheeks. “Yeah, I’m here.”
Her mother giggled. “So, you like May?”
Kellie grinned, keeping her eyes locked on Jasper. “Yeah, Mom, I like May.”
“Good. So, I’ll plan on next month coming out to see you both. Love you, baby.”
“Love you too, Mom. See you soon.” Kellie clicked the receiver and dropped the phone on the bed.
“You asked her if you could marry me?”
Jasper walked to the bed, dropping a knee onto the mattress and leaning over her. “Of course. Got a secret though.”
“What?”
“I wasn’t going to take no for answer. I would have made a call every day until she gave her blessing. Even willing to drive to Vegas.”
“How many calls did you have to make?”
Jasper grinned. “Just one.”
Kellie wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him down onto the bed and taking his lips into a kiss. She was marrying Jasper Fords. The sheet fell from her breasts, and his chest rubbed against her nipples, making them instantly hard. They would spend the first full day as husband and wife-to-be in bed if she had a say in it.
“You’re getting married!” The female scream was muffled only by the walls but was loud enough to have Kellie pull away from Jasper.
She stared at Jasper with wide eyes. “Are you serious?”
Jasper pressed kisses from her lips down to her neck. “It was your idea to send out a text with a picture of the ring.” His stifled laugh vibrated against her neck.
It was. This was her doing.
“Where the hell are you guys?”
“Christ, Britt, they’re probably still sleeping. Or they were until you came barreling in.” Grey’s voice echoed from downstairs.
Kellie giggled and took Jasper’s lead when he got up, taking her hand and pulling her against his chest. “Get dressed, and I’ll try and keep Britt from storming in here.” He cupped her jaw. “Love you.”
“I love you, too.”
»»•««
Jasper sipped his coffee. He spent the last half hour listening to his fiancée give in great detail how he proposed to Britt. He’d thought of the idea on a whim. During a trek out to round up the cattle, he caught the sunset off the ridge, and his first thought was how much Kellie would love it. It sealed his decision. It wasn’t overly unique or original, but he thought she would like it. He was right.
Hearing her describe how he proposed, and where he took her, watching her eyes light up, and then tear up when she spoke of him getting down on one knee, he knew it was special to her.
Grey slapped his back. “Two of us out of the game in less than a year.”
“Yeah. Gonna return the favor and stand up as my best man?”
Grey cocked his head and nodded.
They stood by the wall watching the girls.
If he had been asked a few years ago after the whole Abby fiasco if he’d ever get married, he wouldn’t have been able to answer it honestly. The cut had been so deep that he wasn’t sure he’d ever get over it. Now, it was different. He was half ready to thank Abby for what she had done. If she hadn’t, he might have just spent his entire life with the wrong woman. Life threw curves which sometimes made a person feel like they wouldn’t survive, but as Jasper learned, it was about the bigger picture, and he was staring at his. Kellie smiled up at him.
“We better tell your parents soon.”
Grey cleared his throat and tightened his lips. He narrowed his eyes at Britt.
Jasper watched his future sister-in-law’s face burn bright. She clasped her hands in front of her and rolled her eyes. “I thought they knew already.” She turned to Kellie. “I’m sorry, I just figured you’d sent the text to them too or stopped in to tell them.”
“You told them?” Jasper smirked.
She shrugged, completely remorseful. “Well, not on purpose. We went over this morning to pick up the plans and well, I just blurted out to your dad, ‘Getting two daughters in less than a year.’” She turned to Kellie. “I’m really sorry.”
Kellie laughed. “It’s fine. Were they happy?” Her question was uncertain. He had no doubt his parents would love having Kellie in the family, but she wasn’t as convinced as him.
“They were over the moon, Kell,” Grey said. He cocked his brow. “Even Dad. They were waiting on coming up.” He narrowed his eyes at Britt. “My suggestion was we wait, too.”
Britt stuck her tongue out at him and turned to Kellie, grasping her hand and staring down at the ring. “Whatever. I couldn’t wait!”
The back door opened, and Jasper looked past his b
rother. It seemed his mom couldn’t wait either. He watched the door open and smiled, thinking of how his mom would be in her glory planning two weddings.
What the… He grasped the mug tighter, and his heart plummeted to his stomach. All the excited emotion he’d been feeling was slowly draining.
Tripp walked through the door, stopping at the edge. “Down goes one more brother.” He laughed. He made his way to the girls and took Kellie’s hand. “Look at that shiny rock.” He glanced over at Jasper. “You done good, brother.” Jasper’s could feel the rise of heat from his neck up to his face.
Kellie stood up and took a hug from Tripp. Her smile and joy along with Britt’s was the complete opposite of everything he was feeling. Leave it to his brother to epically ruin what should have been a perfect day.
“Oh fuck,” Grey barked, and the group turned with shocked faces. Jasper slowly angled his head and stared back at his oldest brother. He was sure their faces mirrored each other at the moment. He was feeling the same anger and fury.
“What?”
“Jasper, what’s wrong?” Kellie asked, concern marring her face. He grew even angrier. This day was supposed to be special for her with happiness, and Tripp had just ruined it for her and him. He drew in a breath. Maybe there was some kind of explanation, something, anything.
Tripp stepped forward. “Why the hell ya both staring at me like you wanna shoot my ass?”
“Why are you here, Tripp?” Grey said through gritted teeth.
Tripp blinked back in surprise. “Why wouldn’t I? Just got home from three days camping with Larson down in Wyoming. Hell, I didn’t even shower yet. Mom told me the second I walked in and I came up to congratulate Jas and Kellie.”
Jasper’s breath shallowed. He could feel his temple pulse. There had to be a logical explanation. Maybe he had made other arrangements, maybe someone was covering for him. Hell, anything.
Jasper dragged his hand down his face. “Why aren’t you at the hospital for the fundraiser?”
Tripp shrugged and choked out a laugh. “That’s next Saturday, the twenty-fourth.”
Fuck.
The room drowned in silence after the gasps from both women. Tripp jerked his head back at them and then stared at Jasper. “What?”
