“Or that,” Bash said, pointing.
“Wow,” I said. “I’ve lived here my whole life and never knew all that. I never even knew much of him until we started hanging out after Lanie came back.”
“He kind of brought us all together,” Allie said. “And speaking of that, it reminds me of something I wanted to show y’all.”
She got up and went behind the counter and disappeared into the back hall, coming back with something in a frame. Holding it out for Lanie, she smiled.
“Recognize the little girl?” she asked.
Lanie’s mouth opened and then closed again, unsure.
“Is that Aunt Ruby?” she asked.
“Yep,” Allie said. She handed it to me to pass around. It was a grainy black-and-white photo of three kids about eight or nine, sitting on a large rock. They weren’t grinning and carefree like most kids are in pictures. They had small, introspective smiles, and far too much wisdom and experience in their faces for their ages. Allie’s dad was thin and dark-haired and looked quiet just like Allie. Ruby had curly, wild hair, and sat like she was spring-loaded and ready to pounce. Mr. Bailey was long and lanky and blond, and sat a little farther away from the other two, although he had the biggest smile.
“I wonder who took the picture?” I asked.
Carmen took it from me and studied it. “It’s by the caves, so maybe his grandmother?” she said. “It’s so weird to see him ever be young. Allie’s dad doesn’t look that old.”
“I made this copy and brought the original to my dad,” Allie said, folding her arms across herself. “It made him cry.”
“Aw,” I said.
“I know, it broke my heart,” she said. “He just hugged it and cried.”
“Gabi?” Micah said, a mischievous look in her eyes. “You haven’t told what your money plans are.”
“No, I haven’t,” I said, giving her a look right back. She knew my plans, but I hadn’t said them out loud yet. Not to anyone but her and Thatcher. I hadn’t even told my family yet.
Thatcher finished eating, and sat back with his arm across the back of my seat, one finger lazily tracing a pattern on my shirt.
“So spill!” Lanie said.
“Well, first thing is I’m buying a house,” I said, bringing chuckles all around. “I haven’t found one yet, but it will come. I can’t take the dorm room much longer.”
“And I just got approval to take the paramedic’s exam,” Thatcher said, giving me a sideways grin.
“Oh my God,” I said. “They are letting you test out?”
“To see what I remember, and go from there, rather than start all over,” he said.
“That’s awesome, big brother,” Micah said. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, baby girl,” he said. “I’m excited. And I’ve got a new office manager starting at the farm on Monday, much to Roarke’s excitement. He thinks he’s really going to run things and just tell the suit what to do.”
“Why didn’t you just promote Roarke?” I asked.
“Because he’d rather shoot off his own foot than work in an office,” Thatcher said. “He knows everything, but he wants to be out there in it.”
“Here, here,” Micah said. “Boy, do I get that.”
“So, what’s the other thing?” Lanie said, narrowing her eyes. “I sense there’s another something-something.”
I licked my lips and looked at Thatcher. He winked at me and just settled in on me with that laid-back look that just said—everything.
“You’ve got this,” he said, the words so low I wasn’t sure they were even out loud.
“I’m—um—” I looked down at my hands, and then chuckled when Thatcher covered one of them with his. “I’m starting the process to adopt a baby.”
Gasps and wows exploded around the room. Lanie was on her feet in a microsecond, coming to hug me. Allie fanned her face to keep from crying.
“That’s phenomenal,” Bash said. “Congratulations.”
“And if you need legal help,” Carmen said. “You’ve got it. No charge.”
“I probably will,” I said, chuckling, swiping under my eyes. “It’s all just starting, I’m getting in the system, with all the vetting and everything. It’ll be a while before there’s an actual baby, I’m sure.”
Micah got up and came to sit across from me.
“You are going to be the best mom ever,” she said, tears in her eyes. “And I’d better be the godmother, that’s all I can say.”
“Deal,” I said, laughing.
It was more hope than I’d felt in a really long time. Years. I might actually get my dream after all. Don’t give up faith on what you want.
Thank you, Mr. Bailey.
I saw all the guys eyeing Thatcher, probably gauging a response. We weren’t married, we were barely dating. It was a heavy thing to bring to a brand new relationship.
“Yes, I’m on board with it,” he said suddenly, and the guys snickered. “What you may or may not know, is that everything about Gabi and me has been unconventional.”
I laughed out loud, and his gaze swung to me.
“Understatement.”
“Well, lunacy seemed a bit over the top,” he said. “We met in a group with no real names, and were involved before we ever knew that we already knew each other.”
“Not complicated at all,” I said.
“So, if she wants a baby, I say go for it,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere, and I love kids, so I’m thrilled. We’ll cross the other bridges as we come to them.”
Watching him talk about our life, our future—in public, with people we loved—it filled me with what I needed to push me forward.
“I love you,” I said.
It was so simple, and yet so profound. The sound of those words swirled around inside my head, telling me I’d used them. Just in case the shock had blocked the memory.
His expression said that words had escaped him, but he recovered faster than I did.
“I love you, Gabi.”
“God help us,” I said, nervous laughter catching throughout the room.
He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss on my lips. “I had no doubt.”
That’s why I had him. To balance out my constant doubt. But I was learning to never doubt this guy. He was so crème brûlée.
“Well, so we have a double wedding coming up,” Carmen began.
“Whose double wedding?” Thatcher asked.
“Oh!” Micah said, holding up a finger. “You weren’t here yet. Leo and I, and Allie and Bash, are getting married in Cabo in May, and everyone is coming.”
Thatcher nodded. “Good to know.”
“We’ll have another new baby in the future,” Carmen continued. “A new love, new businesses, new life structures, lots of travel.” She reached behind her neck and unfastened a necklace that she pulled from under her shirt, sliding something off it. She put it on her finger. Her left hand ring finger. “So I guess it’s time to fess up that we got married in Greece.”
“You did what?” Lanie exclaimed, twisting around.
She held up her hands. “It’s how we always wanted it, kind of a nomad style, so we were at this really beautiful villa, and there was music and the ocean and we were like—we just need to do it and apologize later. So we did!”
“And you didn’t tell me?” Lanie said.
“Well, the day we got home, Sully found Bailey,” Carmen said. “Then the next day, Micah and Leo had just gotten engaged so I was going to wait a day, then you almost died. Then you were in the hospital, and then everyone was busy and scattered, and life got crazy like it always does. And we wanted to tell everyone at once!”
Lanie pouted. “Okay. I guess.”
“What, I don’t rank a hug?” Carmen asked. “You about killed yourself getting to Gabi a minute ago, bu
t I get married and I get a thumbs-up?”
“You know, you would have gotten a hug, a shower, a party, and presents if you’d told me you’d gotten married,” Lanie said, rolling her eyes as she got up. She attacked her friend in a bear hug. “I love you, my friend.”
“Oh my God, y’all are killing me,” Allie said, dabbing at her eyes as we all got up and hugged them. “Okay, if everyone’s not crying too much, can I get a picture?” She held out a rod thing. “Angel gave me this selfie stick thing, you attach it to your phone, and—oh, hey, it works.”
She held the phone way out in front of us for practice.
“I want a picture of us for the counter,” she said. “My dad always had one of him and my mom, and later we had some of our family, and Bash.” She gave a little smile. “This diner represents all of us. Family, old friends, and new friends. Bonded by an odd old man who cared about us all for different reasons.” She held out the phone on the selfie stick. “Here’s to Mr. Bailey.”
Thatcher’s arms went around me, my back solidly against him. Nothing felt better than that. Nothing would ever be better than that. Take one for me.
I did.
“Here’s to Mr. Bailey,” we all repeated in unison. Sort of.
“Okay y’all,” Allie said. “Three…two…one…”
THE END
About the Author
Sharla Lovelace is the bestselling, award-winning author of sexy small-town love stories. Being a Texas girl through and through, she’s proud to say she lives in Southeast Texas with her retired husband, a tricked-out golf cart, and two crazy dogs. Among her work is the bestselling novel Don’t Let Go, the exciting Heart Of The Storm series, and the fun and sexy Charmed in Texas series.
For more about Sharla’s books, visit www.sharlalovelace.com, and keep up with all her new book releases easily by subscribing to her newsletter. She loves keeping up with her readers, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @sharlalovelace.
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