Page 57 of One Weekend in London

When we finally pull back, he cups my face in his rough hands, his thumbs brushing over my cheekbones as he studies me with eyes that’ve seen too much, roving over my features like he’s making up for lost time.

He nods, satisfied with what he sees.

Then his eyes cut to Rhys, standing silent and watchful, respectful as can be. “So you’re Prince Charming...” Papaw’s eyes narrow as he gives Rhys a thorough once-over, taking in the sharp cut of his suit and the confident set of his shoulders. I can only imagine what’s running through his head. “The one who’s stolen my Sadie Lou’s heart.”

“I am, sir.” Rhys meets Papaw’s gaze head-on, unflinching. “And I consider myself the luckiest bloke in the world for her giving me the chance to take it, making it my own.”

Papaw grunts, his weathered face inscrutable. Shaking his head, he turns to me, his blue eyes softening the smallest amount. “This man treatin’ you right, darlin’? Givin’ you the love and respect you deserve? Because if he ain’t, I’ll go get my gun outta the truck and—”

I nod, fighting back laughter, my heart so full it aches. Poor Rhys and my family’s threats. “He does, Papaw. More than I ever dreamed possible.”

“And you love him?” Papaw’s voice is gruff, but I can hear the emotion behind it. “Truly love him, with your whole entire heart?”

“I do.” My hand finds Rhys’s, twining our fingers together, the feel of his skin against mine comforting. “He’s my forever. Just like you were Mamaw’s and she was yours.”

Papaw is silent for a long moment.

But I don’t miss the wobble of his chin or the tears that fill his eyes before he slowly nods. “Well, all right then. That’s more than good enough for me.” He fixes Rhys with a stern look, needing to say his piece. “I may have given you my permission to propose, tying my grandbaby’s heart to you, but let me tell you somethin’, son. You ever hurt her, and there won’t be a place on God’s green earth you can hide from me. I may be old, but I’ll hunt you down like a dog and make you wish you’d never been born.”

“Papaw!” I admonish, but Rhys just chuckles, squeezing my hand. “For heaven’s sake, Lillian already threatened to chop him up and feed him to the pigs. If y’all keep it up—”

“I’d expect nothing less, sir,” Rhys cuts in, seemingly unaffected by my crazy family and more than understanding. “But I give you my word, I plan to spend every bloody day of my life ensuring Sadie knows how cherished she is. Her safety and happiness are my top priorities. For now and always.”

Approval dances in Papaw’s eyes.

Approval Maxwell never received but Rhys has secured with ease.

“See that you do.” Papaw smiles, his entire face lifting and brightening. “And while we’re at it, no more of this sir business. You’re marryin’ one of my granddaughters, which makes you one of my grandyoungins. And now that we’ve finally met in person, all proper like, it’s Papaw to you.”

My belly flips, my heart swelling.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry...

Rhys nods, stoic as ever.

“All right now, enough of this ooey-gooey love stuff.” Papaw claps his hands, then wraps his palms around the straps of his faded blue overalls. “It’s time to head on back to the farm for some supper. I’ve got a spread laid out fit for a king, and I’ll be damned if we let it go to waste.”

Lillian and Tasha exchange a look, their eyebrows raised. “And who’s gonna watch the Bean while I’m gone?” Lillian rests a hand on her rounded belly. “I can’t leave until Eli—”

Papaw waves a dismissive hand. “Already taken care of, darlin’.” He points to behind the counter where Isla and Emma, two of Lillian’s part-time employees, stand. “The girls agreed to finish your shift and close up the shop. Besides, me and Eli already talked. He’s leavin’ work early to meet you at the farm. He agreed you don’t need to be on your feet a doggone second longer.”

He gives her a pointed look.

“And I figured we’d all want to celebrate Rhys and Sadie Lou’s homecomin’ properly so I’ve got the whole clan gatherin’ at the house, ready to raise some ruckus Winslow-style.”

“Now hold on a minute.” Tasha looks ready to throw a conniption fit. As expected. “You didn’t think to tell us this beforehand that Rhys clearly asked you if he could marry Sadie, much less that she was engaged and coming home? That is not fair! Lillian and I could’ve planned a real party!”

“And ruin the surprise?” Papaw winks at me, his blue eyes twinkling. “Not a chance, troublemaker. I wanted to see the look on your faces when our girl walked through the Bean’s door and y’all first glimpsed that rock on her hand. And let me tell you, it was worth every bit of secrecy.”

With all of us ignoring the army of eyes that remain glued to us, likely snapping pictures and maybe even live streaming our public family gathering online, he turns his attention back to Rhys.

“While we’re at it and before I forget... since you two will be settlin’ down here, at least part time when you’re not stayin’ in fancy London, I’ve got a little engagement gift for y’all.”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, tarnished key, pressing it into my palm, taking me back to the afternoon Rhys gifted me a key of his own, proposing I stay.

It was one of the best moments of my life.

“The cabin out by the creek, the one next to Eli and Lillian’s? It’s yours, Sadie Lou.”

---