Page 73 of Merry with Me

“Never heard of you,” Uncle Rushton says, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’m an orthopedic physician,” Oliver tells them. “I work with Blake at Willow River General.”

“And me,” Uncle Brooks speaks up. “Didn’t know this was a thing when I ran into the two of you the other day,” he muses.

“You didn’t ask,” I counter.

“How long?” Uncle Orrin asks.

“A while,” I answer.

“What are your intentions with my niece?” Uncle Sterling asks.

“My intention is to treat her like the precious gem that she is, and anything further, we’ll just have to see,” Oliver tells him, meeting his stare.

“Enough,” I say when I see Uncle Archer open his mouth to add to the interrogation. “It was good to see you all, but I’m starving, and Oliver promised me pancakes.” I pull my hand from Oliver’s, go over to stand behind my dad, and hug him from behind. “Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.” I go to pull away, but he stops me with his hand over mine. “Is he good to you?”

“He looks at me like you look at Mom.” I kiss his cheek and hurry back to Oliver. “I’ll see you all later.” I wave.

“It was nice to meet you.” Oliver waves and allows me to lead him to the other side of the diner. “That wasn’t so bad,” he says once we’re seated and have placed our order.

“I’m sorry. They’ve never seen me with anyone. Well, not outside of prom dates here and there, but since I’ve been home from college and while at college, no one, so this is different for them.”

“What in the hell is wrong with the men you’ve been surrounding yourself with? How could any man let you be in their orbit and not want to worship you?”

My heart feels all gooey inside when he says things like that. I shrug. “I guess I was just waiting for you.” Something passes in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can name it. That’s fine. I know what this is. It’s not going to stop me from being with the one man who’s ever made me feel special.

This night has been, in a word, incredible. The silent auction raised a ton of money. The meal was fantastic, and the guests are all smiling and happy. Things are finally starting to slow down, and I head off in search of my date. I find him sitting at our table with an older couple, and I can tell immediately from the resemblance that they’re his parents. I approach slowly. I knew I was going to meet them tonight, but being faced with it is altogether different.

“Hey, baby.” Oliver smiles.

That’s the thing about him. I don’t even think he realizes he calls me baby instead of Blake. That’s just what he calls me. He called me that earlier in front of my dad and uncles, and from the wide eyes of his mother, his doing it now is a surprise to her.

“Mom, Dad, this is Blakely. Blake, these are my parents, Dave and Theresa Thompson.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” I tell them with a kind smile.

“You too, sweetheart,” his mom says.

“Sit. You’ve been on your feet all night.” Oliver stands, pulling the chair out for me.

I take it willingly.

“Do you need a drink? Water? Champagne? Something stronger?” he asks.

“Water is fine. Thank you.”

He stands, leans over, and presses a kiss to my cheek before heading toward the bar to grab me a water.

“Thank you,” his mother says as soon as I peel my eyes away from their son.

“Um, you’re welcome? I’m not sure what you’re thanking me for.”

“That man, that’s our son. Not the man who’s been going through the motions of life for the last four years. I don’t know what you’ve done, but whatever it is, please keep on doing it. You’re bringing our son back to us.”

“I haven’t done anything. That’s all Oliver. He’s a great man. You raised one of the good ones.” He is. He’s a good man with a kind heart and so much love to give, if he would just allow himself to open up and put his past behind him.

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