Page 72 of Edge of Danger

“That’s all you have to say when we’re in here toiling away for you?” Claire clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“Hey, I never claimed to be great in the kitchen. My announcement of the game being on was my contribution. That and, well, eating.” He leaned in and kissed Claire’s cheek. She only laughed and shook her head again.

“Here, you can contribute this way.” Brax handed Walker over to his brother and did what he could not to laugh at the look of panic on Luke’s face.

He wasn’t successful. “I didn’t hand you a bomb,” he snickered. “Take it easy.”

“I have to say—” Sheila dropped a broad wink in Claire’s direction “—you look good holding a baby, son.”

Tessa met Brax’s gaze, and they both grinned. It was almost too obvious the way Sheila hinted heavily at Claire and Luke giving her grandkids.

Luke’s face went red. “Good thing there’s a baby around to hold.” Though he wasn’t fooling anybody. The way he looked at Walker, who waved his fists and babbled happily, told the real story.

Chance and Weston set the table as per their mom’s orders. Clinton pulled one casserole dish after another out of the oven while Sheila fretted over whether they had enough wine. Tessa put the finishing touches on a pan of macaroni and cheese, sprinkling buttered breadcrumbs on top. Claire and Luke fussed over Walker.

Brax had never felt happier and more at peace in his life.

Which was why what he planned to do that special day was the easiest move he’d ever considered. There wasn’t a scrap of doubt in his mind.

Tessa was his home. She was just as much his family as the rest of the people around them.

The tricky part was how to do it.

After serving themselves from the array of dishes and platters on the counter, they gathered around the table.

“It’s all delicious.” Tessa marveled. “I love to cook, but I don’t think I’ve ever cooked this much food at once. How do you manage?”

“It’s practice.” Sheila shrugged. “I had to feed four growing boys at once, not to mention a husband with a healthy appetite.”

“If you didn’t cook so well, I wouldn’t want seconds all the time,” Clinton pointed out.

“Seconds? Try thirds, Clinton Patterson.”

“Whatever magic you work, I would love to learn some of your recipes. Like this mac and cheese.” Tessa let out a soft groan as she took a bite.

“I guess if you’re going to spend time with my Brax, you’d better learn how to cook my recipes.” Sheila gave Brax a very knowing, very motherly look.

He made a mental note to ask just how she managed to read their minds the way she did. There was no keeping secrets from the woman.

Tessa fed Walker mashed bananas, which was a fairly new development and needed her complete attention or else everything in a three-foot radius would end up covered in Walker’s snack.

It was now or never, he realized. This was the moment. With his family together, laughing, happy. With Tessa secure, knowing no one could take her son away. With everyone who had tried to hurt the ones he loved behind bars, Brax’s life had never been more perfect.

Which was why he slid the box from his pocket while Tessa’s back was turned. He opened it then placed it on the table where she couldn’t help but see it when she turned away from Walker.

Claire clamped a hand over her mouth.

Sheila held her hands up, signaling for silence. She didn’t need to, since everyone went quiet once they realized what was going on.

Finally, Tessa noticed. “Is everything okay?” she asked in a panicked tone.

Then she saw the box and the ring inside.

“Oh, my goodness.” She looked at Brax. “What is this?”

“What do you think it is?” he asked, more nervous than he’d ever been in his entire life. Why was he shaking?

“Brax...oh, my goodness.” She crossed her hands over her chest as tears started to flow.

---