Page 111 of What I Should Have Known

But I’d failed to mention the absolute beating he’d given me when we’d both told him together the first time upon returning from that bar over a week ago. My ass had been sore for days. And ever since then, I’d barely been able to steal even five minutes with her before her dad would call her away.

Plus, her oldest brother, Colton, was back for a bit, so this dinner wasn’t just a casual Saturday gathering of the family, but one that I knew was going to be extra. The initial reaction of her father also hadn’t included the minor detail that I was in the military, which I’d resolved to share tonight, until now as I stood in front of Kat’s house, unable to knock.

Tightening my hold around the two bouquets of flowers, I shifted from one foot to another. I needed to knock. It really was that simple. Just knock. That was all I needed to do. Yet, my knuckles wouldn’t rap against the wood.

Suddenly the door flew open and chatter from inside assaulted my ears. But it wasn’t Kat who filled the doorway but two men, one of whom I knew.

“Bernie,” Sawyer said, his eyes widening as he jumped into a boot. “Kat’s been pacing like a lunatic waiting for you. You know how important timeliness is to our dad.”

I nodded, sliding my gaze to someone who only looked a little like Kat. His eyes were a deep chocolate brown, with curly hair poking out beneath his dusty, straw cowboy hat. The sweat stain circling the band was an obvious sign he wore it often and worked hard.

The man was tall and slender, with weathered skin, and the deepest dimples—the one similar thing to Kat. There was a youthfulness to his gaze that landed on me.

“So, you’re Kat’s boyfriend,” he said, eyeing me as suspiciously as I was him.

“Bernie,” I stated politely as Sawyer stuffed his own hat on his head. I stepped sideways as the two men slipped through the doorway.

“Colton,” he replied.

“Ah, Kat’s oldest brother.” I nodded politely as a crooked grin spread across his face.

“Wanna roll with us? Dad apparently forgot to lock up one of the chicken coops, and we’ve had some foxes venture into the pasture lately,” Sawyer asked with a smile.

“This city boy wouldn’t know a hen from a rooster.” Colton raised a brow.

I glanced down at my outfit and chuckled. “Yeah, guess I didn’t dress with the idea of doing ranch chores.”

“Ranch chores are an everyday thing,” Colton replied as the two men skipped down the porch steps.

“Noted,” I replied with a smile. This was just the interaction I needed to calm my nerves.

As Colton walked on, Sawyer paused and jogged back my way. He jumped over the steps, landing in front of me. His brows raised and he exhaled deeply.

“Thank you, man. For everything. For giving me the chance to own my shit.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug.

“Before you ask, I told my family while you took Kat out muddin’ before everything went down. No, it didn’t get me off easy, but they’ve been nothin’ but lovin’ and supportive.” He clapped me on the back.

I returned the gesture, and we broke apart. “I’m glad to hear it, man.”

He tipped the brim of his hat. “Also, they don’t know that I told you. I kept you out of it. I’m glad my sister found you.” Sawyer waved and then launched himself off of the porch, running to catch up with his older brother.

No matter how much apprehension rolled within me concerning the dinner I was about to walk into, that was the boost I needed, and I steppedinside the house. Kicking my shoes off to the side where the rest of the family left their boots, I followed the sound of conversation past the stairs I’d snuck up before and rounded the corner into an open-concept dining room and kitchen.

Decorated with warm brown towns, the cabinets lining the entire wall space to my right had scratches and dents from a well-used life but still seemed sturdy. A sharp squeal pulled my attention away from Kat’s mom who bent over the stove across from me, and two kids latched themselves around my legs.

“Bernie!” Levi and Beau exclaimed simultaneously.

From my peripherals, I caught Kat’s dad as he leaned back in his dining chair and narrowed his steely gaze toward me. Unblinking, his stare remained steady as Kat’s mom spun around from the stove holding a wooden spoon.

“Oh, hello dear,” she said.

“One of these is for you, but I can see you’re occupied. Do you have a vase anywhere?” I offered, raising one of the bouquets of flowers, and she pointed to the cupboard next to the pantry to the left.

“In there,” she said.

“I’ve got it, Mom,” Kat’s voice inserted, and I glanced over my shoulder as the most beautiful woman spun around the corner. Casual jeans hugged her curves, and a simple yellow tank top highlighted how tan she was. The bullet wound on her arm was nothing more than a simple bandaged cut at this point and she flashed me her incredible smile.

“Hey, Kit Kat,” I said with a grin, and she rolled her eyes but snatched the flowers from my hands.

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