Page 60 of Take Me to the Valley

I’m halfway home when she replies with a photo of her clothes on the ground in a pile beside the bed. This woman is going to keep me on my toes.

Chapter 30

Calista

It’s been a few days since Evan talked to Cody and we are going to family dinner. Tonight, we plan to come clean to my parents and my brothers about us.

Evan and I have also talked in detail about Cody’s offer for Evan to work at the distillery. It’s a lot to think about and consider. He told me how he’s been feeling about having to go back to work and his thoughts on what Skye and I would go through. I assured him if it’s what he wanted, we could handle it and I’d be there for her.

After much discussion and talking, we both finally feel at peace with the choice we made. Tonight we plan to talk to Cody about it, too.

“Wear one of your flowy skirts and comfortable shoes,” Evan says as I’m getting ready. He winks at me and then leaves telling me he has something planned.

I do as he asks and then help Skye do her hair. She is sitting on the bathroom counter facing the mirror with a big grin on her face, giggling as she tells me about some girl name Violet in her class. When I look up, I see Evan leaning against the bathroom door frame with a smile on his lips. When he catches me watching him, he walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder.

“Don’t move,” I tell them and reach for my phone, snapping our first official family photo. It may be in a mirror and in the bathroom, but it’s of us and that’s what matters.

“We should book a family photo shoot. You can guys wear long flowy dresses and even dress me up,” he says kissing my cheek.

“Yes!” Skye’s clearly on board.

“I might know someone for that,” I wink at him.

Then we walk to the car and head to my parents. It’s warm and we don’t need jackets, but I grab them anyway because the temperature drops fast once the sun goes down.

On the way to my parents, Skye sings along to the radio, and Evan and I are content to let her. It’s comfortable being with Evan, holding hands and enjoying Skye entertain us. Every so often I look over at him and I can’t believe he’s mine. I know there might be some resistance today about our news, but we will face it together.

We are the last to arrive, and Skye immediately runs off, soaking up everyone’s attention. We get a few looks about arriving together, but no one says anything.

“Okay! It’s dinner time and you can all chat and gossip at the table!” Mom calls after she says hi to Skye.

Cody and I swap seats so I can sit next to Evan. This time Dad doesn’t let it go.

“Why are we playing musical chairs?” Dad asks.

“Because apparently those two are getting married,” Cody says, smirking.

I have to admit that I’m surprised when the whole table erupts with cheers and talking until a piercing whistle fills the air.

I know that whistle. It’s Dad and he’s used it a few times over the years to get our attention.

“I didn’t think you’d ask her so soon, but I’m glad you did,” Dad says and my jaw drops.

“You don’t think I’d have asked you to marry me without talking to your dad first, did you?” Evan says.

“Was that the day you sent Skye out of the room with me? When was she wearing her gold dress?” Mom asks.

“Yep. I went and proposed right then and there,” Evan reaches for my hand at the table.

Mom wants to see my ring, so I show it off, proving I said yes.

“I didn’t even know you two were dating.” Colt says from my other side, giving me a side hug.

“Neither did I,” Cody says still smiling.

My brothers’ freeze.

“How is he still standing?” Drew asks.

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