Page 87 of And Then There Was Us
“This is gorgeous, Hugh.” Brianna looked out over his father’s ranch. “I can’t even imagine what it must have been like to grow up here. It’s so…fresh and free.”
“We can live anywhere you want and raise our children in any state. If you want to stay in Richmond, that’s fine. If you’d rather move to someplace like Weston, I’m all for it. Home for me is wherever you and Layla are.”
She touched his belly, and he pulled her close.
“Other than college and your race, I’ve never been anywhere, but I like the idea of being around family.”
“Then we can stay in Richmond. We have a beautiful house there, and Layla’s friends are there.” He opened the front door.
“Hugh, I meant maybe around your family. Let’s see how we get along and think about it.”
Hugh stopped cold. “You would move?”
“Families offer love and support. It might be nice for Layla to have more people around to love her. Let’s think about it.”
“Hugh!” Savannah flew out the front door and wrapped her arms around him.
“Hey, Vanny. Where’s Jack?” Hugh kissed her cheek.
“He’s down at the barn with Dad.”
Savannah’s auburn hair flowed to the middle of her back. She flashed a bright smile at Brianna and folded her in her arms. “Bree! I am so glad to finally meet you.” She looked at Hugh out of the corner of her eye. “I told you you’d find her when you weren’t looking.”
“Hi.” Brianna put her hand on Layla’s back. “This is Layla. Layla, say hello to Savannah. Savannah is Hugh’s sister.”
“Hi, Savannah,” Layla reached up to touch Savannah’s hair. “Your hair is pretty.”
“Thank you. Your hair is pretty, too.” Savannah whispered to Bree, “She’s adorable.”
Layla jumped up and down. “Guess what?” Before Savannah could answer, she squealed, “We’re marrying Hugh today!”
Savannah laughed. “I know! I’m so excited!”
“Savannah, are you sure you’re okay with us getting married tonight?” Brianna put her hand on Layla’s shoulder.
“Oh my gosh, really? Bree, you’re going to be my sister-in-law. Do you know how many years I spent with just brothers? Now I have five sisters in my life. I’m thrilled. We all are.
“Come on inside.” Savannah took Layla’s hand and walked through the open foyer to the living room, where all of Hugh’s siblings and their significant others were waiting.
Brianna hugged Treat and Max, and Max introduced her to the others. Hugh loved seeing his family embrace her and Layla. Brianna smiled at Hugh over her shoulder.
“You’ve gone all googly-eyed on me.” Treat appeared by his side.
“Yeah. I probably have,” Hugh admitted.
“Brianna’s great. She and Max really hit it off.”
“I know.” Hugh watched Lacy hug Brianna. Lacy’s golden tan set off her thick blond corkscrew curls. Layla reached up and sprang one of Lacy’s curls.
Treat put his arm around Hugh. “Are you ready to be a husband?”
“More than you can ever imagine.” The truth of his words nearly pulled tears from his eyes. He swallowed past the lump of love that had lodged in his throat.
“And you’re adopting Layla? I’m proud of you, Hugh. I wondered if you’d ever settle down,” Treat said in a serious tone.
“Says the man who was almost forty when he got married,” Hugh teased.
“I was waiting for the right woman.” Treat nodded toward Max. “By the way, what’s up with no ring, you cheapskate?”
