Page 74 of Wild For You
“I’m not sure I’m ready.”
“It’s here whenever you want it. There isn’t a time limit.”
Taking a deep breath, I let the magnitude of the gesture settle in my mind. He could have given the ring to any of my sisters’ husbands, but he wanted me to have it. And that was more than I ever expected.
He left the office with a warm grin, and I took a minute to collect myself before joining the group. Everyone was starting to situate in their seats, and I walked into the kitchen, where my mom stood placing the stuffed peppers into a large serving dish.
Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her and said, “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” She reached up and patted my cheek like she always did.
“Can I help you carry anything?”
She handed me the bread basket while she carried the peppers, and I trailed behind her over to the dining table.
After setting the bowl down in front of Nash, I rested my crutch against the wall and took my seat on the opposite side of the table, beside Kelsey.
She leaned toward me as everyone started plating their meals. “Everything okay?”
I paused and took in her gentle, caring features. Her eyes held a warmth and concern that only a mother could. “Everything is great. Dad and I talked.”
“Oh. The stuff we talked about?” she whispered as I grabbed a slice of bread from the basket.
“Yep.”
“I’m so relieved you did that.”
“Thank you for pushing me.”
“What are you two whispering about over there? Something you should share with the class?” Rory asked from the other end of the table. Even now, she was in teacher mode.
“None of your beeswax, Aurora Borealis,” I told her.
“Don’t call me that,” she huffed and smacked her hands on the table.
Kelsey started laughing beside me, breaking the tension around the table and taking everyone’s attention off what the two of us could’ve been whispering about.
Once our plates were loaded and everyone started eating, I slipped a hand under the table and gripped Kelsey’s upper thigh.
Her eyes darted over to mine, and they were as wide as the rim of her water glass.
“Thank you,” I mouthed, and all her rigidity slipped away.
“You’re welcome,” she returned, and I squeezed her thigh once more, then went back to eating.
Once dessert was brought out, I announced that I was going to show Kelsey the event venue before it started raining, since the clouds were making it dark outside, and I grabbed my crutch. Mom promised she’d save us a slice of her pie and a scoop of Kelsey’s banana pudding.
Outside the mudroom door, I gestured for Kelsey to follow me down the pebbled path. The storm was definitelyheading in our direction, so we made our way into the barn, where we stored the UTVs. On a set of hooks hung the keys, each numbered to match a particular vehicle. I grabbed the key for the one that had a zippered rain barrier, in case it poured before we made it home.
The UTV zoomed down the path between the fields, the journey taking about fifteen minutes before the large two-story barn came into view. During its renovation, buildings were added along the back for a full-sized kitchen and bathrooms. There were also luxury suites on the upper floors for wedding guests to get ready.
There was one particular spot I loved the most though. When the barn was a dilapidated mess, it was where I used to play. Autumn said she didn’t let the crews touch it when they were renovating.
“Come on. We have to be quick,” I said as I parked the vehicle and jumped out, ignoring the crutch in the back seat. Kelsey rolled her eyes when I walked without assistance.
“Stubborn,” she mumbled, because she knew I hated using the thing if I could avoid it.
“This way,” I said as I tugged her hand inside the barn. A few people from the cleaning crew were inside. A huge Greek wedding reception had taken place the night before, and the event ran until the early morning.
