Page 93 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

Then she looked at Callum. “Yes, I will marry you. I don’t care when. It can be tomorrow or next spring. I’ll still want to marry you as much as I do right now, because I have fallen in love with you, too.”

Smiling, he stood and removed the ring from the box. She offered her hand and he slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly.

Chapter 16

Marlowe had arranged for a family gathering at the mansion to allow Hazel to get to know everyone better. Over the last few days, he had relished in living with Hazel and Evie as a family. They had decided to stay at the inn a while longer to enjoy some downtime. Callum thought a get-together would be a perfect opportunity to show Hazel his home and let her decide if it was somewhere she wanted to live. They didn’t have to live in the mansion. They could build something on the ranch. It was Sunday afternoon on a sunny, clear day.

“You all live here?” Hazel asked when the sprawling mansion appeared. Made of rock and wood to match the rugged landscape and the Mustang Valley Mountains in the distance, the multiple gables of the roofline and three stories of windows and balconies gave evidence to its size.

“Yes. My mom and dad live on the first floor in one wing. There are guest quarters in the other wing. Ace, Grayson and Ainsley have the three wings on the second floor, and Asher, Marlowe and I have the third floor wings. Then there are several spaces we share, like the living areas and the library.”

He parked and got out, waiting for Hazel to get Evie out of the back. She had slept the whole way there. Now she groggily walked beside Hazel to the entrance. There were other cars here, but most were likely in the huge garage.

Inside the grand entry, Hazel took in the luxurious, floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed beam ceiling of the open living room. Callum saw most everyone was already here. The only ones missing were Grayson and Asher.

“Callum.” Marlowe came to greet them, leaving Bowie standing with a glass of wine near the rock pillars at the entrance of the large dining room.

Kerry was there with Rafe, seated on the sofa with Ainsley.

“I sent someone to get Grayson and Asher. They should be here soon.” She turned to Hazel. “So happy to see you. Looks like I talked some sense into my brother after all.”

“Thanks for that.” Hazel showed her the ring.

“Oh, that’s beautiful!” Marlowe gaped at Callum. “Everybody, Callum is getting married!” She held Hazel’s hand out for all to see.

“He’s gonna be my new daddy,” Evie said. Then, seeing the huge television, she meandered over. Ainsley changed the channel to a kid friendly show.

Hazel mouthed, Thank you.

Just then Grayson and Asher entered. All the siblings were together, a few of them attached to significant others.

Callum rarely saw Grayson. He doubted any of the others did, either.

“This is Hazel, Callum’s fiancée.” Marlowe introduced her to the two. “And her daughter, Evie.”

Grayson reached over and shook her hand. “Fianceé?”

“Hey, it’s about time.”

“And that is Asher,” Marlowe said. “He’s Rattlesnake Ridge Ranch’s foreman and a bit of a lone wolf.”

“A pleasure to meet you both. You look like a real cowboy, Asher,” Hazel said. “With the longish hair and that face, you must make all the women swoon.”

Grayson chuckled. “He’s a lone wolf. He doesn’t date.”

Asher shook his head. “Thank you for the compliment, Hazel, and it’s nice to meet you, too. Callum needs a good woman in his life. And a good daughter!”

“Thanks. What do you do, Grayson?”

“I run a first responder management agency.”

“That sounds exciting. Do you like rescuing people?”

“He likes the adrenaline rush,” Callum said.

“Yes,” Grayson said to Hazel, “Helping people is the most rewarding part.” Then he turned a disgruntled look to Callum.

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of both of you to update you on the whole situation with Dad,” Marlowe said.

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