Page 114 of Forged in Steele

“Every day is a beautiful day with this little one.” She smiled at him.

He felt that way about being with Bristol. He didn’t know how he could’ve left her in the first place. But he was about to rectify that.

He strode down the hill to the barn where the haymow doors were flung open and the large space held folding tables and chairs. Party lights twinkled above and balloons with curly streamers bobbed around them. The thick wooden floor had been swept but pieces of hay clung to the cracks. The space smelled like hay mixed with a tangy barbecue sauce.

He searched for Bristol and found her at a bar near the back of the space. He wound through the guests, greeting the people he knew, but not stopping for anything. He would soon hurl from nervousness if he didn’t get this out of the way. She wore shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops. Yes, this was his Bristol. The woman he’d met at camp. She was filling red plastic cups with iced tea and lemonade for guests. She handed a cup to a little boy then looked up.

Their gazes locked. She smiled, the one that sent his heart racing. He moved even faster toward her. Her dad stepped in his path.

“Glad you could make it, Jared,” Gene said as if oblivious to Jared’s path.

Jared had hoped to say hi to Bristol before talking to her dad, but he also wanted to get talking to this very intimidating man over with. “Sir.”

“Seriously, it’s Gene. Not sir.”

“Could we talk for a minute?” Jared asked, but it came out in more of a croak. “Maybe away from everyone. And it might be good if your dad came too.”

“Ah, that kind of talk.” Gene grinned. “With the way you and Bristol have been inseparable lately, I figured this would be coming soon. If you went in for that sort of thing, that is. I’m glad to see that you do. Shows respect.”

“Yes, sir, I mean, Gene.” Jared pointed across the room. “I see Mr. Steele going out back. Maybe we could join him.”

“He’s going for another platter of meat, so your timing is perfect.” Gene clapped Jared on the back and urged him through the crowd.

The trip out back was a blur, but Jared glanced to the right to confirm the cooler he’d arranged to have made by Bristol’s mother sat just where she said she would leave it.

Bristol’s grandad stood at one of three large grills, his tongs holding a chicken breast seared in grill stripes and covered in barbecue sauce. “Just in time to help.”

Gene took the platter and held it out to his father. “Jared has something he wants to talk to us about.”

“’Bout time.” Artie plopped the chicken onto the platter.

“I’m not sure if you know what I want to talk about,” Jared said.

“’Course we do.” He tonged a chicken thigh. “You can’t fool law enforcement or former law enforcement officers very often.”

“At least not good ones, like us.” Gene grinned.

Jared looked at Gene. “Then you know I want to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“What?” Gene’s voice shot up. “I thought you just wanted to ask about dating her.”

Jared’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. “No. No. I—”

“Just kidding, man.” Gene jabbed Jared in the arm. “I knew this is what you wanted.”

“Me too,” Artie said. “And it isn’t any of my business, but I approve. Figured the girl would end up marrying someone in law enforcement, and I’m glad it’s a fed like you who won’t be patrolling the streets every day.”

“Agreed,” Gene said. “Not with the way our city is struggling with the increase in crime.”

Not an answer Jared had expected. “I hope it’s more than that. That you know I will be by Bristol’s side in everything for the rest of our lives.”

Artie put down his tongs and closed his grill. He gripped Jared’s shoulder. “You’re a fine man, that’s clear, and I don’t think you’ll ever hurt Bristol again. But if you do…” He tightened his grip.

Gene nodded at the grill. “We won’t be grilling just chicken, if you get our drift.”

Jared swallowed. “I do and you have nothing to worry about.”

Gene held out his hand and gripped Jared’s. “Then welcome to the family, son.”

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