“Holly, everything is going to work out. I don’t know how it’s going to, but it will. God is in the details of your life. He sent your brother to our family. You’re a part of our family too, sweet pea. I hope you know thatStan and I love you like you’re one of our own. We will always be here for you.”
I wipe my tears away and lunge forward, wrapping Momma T in a hug, once again crying on her shoulder.
“I love you, too,” I choke out as emotions clog my throat.
Momma T starts talking into my hair, her arms still wrapped around me in a motherly embrace of my dreams. “Sweet pea, you’re an amazing catch. You’re intelligent, you work hard, and you’re sweet and loving to those close to you, not to mention you’re drop-dead gorgeous. Mateo would be a fool to not fall in love with you!”
The question weighing on my mind bursts forth in a hoarse whisper. “But will he stay? Or will he eventually leave me?”
She tightens her hold before letting go. I lean back and look into her twinkling eyes.
“You’ll have to find out, Holly dearest. Spouses need to communicate. I can only help you be more prepared to do so. Watch his actions today and tomorrow. Watch how he pays attention to you and caters to you. Watch what he says without words, and then talk to him. I think that will answer the rest of your questions and put your worries to rest.”
I sigh and lean over, cuddling into her side. For the second time in two days, someone is braiding my hair.
This time, it’s the woman who has been more of a mother to me than my own.
Chapter 37
McDonald
Mateo
The whole family and most of the town have gathered together for the afternoon. I spent the morning working on the farm and catching up on paperwork. I was finally able to skip out on farm duties to pick up Holly from Stan and Momma T’s.
She’s been quiet all afternoon, but hasn’t stopped watching me. It would be creepy, except she’s my wife, and I’m not going to complain about her watching me. Hopefully, it has something to do with what she and Momma T talked about earlier today. Momma T came up earlier, gave me a hug, and whispered, “Love her fiercely.”
I’m not quite sure what that was about, but I’m taking Momma T’s words of wisdom to heart. She’s yet to steer me wrong.
And this evening, it’s like Holly's heart is calling to mine. I can’t look away from her, ready to help the minute she expresses a need, and waiting until a twitch of her brow betrays what she desires.
Am I a goner for my wife?
You bet I am.
Seeing her here in Oregon feels so right, and seeing her with my family feels perfect.
But right now, her smile is looking a little weary, and let’s be honest; I’m tired of sharing my wife. We need to escape.
I grab a brownie from the dessert table and head over to where she’s talking with Hudson, at a side table away from the crowd of people in the backyard who surround my mami.
I wave the napkin holding the brownie in front of her nose as I step up behind her. “Want a brownie?” I whisper in her ear.
She looks up at me, her smile wilting. “Thanks, but I’m good.”
“You sure? They’re delicious.”
This time, mischief tints her smile. “I may or may not have eaten three while I made them with Momma T.”
Hudson pats his stomach. “Hand that brownie over here, boy. I’ll eat it for you.”
I shake my head and take a bite. “Get your own, old man. Don’t you need to get your steps in today?”
Hudson guffaws. “Holly, when Mateo gets old, you better remember this day and tell him to get his own brownie when he asks one of your grandkids for one. It’ll be the best entertainment for me while I’m up in heaven.”
Holly lets out a strangled laugh, her cheeks pink. “I think you’re counting your chicks before they hatch.”
Hudson winks. “I think I’ve counted right. Now I’ll leave you two lovebirds. Mateo, you need to be wooing your wife, young man,” he says as he stands and grabs his cane.
