Myra giggles. “He doesn’t have a rock.” Then she sobers. “Do you, Uncle Maverick?”
“If he’s got any taste, he does.” Kate scoffs.
Myra’s looking at me with puppy dog eyes and I can’t resist. “No, I don’t, sweetheart. But I do have a pretty ring for Ellie in my pocket.”
“Can I see it?” she touches her palms together and I’m done. I reach for the ring inside the small interior pocket of my jeans, rise, and let her have a look at it. Her eyes widen as does her smile. “When are you going to give it to her?”
“I think he already has.” Gunner slips in there, with a suggestive tone. Austin elbows him, but they’re all chuckling at me.
“I reckon I ought to ask her daddy for permission first. What do you think, doll?”
“Why do you need to ask her daddy?”
“Well, it’s customary to do that, if you’re a gentleman.”
“Are you a gentleman?”
“Not from what I heard.” Austin interjects. “He already knocked her up once.”
My face falls. If it weren’t for little Myra sitting right there, I’d clock him one.
“Take it easy, Austin.” Blake warns.
Austin lifts a hand. “Sorry, man. That was out of line.”
I let it go, knowing that Austin is just goofing. He doesn’t mean it to sound as crass as it does. And I’m one to talk. I once made fun of him when he had a fever and puked all night and mama and daddy had to take him to the hospital because he passed out. When he came home I accused him of being a drunk. Daddy smacked me upside the head and told me to go to my room for the rest of the night in thanks.
“I don’t think that you need to ask her daddy for permission, Uncle Maverick. As long as you invite him to the wedding and let him invite all his friends.”
“Well, I’m going to do that, anyway, sugar. But I still think that Ellie would appreciate it more if I asked first.”
“Have you met her daddy yet, there, partner?” Austin asks.
I give him a look. “No.”
“Then what are you carrying that ring around for?” Blake asks. “You’re liable to lose it, fool.”
Myra stares at it. “I can keep it for you until you’re ready. I have a secret hiding place.”
“What else have you got in this secret hiding place, baby?” Zack asks, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Well, I kept Auntie Kate’s ring there for you, remember?”
“Oh, there?” Zack chuckles. “Believe me, man, you don’t want her hiding it there.”
“Where did she hide it?” Kate asks, smiling.
“Tissue box…with…used tissues in it.” Zack answers, pursing his lips together into a smirk.
“Well, nobody would look there.” Myra states.
“She’s got you there, Zack.” Austin scoffs.
“You’re such a smart girl, baby.” Kate says, winking at her.
“Only problem is, now it’s not a secret.” Blake says to Myra kindly.
“I have others.” She shrugs, still holding the ring. I’m surprised by how careful she is with it.
