His eyes are blazing with intensity, and I know it’s my turn to say something. I lick my lips and open my mouth to speak, but he’s not done.
“And I’m madly, deeply, stupidly in love with her.”
I hear a muffled squeal behind me, and I know it’s Monroe. I’m so happy; I want to cry. Moisture builds behind my eyes, slowly spilling down my frozen cheeks.
“I love you too,” I choke out. “And I’m so cold.”
He laughs, leaning down to brush a kiss to my lips. “Let’s go inside, and I’ll warm you up.”
Duke wraps his arms around us both. “Fine! I’ll be happy for you. But only if you name your first kid after me.”
“No,” we say in unison.
37
SAM
Afew hours later, I’m tickling the twins to try to get them to give me back my cowboy hat. Their adorable toddler protests and giggles are filling the cabin. Dolly is watching us with a smile from the sofa.
“Dolly! Did you put the turkey gravy mix somewhere in here?” Rosie calls.
Dolly stands and walks toward the kitchen. “I’m not sure. Let me look.”
“Birdie, please, if I give you a dollar can I have my hat back?”
Birdie debates my proposal, looking at her twin. They’re probably not old enough to understand the concept of money yet.
“Don’t take the deal, Birdie. He’s being cheap,” Duke says as he walks in and plops down on the sofa.
The girls immediately drop my hat and run toward their uncle. He scoops them both up, sitting them on his lap. Bonnie has a comb in her hand, which she starts using to brush through his hair.
“You know, I’m almost over it. I can tell you make her happy.” He shakes his head. “I mean, now that I really thinkabout it, I’m glad it’s you. And I am an idiot for not seeing it sooner.”
“There wasn’t much to see. Nothing happened until after she moved in.”
“Girls! Snack? Mommy has goldfish,” Rosie calls.
The twins bolt. Duke leans back, waving a hand. “There was plenty to see. You always wanted to hang around the house instead of going off exploring on the ranch. You always wanted to stay over at my place, even though Buzz would’ve let us get away with more shit and didn’t hoard his liquor like my dad. You beat up Jed Thompson. Remember that? I didn’t put two and two together until now. I thought it was just because you liked getting in fights, but when word got around that he was going to ask Dolly to prom, you started a fight with him and broke his nose.” He shakes his head.
“I was just too wrapped up in my shit to see it. I should have seen it. I should have known. But at the end of the day, I’m glad it was you. I’m glad it is you. You’ve always been my brother. I know you think you don’t have any family, Seymour, but that shit is insulting.”
My throat feels tight.
“I would say take good care of her, but I know I don’t have to.”
“No, you don’t. But I will.”
“She’s probably gonna make you wait, you know, for marriage. You made her wait, and Dolly doesn’t let shit like that slide.”
“I can wait. She’s worth waiting for.”
“And Sam? I’m glad you’re happy to. I want that for you. I love you, man.”
“I love you too, brother.”
While we’re gatheredaround the incredible Thanksgiving meal that mostly Rosie and Dolly prepared, my chest is tight with emotion. I’ve always felt accepted by the Redfords, but I feel even more so a part of the family now, like a permanent fixture instead of a temporary one.
It’s an odd thing, being a part of a group after years of being one member of a dying duo. For so many years, it was only my grandfather and me.
