I gasped, realizing precisely what he’d seen.
“You overstepping piece of work.” Ashton swore. “You watched us?”
“Stop your complaining.” Ford chuckled. “I took a napduring that part. And my overstepping just saved your ungrateful behind.”
I beamed at my brother-in-law, then down at my husband, and back at my brother-in-law. “Ignore him,” I said to Ford. “You have my permission to overstep any time you want.”
“An open ended invitation? You’re my favorite sister-in-law.” He grinned. “Don’t tell Lemon or Christy.” He looked down at Ashton. “This hasn’t been your year, man. Punched in the face, broken hand, broken nose, and now a gunshot wound.”
Ashton looked up at me. “I got married to the love of my life though. And she’s finally back. And we’re expecting.”
“Oh yeah.” Ford laughed. “Congrats guys.”
A rogue sob-laugh escaped my throat at their bantering, while Ashton laid against me, blood leaking out of his gunshot wound. “You Duprees.”
Ford cocked a brow. “You’re a Dupree now.”
Okay, another sob-laugh erupted. This one full of gratitude. “You’re right. I am. And I’m so happy about it.”
“Oh. I forgot one.” Ashton reached for Ford’s hand. “My brother’s alive and rocking the sober life.”
Wait. Clearly, I’d missed something big.
I was about to ask what, when the most beautiful sound broke through the night air—an ambulance siren blaring in the distance.
epilogue
TALLY
The wanderer has returned home at last, and the family gathers round with tears of gladness.
— MARY SHELLEY
Fifteen Months Later
“All right, guys.” Ashton glanced at the kids in the rearview mirror. “Remember the plan.”
“Be chill,” Theo said, straightening his tie.
“That’s right,” Ashton said. “We don’t want to give Granny a heart attack. We’re all walking in together like regular wedding guests.” I smiled at the nickname the kids had practiced for Jenny. They hadn’t had the chance to have her as a grandma yet like the rest of the Dupree grandkids. “She’s been dreaming about this day for a long time. But?” He cocked a brow.
“It’s Brooklyn and Jonah’s big day,” Charlie said next. “No making a scene when we walk in. Just whispers and hugs. And we’ll be quiet during the ceremony.”
Theo reached over and clapped Jane’s little hands together. “You get to meet our cousins, finally. They’re the best.”
“The best!” Charlie thrust her fists in the air.
“Bes!” Jane, our one-year-old mimicked her, kicking her tiny feet against her car seat.
I smiled over at Ashton who looked so handsome in his suit. His shoulder had long since healed. The only lasting evidence was a scar—which I promised made him look tough—and the memory of that night.
He turned the steering wheel of the rental Special Agent Moore had gotten us, and we rolled over a speed bump and into the parking lot of Brooklyn’s wedding venue—a fancy barn overlooking the James River. When the car was in park, everyone went quiet. Ashton and I turned to face the kids.
I looked at their excited faces. “Janie.” I wiggled her foot. “You’re just the splash of cream in our espresso.” I glanced at Ash. “You and Daddy.”
Ash shook his head. “I still can’t believe she came out blond.” He’d wanted her to look like me. But she was all Ash—blond and blue-eyed.
I pressed a kiss to his lips. “She looks like her daddy, and I couldn’t be happier.” It was true. I loved Theo and Charlie with all my heart—as equally as I loved our little Jane. But the fact that I’d been able to choose with Jane was a feeling and a freedom I’d never take for granted. “She’s going to be gorgeous.”
