A charge of guilt shot through him as an image of Maverick came to mind. These were likely reasons his brother wanted Ava too. Aside from the fact that she was stunning in the most natural way. Gentle and witty and fun to be around. She had a stubborn streak in her, one he’d seen more than once, and heaven help him, he liked that too.
It turned out that her reservation about taking the room here at Betty’s was as simple as not wanting to accidentally reveal the family’s secret to her.“It would be just like me to stumble in here and accidentally say something that tells all,”she’d said. But once Richard told her that, as it turned out, Betty already knew, Ava jumped at the chance to rent the room.
“If I could get everyone’s attention,” Trenton said, lifting a hand over his head. “I asked Memphis to get Maverick on the line so he could join us too.” He nodded at Memphis, who held his phone so everyone could see him on the video call.
“Hey,” Maverick said with a wave from his bed. “Wish I was with you guys. I’m bored as crap laying around here day in and day out. I’d like to take this moment to thank a few people who’ve kept me from slipping into oblivion,” Maverick said from the screen.
Richard shook his head. “Tsk.”
“A big thanks to Memphis, Emmitt, Andie, and Trenton…hmmm, who else am I missing? That’s it. They’re the ones who care enough to come hang out with a poor guy stuck in bed with a serious injury.”
Richard squirmed from the guilt that settled over him. He hadn’t been out to visit Maverick, but he’d done other things. “Hey, I’ve called.”
“That’s not the same,” Maverick hissed.
“And who do you think’s been staying on top of all your medical needs?” Richard reminded.
“Yeah, about that,” Maverick piped up once more. “I requested awoman,not a dude. I refuse to believe they didn’t have a female within a fifty mile radius that could attend to me.”
Richard grinned. “We’re out in the country, man. You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.” It was a line he’d overheard Don and Mable saying to their grandkids. That was not how Richard and his siblings were raised, but he mused they may have been better off if they had.
Trenton shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He looked…nervous?
“Hey,” Richard said, “let’s get back on track. Trenton, you have something you wanted to talk about?”
“Thank you, yes,” Trenton said, “and before the ladies get back.” He rubbed his palms together and worried at his bottom lip.
Richard leaned forward as curiosity kindled within him.
“Richard,” Trenton said, turning his gaze on him. “Iwasgoing to save this question for you, specifically, since you’re the oldest and, in essence, represent your father in his absence. But as I considered it, I realized that it was a fair question to ask you all. You’re the important men in her life, and that makes you important to me too.”
In his father’s absence? Just where was Trenton going with this? But then it clicked, and a wave of emotion rippled through him.
“I plan to ask Andie for her hand in marriage, and I’d like your blessing.”
It remained silent for a beat as the brothers looked from one to the next, watching for any objection. Emmitt was first to break the silence.
“That’s awesome, man,” he said, moving in to pat his shoulder. “You’ve got my blessing.”
Richard was quick to get to his feet, but Memphis had already made his way over with Maverick on the line. “This is great,” Memphis was saying, but Maverick whistled through the line.
“Hey, thisisAndie we’re talking about, right? Are you sure you want to marry her? I mean, she and her little sleepover buddies once put toothpaste and marshmallows between my toes while I slept.”
Richard moved in to give his approval next. “Of course you have our blessing,” he said as they clasped hands. “I’m sure you’ll make her very happy. Heck, you already do.”
Trenton gave him a knowing look. “Thank you. I’ll never forget the way you helped us out. If you ever need that favor returned…”
Richard thought back on the action he’d been compelled to take when, in an effort to protect the family’s secret, Andie had nearly scared Trenton away. With as precarious as his current situation was, Richard figured he just might need Trenton’s help at some point. “I might have to take you up on that one day,” Richard said with a laugh. “But honestly, I was glad to do it. Andie’s lucky to have you. We all are.”
Just then, a car door slammed shut out front, followed by another. Voices carried over the porch, sounds of chatter and laughs.
A significant change took place in Richard’s body each time Ava came near. Adrenaline, anticipation, and when others were close by, a sense of nervousness. And guilt, as unfounded as it was. Always the guilt.
“Gotta go,” Memphis blurted as he moved to disconnect the call.
“Hey, wait—” came Maverick, but it was already too late. Memphis tapped the screen and shoved the phone in his pocket.
“Let’s finish getting the rooms cleaned up,” Richard suggested. He didn’t want the women to be suspicious over their small gathering in the one room. Also, Richard needed a moment to mentally prepare himself. He knew that women liked to open up to one another, and Ava had just spent hours with two very kind, very capable, and possibly very prying women.
