Briar shakes her head, groaning. “Can we please banallsexual innuendos around family?”
“What’s this about sexual innuendo?” Ma asks as she enters the room carrying a casserole dish. “I certainly hope Caleb isn’t listening to whatever it is.”
“Doesn’t look like it, but apparently, hedidget an unsolicited sex-ed course from Heath,” Walker tells her, never one to shy away from stirring up trouble.
“Jensen and Briar are thinking about having another baby,” I blurt.
Okay, technically they never actually said that, but I’m all for deflecting the attention. If there’s one thing Ma can’t resist, it’s more grandbabies.
She nearly drops the casserole dish as she squeals with delight. “Really? Please say it’s true. Nothing would make me happier than another grandbaby on the way.”
“Jensen and I have talked about it, but we’re not expecting yet.” Briar quickly clarifies. “But don’t worry. When we have news, you’ll be the first to know. I would never keep that from you.” Her jab is obviously aimed at me.
Charlie leans over to whisper in my ear. “Where’s the popcorn when I need it?”
“You do realize that was a dig at me, right?” I whisper back.
She shrugs. “This is still the most entertaining dinner I’ve been to at the ranch house, and we haven’t even gotten to the main course yet.”
I can’t stop the smile that crosses my face. I love seeing her so happy, and coming to my parents’ always brightens her mood. She was over the moon when she finally got her nausea under control thanks to Ma’s box full of remedies, and we were able to start joining weekly family dinners again. Before our wedding, she used to come all the time as Briar’s friend, but it’s so much better now that she’s here with me—and there’s no more hiding how I feel about her.
“Dinner is ready on the deck, so let’s not keep your father waiting,” Mama announces before spinning on her heel and starting down the hall.
Everyone is quick to follow, no one wanting to be blamed for letting the food get cold.
I’m halfway out the door when I glance back to find Charlie standing beside the mantel in the living room, holding a picture frame in her hand.
“Everything okay? I ask.
She turns the photo toward me. It’s a picture of my dad with his parents, taken before they passed.
Charlie holds up her left hand. “Heath, did you give me your grandma’s wedding ring?”
Oh shit.
“Yeah, I did.” I hedge, moving to join her by the mantel.
There’s no use in hiding the truth. It was bound to come out eventually.
She worries her lip while studying the photo. “It’s stunning, truly. But why give me an heirloom that clearly means so much to your family?”
“Because choosing you was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.” I take her hand in mine and bring it to my chest. “And Iwanted you to have a ring that reflects how much you mean to me.”
Charlie lifts her gaze to meet mine. “But you gave it to me on our wedding day, when our marriage was meant to be nothing more than a convenience.”
“That’s right,” I state with conviction.
She stares at me, her brows furrowed as though she’s waiting for the punchline. She still doesn’t believe that I meant it when I told her I was all in from day one. Someday soon, when we’re alone and I’m convinced she’s finally ready to accept it, I’ll tell her the full truth—how I’ve wanted her for years, and that she’s the only woman I’ve ever wanted a future with.
“Heath, Charlie, don’t make us wait too long or the food will go cold,” Ma hollers from down the hall.
“Coming,” we call back in unison.
Charlie puts the frame back on the mantel, and I intertwine our fingers together as we leave the living room.
“I really do love the ring,” she murmurs. “It means so much more now that I know it belonged to your grandma.”
I smile, looking over at her. “I’m glad, because it was always meant to be yours.”
