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“Seeing you both so happy goes a long way,” Forrest agreed. “Why don’t we start planning a party for the familiesto celebrate with you? When will you be back in South Carolina?”

“Later today, actually,” Rhett replied. “During the staff meeting yesterday we all sorted out a schedule for me to work remotely a couple weeks at a time. Trina needs to be more hands on at the Inn.”

“And you’re only a few hours away if there’s an issue,” Darlene noted.

“Exactly,” Rhett confirmed.

“Would you look at that,” Darlene said. “We raised him right. He knows how to find a work-life balance.”

His dad grunted and rolled his eyes. “I think you and I did pretty good.”

“We think you did awesome,” Rhett said.

His father shook his head. “Quit sucking up. I want the whole story.”

“We both do,” his mom confirmed.

“It’s pretty cut and dried,” Rhett said.

When he glanced at her, she gave him a subtle nod to spin the tale. She’d listen and echo it as needed.

“It was kind of a domino effect,” he began. “We’ve been reconnecting since I’ve been spending more time in the area. She and Harper are close.” His parents were hanging on his every word. “The more we talked, the more we realized how much we had in common.”

“Well, of course you do,” Darlene murmured.

“It’s not an oodles of romance story, Mom. Sorry.”

She flicked that aside. “It doesn’t need to be. As long as it’s what you both want.”

“It is,” Trina interjected. “My parents have been pushing me to marry. It’s been awkward at best,” she admitted. “We sort of stumbled into the idea, but it felt right. Rhett is an amazing man. Getting to know him as an adult has been wonderful. I’m thrilled to be his wife.”

“I’m equally thrilled to be her husband,” he said.

“Well, your father and I will host a reception for you,” Darlene said. “Will your parents come? It’s been a while since we’ve seen them.”

“I’m sure they would love to attend,” Trina replied. “Once they get over the shock that we eloped.”

“I’m not going to tell him for you,” Forrest warned. “But when he calls me in a temper demanding to know what the hell you were thinking to take this step without even meeting them first, I’ve got your back.”

“You couldn’t make it sound a bit less ominous?” Rhett asked.

Forrest laughed. “Maybe you should think about a honeymoon in Italy. Spend some time with her parents. I’m sure that would go a long way to smoothing things over.”

“The whole reason we eloped was because neither one of us has time for a honeymoon right now,” Rhett said.

“Oh?” Darlene was clearly skeptical. “That’s the whole reason.”

“I’m not pregnant,” Trina blurted out. “If that was a concern.”

“Well hooray for traditional and orderly timing,” Forrest joked.

Beside her, Rhett seemed to have lost the storyline. “Would you like to see the ring he chose?” Trina held her hand up, waiting for the camera’s focus to adjust.

“My word, that’s lovely,” Darlene gushed. “Good choice. It’s beautiful on you, Trina.”

“I love it.” She swallowed. “Almost as much as I love your son.”

Darlene blinked rapidly and Trina hoped those were happy tears.