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Tate took her hand and rubbed his fingers over the bracelet. “Everything’s wonderful. I just wish Mom was sitting next to Dad when we tell him our news.”

Kelly brought Tate’s hand to her mouth, kissing it gently. “She’s always with you and knows what’s happening.”

“You’re right and I know she’d love you too.”

Kelly leaned over the console and pressed her lips against his. Tate cupped her head, deepening the kiss as if he didn’t want to let her go. She didn’t want him to either, but they were here for a reason. She broke the kiss. “As much as I want to continue this, we need to speak to your dad. And making out in your car is so 1970s.”

Tate laughed. “That’s our thing though isn’t it? Doing all the traditions that are being forgotten.” He opened his door. “Come on, let’s go.”

She met Tate at the front of his car and electricity tingled through her when their palms connected. They entered the house and Tate led her through the hallway straight into the living room. Trenton was sitting in a recliner watching the big-screen TV.

“Hey, Dad,” Tate said as he approached his dad.

“Tate. You’re home earlier than I expected. Mrs. Hewitt left when Tyler got home.” He peered around Tate. “Kelly? Is that you?”

“Hi, Trenton, how are you?”

“Good. How are you?” He looked between the two of them and his eyebrow rose. “What’s going on?”

Tate walked over and slung his arm around her shoulder. “Dad, we have some news.” Trenton sat a little straighter. “I asked Kelly to marry me and she said yes.”

Kelly leaned into Tate’s side and watched the tears well in his dad’s eyes.

“Tate, Kelly, that’s wonderful news. Congratulations.” He struggled to get out of his chair, but he succeeded and came over to give them a hug. “I’m really happy for the both of you. Wait here, I’ve got something for you.”

He left them where they were standing. “Where’s he going?” Kelly asked, watching Trenton’s slow walk out of the room.

“I’ve no idea.”

“Should you follow him?”

Tate dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Nope, he’s getting better and better and I don’t want him to think that I don’t trust him to be able to move around the house by himself.”

Trenton returned to the room a few minutes later and walked up to the both of them. He held out his hand toward Tate. In his hand was a black square box and Kelly’s heart jumped a beat. “Tate, I think your mom would be happy for you to have this.”

Tate gripped her hand a little tighter, but didn’t move to accept the box his dad was holding out. Why was that?

“Tate?” she murmured.

“Are you sure, Dad? What about Tyler? Shouldn’t he have this?”

Tyler?What did he have to do with the box Trenton held? And why should he have it? Damn this family was complicated but she couldn’t wait to be a part of it.

“Tyler will be fine with it, I promise. Don’t you worry.” Trenton waved his hand again and Tate took it this time. “I hope you two will be as happy as your mom and I were. I’m proud of you, son.”

Tate enveloped his dad in a hug and Kelly wiped the corner of her eye. “Thanks, Dad. I know we will be.”

“Well, I’ll leave you two to it.”

Once again, Trenton walked away, this time to his room. Kelly faced Tate when they were alone. “Is that what I think it is?”

Tate ran a finger over the box before smiling at her. “Yes.” He flipped the lid and nestled amongst the black velvet interior was a diamond ring. The setting was beautiful in its simplicity. The center stone was raised with two smaller diamonds on either side. It wasn’t flashy and she loved it.

“Oh, it’s beautiful, Tate.”

“It is, but if you want something else we can go look in Houston.”

Kelly reached out and cupped his cheek. “No, I don’t want anything else. This is perfect.”

The corners of his eyes creased as he smiled and he lifted it out and slipped the box in his pocket. She knew what was coming next, yet she couldn’t stop her heart from pounding out of her chest when he used his free hand to lift her left hand up.

“I know we’ve been through this, but let me ask you the right way this time.” He rested the ring at the tip of her finger. “Kelly Turner, will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

Tate slipped the ring on and it fit her like a glove. A sense of rightness engulfed her. Against all odds, her fling had become her happily forever after.

The End