Page 14 of After this Summer (Seasons in Montana: Summer #11)

BEAU

BEAU: Come outside.

P ocketing my phone, I warm my hands by the fire I started and wait for Indie. A to-go box with dessert and two forks sits on top of a little table I wedged between the lawn chairs I chose over a blanket on the ground.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were back,” Indie says, pulling a sweater on and wrapping it around herself.

“Just got here.” And I couldn’t wait.

She looks around and raises an eyebrow. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

“Today was important,” I tell her, taking her hand in mine and rubbing my thumb across her knuckles. “I went to see your parents.”

“You what?” She gapes at me. “You went to Tennessee? Today? Why would you…”

“I told you I had to do something.”

“You could have just called. Oh my gosh, you must be exhausted. Let’s sit down.”

She starts for the chairs but I tug her gently until she stops and looks at me. “Wait.”

“Beau, you flew to my hometown. Did Mama try to feed you? I bet she did. Gah! I miss her cooking.”

“She did.” I grin, brushing a stray hair back from her face before pulling a small box from my pocket, holding a ring her mama helped pick out.

“Beau, this isn’t real, this is?—”

“Marrying you is very much real, Stunner. You’ll be my wife and you’ll be wearing my ring.” When she opens her mouth to argue, I add, “Just because it’s temporary doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”

When I’m sure she isn’t going to protest, I drop down on one knee and take her hand.

“You don’t have to do this,” she whispers, but I can see the way her eyes are shining with tears, and even if she denies it, I know she feels it too .

I just gotta get her to admit it.

“The night I met you was the best night of my life and it’s only gotten better with each day that passes. It’s not the way you imagined but, Indie, will you marry me? And will you give me the honor of trying to make you fall in love with me?”

With a surprised laugh, she nods. “I think I’m excited to marry you, Heartthrob, even if it’s just for a while.”

Pulling out the simple white gold band with the modest cushion cut diamond—one I plan to upgrade when she’s finally all in—I slip it on her finger and stand.

“Me too.”

Kissing her slowly, I tease my tongue against hers, loving the way she melts into my arms as she tilts her face up toward mine.

“But what happens when my hands are swollen because I’m a million months pregnant?”

Without letting her go, I fish the small white silicone band from my pocket. “Then you can wear this—you can even change the color.”

“It’s absurd how perfect you are, Beau Sterling.”

“Not perfect. Just trying like hell to get you to like me.” I grin and she hugs me, her face turned to the side and resting on my chest with her belly pressed between us. “Is it working?” I stage whisper.

“Maybe, but you’ll have to wait till our wedding night,” she taunts, sauntering backward toward the house with a flirty smile.

“Which one?”

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

I practically have to drag myself to work the next morning, my body tired and my eyes gritty from a full day of travel after getting settled. We’d moved our impromptu engagement celebration to the couch with the cake, a blanket, and a movie. She fell asleep watching fifteen minutes in.

I should have taken her to her room right then, but I’d let the movie play, soaking in the quiet and the feeling of home.

Contentment.

My house had never seemed too big before Indie arrived, and even though it’s only been a couple of days, I can feel her everywhere.

Her energy.

The smell of her perfume.

It’s intoxicating—just like when I held her on the dance floor back in December. A part of me knew she was about to realign my world. I just didn’t realize exactly what that would mean.

And honestly, I still don’t. I just know that she’s already halfway through her pregnancy and with a temporary label on our marriage, I don’t want to wait to savor all the moments with her.

“Everything all right?” my mother asks from behind me, her voice making me jump and spin on my heels.

“Hey, Mom. I didn’t hear you come over.”

Her smile is kind, her dark hair streaked with silver—no doubt from raising the lot of us—and despite her small stature, I’ve always seen her as a pillar of strength.

Pressing her palm to my face, she studies me. “You look tired. Everything all right with Indie and the baby? You know I don’t want to overstep, but I’m happy to check in on her.”

Sagging under the weight of her stare, I tell her the truth.

Most of it.

“I asked her to marry me, then flew to Blackstone Falls to talk to her father. I don’t want you to think I’m doing it just because of the baby. I’m not. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Beau Patrick Sterling, I did not plan on crying this morning,” she says, wiping at her eyes, her smile brilliant. “Oh my goodness, this is so exciting. A baby and a wedding.”

“You didn’t ask me if she said yes.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “You look tired, not sad. Can I help? Are you looking to get married before the baby comes?”

“Yeah, something small and intimate with our family and hers. If we want to do something bigger down the road we can, but this will just be for us.”

“Well, you let me know what I can do. I don’t want to overstep, but I’m more than happy to do whatever needs to be done so you can enjoy your day.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll talk to Indie and I’ll let you know.”

“Good. And Beau?”

“Yes?”

“Bring her to dinner. She’ll have to get used to our chaos sooner or later.”

“I’ll talk to her.”

Looks like my bride-to-be and I have a lot to talk about.

I just hope it doesn’t scare her off.