Page 6 of Brokered Betrayals
Eddie chuckled. “Is that a written rule or something you guys made up?”
“Honor among brothers,” Royce replied. “And naming our little girl Darla just feels right to me.”
“You always shared a special bond with your Aunt Tipsy. She was a hell of a woman who always did the right thing.”
Royce cocked his head to the side. “I thought the two of you hated one another.”
“Hate’s a strong word.” Eddie placed both hands on his lower back and stretched his spine. “It’s true she hated the things I did,but I don’t think Darla ever fully gave up on me. And I respected the hell out of her when she stepped up for you kids after I went to prison. Did you know she wrote me letters while I was locked up?”
Royce’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. “No. She never told us that.”
Eddie nodded. “She didn’t write every week, but close to it.”
“Why?”
“She kept me updated on what was going on with you kids, and sometimes she included photographs. Watching you guys grow up without me was hard as hell.” Eddie swallowed hard and averted his eyes for a few moments before meeting Royce’s gaze again. “It was especially hard when you refused to live with me after my release.” He held up his hand before Royce could respond. “I understood why, but I still hated it. You made the correct choice then, and you’ve continued to make the best decisions for yourself ever since.” Eddie’s eyes misted over, and he rubbed the moisture away with a knuckle. “Anyway, I found the stash of letters from Tipsy when I packed up my place to move. Do you want them?”
Royce was incredibly moved that Eddie had kept them. “Of course. Thank you.”
“I’ll bring them over after I figure out which one of the boxes they’re in.”
“Appreciate it.”
Eddie’s eyes got suspiciously moist again when he hooked an arm around Royce’s neck and pulled him in. “I’m turning into a big, old softy.”
“Bet your lady likes it.”
“Sure does,” Eddie said. “I’m a very lucky man.”
“That you are. You have a beautiful new home to share with a wonderful woman.”
“I can’t wait to show you the backyard. It’s too dark to get the full effect, but it’s the perfect spot for family barbecues or an intimate wedding.”
Royce cocked a brow. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
Eddie worried his bottom lip between his teeth and looked behind him to make sure no one was standing outside the bedroom. “I’m going to ask Jo to marry me,” he whispered.
Royce grinned like an idiot at his father. “That’s the best news. When?”
“I haven’t worked out the details yet,” Eddie replied. “But soon.”
“Don’t wait too long, or you’ll talk yourself out of it.” Sawyer’s and Jo’s combined laughter carried down the hallway and made Royce smile. “That woman is crazy about you, and you deserve this happiness.”
“Thank you, son. That means so much coming from you.” Eddie wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and cleared his throat. “Now, let’s hang these televisions up so you fellas can be on your way. I’m sure you have things you’d rather do.”
Royce chuckled. “Sounds to me like you’re trying to get rid of us so you can have Jo all to yourself.”
Winking, Eddie said, “You’re not wrong.”
Royce picked up the drill, flexed his bicep, and pulled the trigger a few times to make it whir. “Get out your gun show, Eddie, and let’s make our favorite people swoon.”
Sawyer greeted Kelsey with a warm hug when she exited her car. He and Royce had bundled up like it was twenty below, while Kelsey just wore an ivory cardigan over her cheetah-print turtleneck and black corduroy overalls. “Aren’t you freezing?” Sawyer asked when she stepped back from their embrace.
Kelsey giggled as she rubbed her hand over her baby bump. “I’m putting off enough heat for three people,” she told him. “Trust me. I’m not cold, but I have winter gear in the car in case of an emergency.” Kelsey opened her arms and hugged Royce next. “Miguel called and said he’s running a few minutes behind. He said we should go inside and get comfortable. He’ll be here before we know it.”
Miguel Perez was the lawyer Kelsey had chosen to represent her throughout the surrogate process. He was a snazzy dresser and more handsome than one man had the right to be, but hewas perpetually running behind schedule. Sawyer didn’t get the impression his tardiness was because of arrogance, but it still annoyed him. They had four weeks left until Darla’s due date, and it was crunch time. All their legal planning appointments were important, but this one was the most significant because Kelsey would relinquish her parental rights to Darla so that Royce and Sawyer could bring her home from the hospital. It was a temporary agreement until their adoption became permanent, but it was the first big step to making it happen. Sawyer hadn’t wanted to wait so long, but their attorneys assured them it was a standard practice with traditional surrogates since the paperwork couldn’t go before a judge until after Darla was born. Still, the last-minute stuff created a knot of tension in his chest that made it hard for him to breathe.
Sawyer took Kelsey’s hand as they headed toward Owens, McKinley, and Reese Family Law. “How are you feeling?”