Page 32 of Island Guardian (Brookwell Island #7)

Three months later

Rhett had to admit, a week of getting acquainted with his in-laws had culminated in an incredible party.

Although he and Trina had refused to have a second ceremony—their first had been perfect—they were happy to have an official reception for their families.

As wedding receptions went, he figured this one was over-the-top regardless of Harper and Trina denying the claim.

He couldn’t argue. The excessive celebration was basically a necessity after such an unexpected elopement.

They had decided to host it at the Ellington resort, mostly to give Trina a break from her work environment.

Her parents were staying at the Inn and getting all the behind-the-scenes history and tours they could ask for.

They were blatantly monopolizing her, in the most supportive and adorable ways.

Clearly, they’d missed the closeness they’d had with her as a child .

He tried to hide his amusement over how much they wanted to see Trina at her workplace versus how little they wanted to see him at all.

He couldn’t really blame them. She was an amazing manager.

It was just bonus points that his dad wanted to show off the newly remodeled and refurbished spaces at the resort.

Rhett didn’t mind stepping back, giving others the limelight. After all, he had everything he needed—a lifetime to love Trina.

His dad and his new father-in-law were spending a great deal of time together. Likely concocting some grand scheme for a new location or some kind of combined effort.

For Rhett, being married was collaboration enough.

Ilsa, Max, and Annie had come up for the week to help Rhett keep Trina from overdoing it. He wanted her to feel like the special and adored bride that she was.

Although he wouldn’t confront his sister yet, he was well aware she was using every opportunity to mine Ilsa for ideas on building wedding packages for the Charleston properties.

Glancing around the room, his gaze paused on each of the faces he recognized from the Guardian Agency.

Of course, he’d invited the people that had helped him rescue Trina.

And he’d requested extra security for this week specifically.

He doubted anyone from his family realized how much personal protection expertise was in the room, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Not with any of them.

He smiled, watching his sister work the room on her way to join him. She gave him a quick squeeze and a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Me too.” He nudged her lightly with his elbow. “I finally got my wish,” Rhett said as they watched Trina dance with her father.

Harper shot him an incredulous look. “You are not going to stand here and tell me you wished for Trina your whole life.”

“No.” He arched an eyebrow. “You know I’m no romantic.

” He ignored her laughter. Trina had probably told her a different story.

Didn’t matter. “That’s you and Knox. I meant the Inn.

It’s finally a part of the Ellington family portfolio.

” Harper shoved him lightly but he didn’t budge.

“What are you, ten? You should act like an adult, sis.”

She ignored his baiting. “The Inn is not ours.”

“You shouldn’t argue with me at my own wedding reception.”

“I’ll argue with you wherever I want,” she replied with a sugary smile. “Especially when you’re being delusional.”

Maybe he was delusional. If so, good for him. He was well-traveled, had seen some incomparable natural and man-made sights. And he’d rather be right here, completely consumed with the woman he loved, than anywhere else in the world.

“You can’t deny the logic.” Sometimes it was fun to be obstinate. “That’s Mrs. Ellington out there on the dance floor and she’s the manager of an historic inn.”

“Fine.” Harper hugged him, hard. “I am so happy for you.”

He slung an arm over her shoulder. “Thanks. I’m happier than I ever expected to be. And happy for you too. He caught his mother-in-law frowning at him. “Think she’ll ever forgive me?”

“Maybe. Eventually.” Harper’s gaze turned mischievous. “It’ll probably require a grandchild.”

He figured she was right. And for a moment, visions of children danced in his head. He didn’t expect Mrs. Bollani to hold back on her demands to start the next generation.

“We’re going to need more than just the suite at the Inn,” he murmured, thinking aloud .

“And what about Key West? Will you keep splitting your time?”

“Hm,” he used one of Trina’s tactics. He had a few things in mind, and all of them would require family approval. “I’m not talking business tonight.” The music changed to casual beach tunes and he grabbed her hand, leading his sister to the dance floor.

Giving a startled squeak, she followed him. For the next several minutes, it was just joyful silliness as they danced. His gaze tracked Trina, watching as she murmured something in her father’s ear.

He wondered if it would always be like this.

“Yes, it will,” Harper warned him.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re wondering if you’re always going to be so focused on her.”

“Did I say it out loud?”

“You didn’t have to.” She looked up at him with warmth and love shining in her eyes. Eyes so like his own. “I know you. You love her. She’s your everything. And it’s beautiful.”

“You’re sappy.”

“Right back at ya.”

Before he could protest, Trina’s father tapped his shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”

Harper laughed, moving off to dance with Mr. Bollani while Trina stepped into Rhett’s embrace. “I missed you,” she said.

“Same. Always.” He brushed a kiss over her cheek. “Do we need to worry that your dad’s still going to take me out and feed me to the sharks?”

“I think I’ve talked him out of that. Besides, Mom is making all the grandbaby noises.” She grinned, tapping her fingers over his heart. “And that requires you.”

“Harper warned me,” he said.

“You do want children?” Trina’s eyes rounded. “We didn’t?—”

He cut her off with a twirl. “We knew what we needed to know,” he said when she faced him again. “Don’t go second guessing us now.”

“Never.” Her smile was beautiful. Her eyes were shining with pure happiness.

“I was just thinking that when we’re ready, we should find a house here on Brookwell.

” It was a testing query. For so long, she hadn’t felt secure enough to live away from the properties she managed.

But with Gallo no longer a threat and happily married to him, a man she’d chosen, her confidence to live more fully grew day by day.

“Oh. What a good idea. I would love to raise our family here.” Her teeth nipped into her lip. “You really don’t mind commuting to Key West?”

“Not as long as you don’t mind me traveling so frequently?”

Another smile. “We’re making it work.”

No one here could possibly understand what a miracle it was that she was dancing with him. To have her completely at ease with his touch, even in public. He was overwhelmed with gratitude that he was the only person privileged with those secrets.

“Rhett, I need a breather,” she said. “Let’s go outside for a minute.”

“Of course.” The crowd didn’t bother him, but he wouldn’t mind a little extra space between him and her parents. Wasn’t much point in worrying, thankfully, since her parents had no plans to relocated from Italy.

Trina took his hand as they wandered out toward the dunes, the breeze off the ocean stirring her hair. “So about those kids we didn’ t discuss.”

He tripped. “Are you… Are you making an announcement?”

“Well, I’d rather not make our big announcement today. My mother has had her way far too much this week.” She squeezed his hand and leaned into his arm. “I don’t want to tell them until they’re back in Italy. But I thought you should know I won’t be drinking prosecco for a while.”

He picked her up and spun her in a circle and when he set her back on her feet he kissed her tenderly. “We’ll be parents.” One more miracle to add to the growing pile.

With the ocean pulsing behind them, he couldn’t help comparing this night on the beach to the night he’d found her so upset. “I love you,” he said.

“I love you too.” She rested her cheek on his chest, snuggling in. “I never thought I could get over myself or find anyone to trust enough to become a mother.” Her arms came around his waist. “Thank you for being my hero.”

For a moment all the emotions and words tangled up in his chest. Overcome, he could only whisper, “I love you,” over and over.

“You aren’t upset?”

“No! Why would I be?”

“It’s all so fast.” She took a deep breath and tilted her head up to the stars twinkling overhead. “Everything between us has come in a rush.”

“Who cares about timing? Neither one of us wants to waste any more time.”

“True.”

“You’ve changed my entire life. Adjusted my course, permanently. You make every day so wonderful,” he said. “Being parents is only going to give us more of the good stuff.”

“Parents?”

They turned as one to see her mother standing there.

“Mama—” Trina began, only to be interrupted by a tidal wave of Italian. The only phrases Rhett could pick out were those involving love.

No matter how Trina tried to quiet her mother, the woman only grew more animated. Shouting for her husband, tears tracking down her cheeks. At least this time she was joyful instead of furious.

Rhett soon found himself in the midst of a crushing family hug. He’d thought the aunts were demonstrative, but they were practically antisocial compared to Marco and Talia Bollani.

Of course, the commotion drew a crowd and despite Trina’s hope to keep it quiet, news of her pregnancy raced through the party.

There were toasts and more dancing. More hugs and well-wishes. Every moment, quiet or loud, was a gift to be cherished.

They faced it together with laughter and happy resignation in the face of the loving chaos their families created. Together, they were stronger. And he knew that strength would grow with them. The same way he knew they’d joyfully and boldly face all the years to come.

Extend your stay on Brookwell Island with IN THE SPOTLIGHT a short-story peek into Nina’s life before Boone turned it upside down:

On a blustery winter evening, the Pelican Pub is packed to capacity. Nina Billings is eager to hear which bands are invited to the annual summer music festival. But her happy evening is turned upside down when a special honor turns into a bar fight.