Many Years Later
Sutton
“ I vy, are you ready to go?” I reach up to make sure the little buttons on my collar are fastened, then stop.
She’ll handle that. She always does. And I like it when she gets all up close and personal.
Ivy steps out of the bedroom. “Does this look okay?”
“You look great.” I take an extra minute to appreciate the beautiful woman in front of me.
She stretches up to kiss me. “I like when you do that.” Then she slides the tiny buttons into place. “Did the boys make it there without issue?”
“Yep. Lucas drove. No accidents, no tickets. The drive was smooth sailing.” I grab the keys off the hook near the door.
“I shouldn’t be so worried because we’ve already gone through this milestone twice, but…” She clasps my hand after I lock the door.
“But he’s your baby.”
Life with teens is a whole other ballgame, and I’m loving this new stage where they are all driving. It’s like someone has created extra hours in the day, and I get to spend a lot of them alone with Ivy.
She nods. “We’re getting old, Sutton.”
“Yeah, but I can still do this.” I pick her up and hoist her over my shoulder.
She squeals and laughs, then pats my backside. “Easy there, cowboy.”
I shift her so that I’m cradling her. “I haven’t done anything resembling cowboying in years.”
“I know, but you’ll always be a cowboy to me.” She presses a kiss to my cheek. “How is it possible that Bailey’s getting married? I remember the first time she showed up at one of our backyard gatherings and how she shadowed Anderson all evening.”
I open the passenger door and set her in the seat. “And it’s making you more aware of how quickly our boys are growing up.”
“Yes.” She cups my cheek. “And one day, we’ll be preparing for their wedding. I’m not ready for that yet. But they’ve grown into wonderful young men, who are a lot like you.”
“Hopefully they don’t break down anyone’s door.” I wink. “I better hurry. I’m supposed to help Grayson with the burgers.”
Grayson
Daisy rubs my back as she eases up beside me. “You look cute in your apron. But I can’t ignore what it says.” She inches up and kisses me.
“Hi. Considering you handed me the apron twenty minutes ago, I think this is a setup.”
“Totally.” She kisses me again. “Ivy texted that they are on their way. And I’m going to tell you something so that you aren’t caught off guard, but you can’t panic. Okay?”
“Just tell me. I’ll choose whether or not panic is warranted.”
“Lucas asked Dawn to be his girlfriend. And they are currently tucked around the side of the house, making it official.”
I reach for the strings on the back of the apron and give them a tug. That only gets them knotted. “Undo me.”
“They’re only kissing. You know, like we did multiple times on our first date.”
“I wasn’t sixteen.” I fiddle with the strings.
She rubs my back again, then reties the apron. “I’ll keep an eye out. But you might want to talk to Sutton, quietly, about what boundaries they’ve set up now that Lucas is driving.”
I grab the spatula, giving myself a reason to clench my fist. “All those people who told me that it gets easier as they get older were totally lying.”
“They’re good kids, Grayson. And you didn’t worry about our son like this.”
“You’re right. But she’s my little girl. She’s just not so little anymore.” I exchange the spatula for the charcoal rake and shift the coals. “Wait. Lucas? Isn’t he the shy one?”
Daisy grins. “Yes. And he’s never been anything but a gentleman with Dawn.”
“I’m shocked he managed to ask her. But I’ll talk to Sutton.” I slide an arm around Daisy’s waist and pull her close. “But thank you for telling me.”
“Give me a kiss, and then I’ll grab the burgers and hot dogs.”
I drop the barbecue tool and kiss her, lifting her off her feet. Even after all these years, she still makes my heart pound like it did the night of our first date.
The kids splashing in the pool make gagging noises, so I extend the kiss a few extra seconds.
When her feet touch the ground again, Daisy sighs. “I want more of that tonight.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Sutton strides up. “Sorry I’m late. Ivy is a bit emotional about all these kids growing up.”
I nod. “Speaking of, when did Lucas start driving?”
“He got his license yesterday.” Sutton glances around. “He should be here already. Have you seen him?”
“Not personally, but I hear he’s tucked away, kissing my daughter.”
Sutton grins. “He spent all week pacing through the house, rehearsing what he was going to say to her. But don’t worry. I made sure to establish expectations and ground rules.”
“I appreciate that.”
Daisy walks up, carrying a platter.
I take it, then blow her a kiss. “Thank you, darling.”
“Anytime.” She winks, then walks away.
“Could you maybe not flirt when I’m standing right here?” Sutton lays the sarcasm on thick.
Tyler
The parking area outside the main house on Stargazer Springs is much larger than when I first started working here. Beau had more gravel laid to accommodate large functions like this. They don’t happen often, but it’s clear that he loves it when they do.
As soon as I park, Jasmine unbuckles her seat belt and leans down, searching the floorboard. “I dropped my earring.”
“I’ll get it.” I run around and open her door, then scan around her feet.
“Do you see it?”
I press a kiss to her ankle. “Not yet.”
She laughs. “Because you’re distracted.”
“Yeah. By this sun dress.” I lift the hem. “And these gorgeous long legs.” I dot kisses on her calf.
She runs her fingers through my hair. “If people pull up, they are going to wonder what you’re doing.”
I search in earnest and find her earring. “Here you go.”
“Thank you. Has Wyatt texted? What time does his plane land?” She clasps my hand and slides out of the truck. “Oh, don’t forget the bag with the fixin’s for s’mores.”
“Late. And I’m not sure if we are supposed to pick him up. He said he’d let me know. But we have plenty of time. We’ll visit and eat. Then you can lick a s’more out of my hand.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
“You are never going to quit bringing that up.” She puts an arm around me.
“It’s one of my favorite memories. You trusted me before even knowing my name.”
“I did. That seems like so long ago. Time passed by so quickly. I’m excited about seeing everyone together.
I wonder if we’re on standby for pickup because Clara is planning to do it.
” She grins. “Poppy gives me updates since Clara shares more with her mom than Wyatt shares with us. Our two could be next to walk down the aisle.”
“It’s hard to believe we’re old enough for that. But I guess time flies when you’re living the dream. Taking a job at Stargazer Springs is the second-best decision I ever made.”
Jasmine squeezes my hand. “And what’s the best?”
“You, of course.” I give her a kiss. “I’m going to see if Sutton and Grayson need any help.”
“Have fun.” She kisses my cheek and heads inside the mess hall.
Kent
Standing on the mess hall porch, I check my texts, wishing Mason would give me an update.
Poppy runs a hand down my back. “He’s probably still driving. He’ll be here in time. There is no way he’d miss Fred and Bailey’s wedding.”
“I know. But I’m worried about him, and Clara is driving into San Antonio late to pick up Wyatt. How am I going to sleep tonight with both my kids on the road?”
Poppy inches up on her toes and whispers in my ear. “I’ll just have to think of something that will distract you from your worry.”
I hug her to me. “I am completely on board with that plan.”
She pats the label on my Wranglers. “I’m going to go talk to Ava.”
“Hang on.” I scoop her into my arms and carry her around the corner, hoping for a moment of privacy.
But we intrude on another much younger couple’s moment of privacy.
Poppy bites back a laugh. “Sorry. We were just…”
She may not want to finish that sentence, but I will. Not much embarrasses me these days. “We were going to do the same thing y’all are doing. But we’ll do it someplace else.”
Lucas flashes a sheepish grin. “Thank you, sir. And we weren’t going to… you know… do anything we shouldn’t.”
Dawn is as red as a barn. “We’re just kissing.”
Poppy waves at the teens. “Behave.”
Then I carry her into the trees so that we’re out of view. I want to enjoy a few minutes alone with my wife. “You’re as beautiful as the day I met you, Poppy.”
She slips a hand under my shirt and up my chest. “This wedding has you all sentimental.”
“It does. But it doesn’t make what I said any less true. Mason and Fred are almost the same age. How are we old enough to have children who are marrying age?”
“Time warp maybe.” She plants a kiss on my neck. “We should join the others. Because I want to see Dag’s reaction when he sees Parker.”
“Why?”
“Because Davy, Parker’s oldest, just started dating Carolina.”
“I was not aware. I can barely keep up with who our kids are sweet on.”
Poppy grabs my shirt. “Is Mason dating someone?”
“No. I mean, not that he’s told me. He’s focused on the band right now. But he did mention that there was a woman with him in the rental car. They were both headed to this area, so it made sense.”
“Who?” Poppy bounces on her toes.
“I don’t know. He didn’t say her name.”
She waggles a finger in my face. “Next time, I get to talk to him.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I pull her in for another kiss before carrying her back toward the pool.
Parker
The twins unbuckle their seat belts before the Suburban stops moving. And then they are out the door like a shot. Davy is right on their heels.
Bluebonnet grins. “He wants to see Carolina.”
“Seems that way.” I lean over and kiss her.
“Y’all can at least wait until I’m out of the Suburban.” Patrick slides out of the back seat. “Should I close this so that y’all have privacy?”
I lean my seat all the way back. “Yes please.”
After rolling his eyes, he closes the door. My guys are used to my antics. But when I do stuff like this, it makes my Bonny Blue blush. Still.
“Our poor children.”
“Our poor children know that I love their mom. Often and always.” I wink.