Jude wraps me up tight. “Not the first time they’ve caught one of their kids in a compromisin’ position and definitely won’t be the last,” he muses, rubbing a hand up and down my back as the car door opens.
Unfortunately for me, I’m stuck on my husband’s last words. I jerk my head up with a scowl. “Are you talkin’ about you makin’ out with other women when I’m almost sittin’ in your lap, Jude Henley Cooper?”
Jude’s dad chuckles. “She’s got you cornered, Jude. Lesson number one, don’t rile your woman up when she’s in a position to cause bodily harm.”
As hard as I try to hold my glare, my lips twitch before a snort escapes me, making Jude’s wicked grin grow even bigger.
Chancing a glance at my new in-laws–I find them watching us with what can only be described as joy in their eyes.
“You two sure know how to welcome your new daughter-in-law to the family, don’t you? You’re lucky it’s too late to scare her off, otherwise I might get mad at you.”
I glare at him. “You’re mine, Jude Cooper. There’s no scarin’ anyone off. Besides, if you can stand strong in front of my brothers, I think we’re good.”
His face goes soft and gooey and suddenly I want to kiss him all over again, in-laws I’ve barely met be damned. After a quick peck on my lips, he lets me go. “Yeah, wifey. We’re definitely good. No chance of me goin’ anywhere, not without you by my side.”
“Good answer, hubby. You’re stuck with me now.”
“Wouldn’t want it any other way, wifey.”
John–or Cap as everyone calls him–is a fascinating man. He’s a mix of all of the Cooper brothers rolled into one, but none more so than Jude.
Mary-Lou is delightful too, having claimed me as soon as I got out of the truck and laughing at her son’s grumbling under his breath about his mother stealing his wife. “Don’t worry, I’ll give her back…eventually,” she replied.
Now, I’m standing outside on the back deck while Cap grills steaks for lunch and Jude and his mom prepare the rest of the food inside.
“Sorry to hear about your dad, Em. I didn’t have much to do with him–for obvious reasons,” Cap says, eyeing me warily. “But despite whatever business there was between him and Ridley, the Wilson name has always held a lot of respect around Timber Falls.”
“Thank you. He’d been sick for a long time and his stubbornness didn’t help when it came time to get him the help he needed.”
Cap turns to meet my eyes, understanding filling his gaze. “I know all aboutthat. Dad lived with us for years before returnin’ to the mountain. It was only after he passed that we learned he’d been unwell for a long time and was good at hidin’ it.” His pointed look tells me he knowsjusthow similar Sully and Ridley were, despite their grudge.
“They’re both in a better place now,” I say softly.
“Yep. And I bet they’re probably arguin’ up a storm at the bar in the sky.”
“You’re a lot more like Jude than I was expectin’,” I admit.
Cap’s head jerks. “I take that as a compliment,” he says, looking to where Jude and his mom are laughing at something in the kitchen. “I’m glad the mountain brought you two together. Jude’s always wanted to be surrounded by his loved ones.” A lump grows in my throat. “He’s always been a thinker, that boy. Feels deep and cares hard. Even when he was chasin’ around after the twins like a lost puppy.”
I giggle at the imagery. “He’s one of the most thoughtful and considerate people I’ve ever met,” I say honestly. “When Dad asked him to look after me, he didn’t hesitate. Didn’t even think about it. He said he knew we were meant to be the minute he first saw me.”
“Said the same thing to us too, a few hours before you two were married.”
I go still. “Really?”
“Oh yeah. Could tell he was nervous–any man would be–but it wasn’t because he was about to pledge his life to you. He was worried about bein’ a good man for you, someone worthy enough to earn your love, and who could help guide you through your grief until you reached the other side of it.”
My breath catches and it’s my eyes that drift over to the window, where I find Jude watching me, the gentle expression on his face filling me with warmth as if he was holding me in his arms.
“You OK?” he mouths.
I smile and tilt my head to the side. “Yeah,” I reply silently.
Cap’s chuckle captures my attention and that’s when I catch him switching from Jude back to me. “I love seein’ him happy. Love seein’ that you are too.”
“But we’ve just met,” I blurt out.
Cap lifts his hand and taps it over his chest. “Kin recognizes kin, even if it's by the heart, and not by blood.” His gaze is intense but I feel his words as if they’ve been said to me by myown parents. “What I’m lookin’ forward to most is watchin’ you and Jude soar together. You’re kindred spirits, the both of you. I knew as soon as he told us about you.”