“I love him so much. I can’t imagine a life without him now.”
Cap’s dark eyes sparkle. “Doesn’t take a genius to see my son feels the same way,” he replies.
I stare down at my glass of wine, spinning the stem in my fingers as I think about what I want to say next. It’s all I’ve been able to think about since making the decision to move back to Timber Falls.
“Actually, I had somethin’ I wanted to ask you and Mary-Lou, but considerin’ she’s keepin’ Jude busy, I guess–”
“I’ll do?” he laughs. “Glad I’m enough.”
“What Imeantwas, I could ask you on behalf of the both of you.” I square my shoulders and meet Cap dead in the eye because this is important to me.
The thing is, when Dad asked Jude, that was him giving his approval. But due to the circumstances and the urgent situation at the time, Cap and Mary-Lou couldn’t make it in time for our first wedding.
“Jude has asked me to marry him–again, I mean.”
Cap nods as if this isn’t surprising news to him. “He told us he wants to do it again, this time when youbothknow what it means.”
“Yeah. We both do. There’s somethin’ I want more than that though.”
Cap frowns, cocking his head as he regards me for a moment. “Anythin’ you want, Em. You’re family now.”I’m not gonna cry…. I’mnotgoing to cry…Dammit, too late. He forgets all about the steaks and moves to stand in front of me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Hey. Whatever it is, I guarantee it’s not worth gettin’ me in trouble with your husband over.” Hiscrooked smile has me snorting out a laugh. “And he’ll be mad if he thinks I made you cry.
“I wanted to ask for your blessin’ to marry Jude–again, I mean.” I rush the words out before they can get stuck in my throat.
“You’ve already got it,” he answers matter-of-factly.
My head jerks back. “No, I mean–”
Cap reaches out and gently cups my shoulder. “Em, I’m honored that you’d ask. Mary-Lou will be too. WhatI’mtryin’ to tell you is you’ve got our blessin’. You’ve had it since Jude first called to tell us and told us all about you.”Suddenly I really want to know what he said all those months ago.“The Call is precious to our family and those around us who are blessed enough to hear it. It may not make a lot of sense to some people, but the peace that’s found knowin’ you’ve found your person is indescribable.” He gives me a soft, reassuring squeeze. “I’m glad you’ve found it, and over the moon that my son found it with an incredible woman who I know will always keep him guessin’ and love him unconditionally.”
“You’re gonna make me cry,” I say around a sob.
He reaches up and swipes a tear away from my cheek, dipping his head to bring our eyes level. “Bit late for that, sweetheart. So I better get this out quick before you make this old man crack too, yeah?How did I get so lucky to find a wonderful man and be welcomed into his amazing family too.“You have our blessin’ but I’m goin’ to put a condition on it.”
“Anythin’...”
“May I have the pleasure and honor of standin’ in for Sully when you walk down the aisle again?” he asks. That’s when I stop fighting it and just let my emotions pour out, face planting into Cap’s chest as his big arms come around me.
Moments later, I’m released and turned around and Jude takes his father’s place. I know it’s him from his woodsy cologneand his familiar arms that hold me close. His warm lips press against my temple as he rubs a hand up and down my back.
“What did youdo, old man?” Jude asks, but there’s no edge to his voice.
“That ain’t for me to tell. But me and Em are best buds now. Aren’t we, sweetheart?” I can’t help but snort into Jude’s shirt, making both men laugh. “See, I told you. Anyway, now I need to go explain tomywife that I haven’t scared our new daughter already,” he chuckles. “Besides, I think Mrs. Cooper here has a question to ask you.”
“It’s Wilson-Cooper,” I mumble at the same time Jude informs his father of the exact same thing.
“Well, now. That’s new. I’ll go tell your Mom about that and take these steaks in at the same time,” Cap replies. “You two come in when you’re ready, yeah?”
“Thanks, Cap,” Jude says. I lift my head and look over my shoulder just in time to catch Cap winking at me.
“Care to tell me whatthatwas all about?” my husband asks as he watches me closely and grazes his knuckles over my cheek.
“He asked if he could walk me down the aisle.”
Jude’s eyes crinkle at the sides. “You liked that?”
“Yeah, I didn’t expect it,” I say. “He also gave me his blessin’ to marry his youngest son. That might’ve set me off too.”
His breath catches. “Em…”