Marriage Material

After heading back to our bedroom I get dressed quickly and pull my hair into a ponytail. When I walk into the nursery I smile when I see Charlotte is already awake.

“You wanna help me go get Daddy’s birthday ready?” I ask her as I pick her up. She gives me a big smile. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

I get her ready and gather her baby bag before I go out to my car. I have to grab the extra car seat I saw in the garage and put it in. Once we’re on the road we go to the grocery store first so I can get the things I need to make a birthday cake. It’s tradition in our family—the cake’s always made at home.

My throat tightens when I think about how I can’t call and invite my whole family over to celebrate. I want to give Anderson my family like he’s given me his. I remember what my ma said the last time she came over. We fight hard, but we love harder. I know she’s right but still it sucks.

After I leave the store I make a last-minute turn and go to the diner. I haven’t seen Millie in weeks, but I’m sure Ma has been updating her on everything. I want to stop in and say hello and introduce her to Charlotte. I step out of the car and go around and pull out the car seat with Charlotte still in it when I see that she’s fallen asleep.

I carry her inside, and when Millie sees me she comes rushing over. “Let me see her,” she gushes. I walk over to a table and set the car seat down. “She’s precious.” Millie runs her hand over Charlotte’s dark locks. She really does have a lot of hair for as young as she is. “You look good,” she tells me as she pulls me into a hug. “You were always meant to be a mama. It suits you—I swear you’re glowing.”

My heart flutters. I want to be Charlotte’s mama so bad I ache for it. I love her so much and we already act like a family. But I want all of it with Anderson. I want to adopt her and make her mine, too. I want a claim on her because she’s already claimed me. She and Anderson both have. I’m sure in time all things will fall into place, but I can dream as fast as I want.

“How about some fries?” she asks, knowing that’s what I always get.

“Yeah. I’d love some, but I have to be quick.” I pause when I see the UPS truck pull up next to the diner. “Oh! Will you watch Charlotte for me please? I need to ask Franky a question.”

“Yeah, go right ahead.” She motions for me to go. I ordered Anderson’s birthday present last week and it still hasn’t come. I even paid for overnight shipping and the tracking said it arrived, but no packages ever came. In fact, nothing has come.

I brace myself for the awkward encounter, but it needs to be done. This is a small town and this is his route. Besides, it was one date and we didn’t even kiss. I’m chalking his weird text messages up to drunk texting. Maybe he doesn’t even remember them.

“Hey Franky!” I call out but don’t see him. I step up into the truck where the door is slid open and lean in to see if he’s in the back. I jerk away when I see he’s standing right there in my face. “Whoa.”

I put my hands up to brace myself so we don’t collide and I try to step back, but he grabs me and pulls me into the truck.

I yelp as I try to tug out of his grip, but I stumble and fall right into him.

“I told you that you’re mine,” he grits out between his teeth, and I know instantly he’s the one who took those pictures.

I take a deep breath and scream as loud as I can.

Chapter 10

Anderson

“You have our blessing, son,” Robin’s dad says, and instantly relief settles in my chest. I lean back in the chair and let out the breath I was holding.

“That was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be,” I admit.

I worked myself up over this for the past few days because I knew I had to ask Robin’s parents for their blessing before I popped the question. I was sure they’d give me a dozen reasons why this was too soon. Hell, I’d spent the last two days practicing responses for anything they might have thrown at me.

“We can’t stand in the way of true love.” Robin’s mom leans into her husband, and he wraps his arm around her, keeping her close to him.