A horn honked as Jase put me down and we both turned to see a Ford F-350. “Who’s that?”
“My dad.”
“Oh,” I mumbled.
“Come on, he’s probably wondering what in the hell I’m doing and praying I’m not asking you to marry me.”
Marry me.
The idea made me happy and scared me at the same time.
The window rolled down and I almost gasped when I saw Jase’s father. He was an older version of Jase. His blue eyes stood out against the black cowboy hat he had on. I imagined he had dark hair under the hat and would look even more like Jase when he took it off. Turning to look at Jase, my mouth dropped open. They looked almost alike. “I know. Everyone says I’m a mini version of my father.”
“I’d say,” I replied so only he could hear.
“Dad, this is Taylor Atwood. Taylor, this is my father, Layton Morris.”
I attempted to reach up and in to the truck to shake his hand and failed. Everyone laughed as I made a face and felt my cheeks heat up. “I guess I’m shorter than I thought.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Taylor.” Layton looked over to Jase. “What are y’all doing on the side of the road?”
Jase pointed back to the fence and the exact spot we were standing at. “I was showing Taylor where you and Mom met.”
Layton’s eyes lit up and I could see the love for his wife on his face as he glanced over to the spot. “One of the best days of my life. That’s a good spot.”
“Yes, sir, I’m sure it is,” I said peeking back over to it.
“Well, get her back in the truck and head on to the house. I’m sure your mother is wearing the floors out waiting to finally meet Taylor.”
With a light chuckle, I looked away and then to Jase as he replied to his father, “Yes sir, we’re right behind you.”
Placing his hand on my lower back, I got that silly feeling in my stomach again as he led me to his truck.
After helping me up into the truck, he stepped up and slid his hand behind my neck, pulling my lips to his. With a fast kiss, he whispered, “One down. One to go.”
My hands shook as I walked up the stairs to Jase’s parents’ house. His father must have floored it to get here and in the house before us.
Stopping short of the door, I grabbed onto Jase’s arm and pulled him to a stop. “Wait. I know you said before you told your parents everything, but . . . what if they don’t like me?”
Jase cupped my face with his hands and gave me a panty-melting smile. “Yes. They know everything and they are happy we’re together. It’s the past. All we have in front of us is our future. That’s all we concentrate on from this point on? Okay?”
Pressing my lips together, I nodded my head. “O-okay.”
With a kiss on my lips, he took my hand in his and we walked through the front door. Standing in front of me was Layton, Walker, and a gorgeous woman I was assuming was Jase’s mom, and a beautiful brown-haired, blue-eyed woman holding a little boy who was trying with
all his might to get down.
All eyes were on me as I focused on the baby for a little too long. “This is Nickolas and all he wants to do is get down and crawl,” Jase said with a chuckle.
Smiling, my eyes bounced between everyone.
“Holy hell. Nothing like overwhelming her with a welcome committee,” Layton said while giving me a reassuring smile.
“We were just so excited to meet you, Taylor. I hope you don’t mind if I asked Walker and Liza to be here when you got here,” Whitley said.
“Um . . . no of course not,” I said trying to do something with my nervous hands.
Jase placed his hand on my lower back again, guiding me into the living room. “This is my sister; Taylor is her name also. She goes by Liza though.”