Must Be Wright (The Wrights 3)

“Been waitin’ on you,” Cooper and Belle sang into their microphone with no tune whatsoever.

Gypsy laughed along with the customers, tenting her hands over her mouth. Then Wyatt started singing, and Gypsy’s heart floated into her throat. He sang directly to her, about loving someone for so long, afraid to take the shot. About waiting for the perfect moment only to realize every moment is the perfect moment. The melody and the words were so sweet, they made Gypsy ache.

When the chorus came, he had to nudge Cooper, who sang his one line along with Belle: “Been waitin’ on you.”

Gypsy couldn’t hold back the tears. The crowd sang along with the chorus, giving the kids a little help.

When the song ended, Wyatt leaned toward Cooper to speak into the mic. “She said the crowd could choose whether or not I come back. What do you think?”

The crowd cheered so loud, Cooper covered his ears and Belle winced. Wyatt nudged Cooper, who slid off Wyatt’s knee, grabbed Gypsy’s hand, and walked her onto the stage.

Wyatt stood and looped the strap of his guitar over Cooper’s shoulders, then took Gypsy’s hand.

Her apology pushed at her throat. She had to get it out, and she didn’t give a damn who was watching. “I’m so sorry—”

“Me too, sugar.” He kissed her. “Me too.”

Then he dropped to one knee, and a collective gasp whispered through the crowd before they went quiet.

Without looking away from Gypsy, Wyatt elbowed Belle. “Girl, don’t let the fame go to your head.”

Cooper and Belle laughed along with the crowd, then Belle pulled out something hidden in her sling, and Cooper said, “For you, Mama.”

Belle opened the box and held it out to her. Gypsy’s gaze held on the diamond band, sparkling in the palm of Belle’s hand. Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Gypsy’s vision tunneled—to the ring, to Wyatt.

He took the ring from Belle and locked gazes with Gypsy as if there was no one else in the bar. “I never again want to feel the way I felt when you walked away last week. I’ve loved you for years, and it’s taken me too damn long to get around to telling you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You, me, Cooper, and Belle.”

She felt like she was going to pass out.

“I’m working out a touring schedule with concerts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights,” he told her. “My parents have agreed to watch Belle those days with the help of a part-time nanny who will stay with them over the weekend. I’ll be here to raise Belle. I don’t expect you to take over that job. And I’ll be here for Cooper too. I’m all-in for the whole package.”

“Oh, Wyatt.” She was overwhelmed with his sacrifice and the way he’d rearranged his priorities. “That’s amazing.”

A hush fell over the crowd.

“You’re my best friend and the love of my life. Will you make me the happiest man on the planet and spend the rest of this crazy life with me?”

Before she could catch her breath, Cooper pushed his fists in the air and screamed, “Yes!”

Everyone burst out laughing, including Gypsy.

“What do you say, sugar?”

Gypsy glanced at her family, and they all nodded.

“They’re all on board,” he told her, his grin flipping to megawatt level. “It must be right. Please say yes.”

She laughed, and tears slid down her cheeks. “Yes.”

The crowd cheered so loud, Gypsy couldn’t hear anything else. Unfazed by the chaos, Wyatt slid the ring on her finger, then stood to take her in his arms and kiss her, long and slow.

When she pulled back and looked into his eyes, she saw everything her fear had blocked. She hugged him tight and cupped his face in her hands as she nodded. “It’s definitely right.”

Epilogue

Gypsy stood at the gigantic Wolf range in the kitchen and added salt to the boiling water.