Turning back to Levi, he said, “What kind of dog is Lola?”
“A poodledoodle,” Levi announced solemnly.
Jessie must have heard, because she laughed, and said, “Lola is a goldendoodle.”
“Oh, yeah,” Levi said. “Goldendoodle.”
Laughter and taunts trickled around the dinner table. He loved his family.
But he really missed Amy.
The family party moved to his parents’ home and, at the end of the evening, Jessie took Daniel aside in the family room, where they talked for thirty minutes before returning to the rest of the family.
“I’m going home with my family,” Daniel announced with a huge smile.
Knox grinned. Sophie and Levi hugged their father. His mother started to cry and hugged all four of them.
When Knox shot a glance his father’s way, he saw that, behind the old man’s cool exterior, his chin was quivering just the slightest bit.
They helped carry Daniel’s clothes to the vehicle — he’d come back for the rest of his belongings, such as they were. They watched the family drive away.
“I guess,” Knox said to his parents, “I’ll tell Sam it’s safe for him to come back home now.”
“Oh, no need for that until you decide to go back to your own home.”
“I can go home right now.”
“No. I’m teasing. Stay for another day or two. I’ve enjoyed having you here.”
Watching a game later with his father in the den, Knox rubbed his chest. No heart attack pain, but his heart ached just the same.
His father said, “So I suppose you’re fixing to head back home now.”
“Actually, Mom invited me to stay a few more days.”
“She did, did she?” His father smiled knowingly. “You are closer to that beautiful therapist here, aren’t you?”
Knox smiled back. “Could be. A mile or two closer.”
With Daniel out of the program now, Knox needed another excuse to see Amy.
He was going to ask her out on a date. A real date. He was going to take the pretend out of his relationship with her.
* * *
Amy woke about four and couldn’t go back to sleep.
She was at a loss, something that hadn’t happened for a long time. She was a planner. Even when her parents were in the crash and her mother died, and then her father later, she made plans. They got broken sometimes, but it helped her to make them.
She didn’t have a plan for what to do with — or without — Knox Reid.
It had broken her heart to let the family go to dinner and celebrate last night without her, but she didn’t want to bring any more attention to herself. No negative attention anyway, and that’s exactly what that reporter would give her. Her private life was private for a reason, and she didn’t want anyone bringing it up.
Her phone pinged and an unknown number showed up. Who had texted her?
I thought you’d like to know that Daniel went home with his wife last night. This is Katie, Daniel and Knox’s sister.
Amy texted back: Thanks. That makes me happy.
And I think my brother Knox is an idiot.
Amy chuckled. That doesn’t make me quite as happy.
He’ll come around. Unless he’s a bigger idiot than I think. I like having you around.
Thanks. I enjoyed being around you and your family, too.
There wasn’t another text, and Amy set her phone down.
Daniel had gone home with his wife. Which was wonderful, but it also meant there was really nothing to keep Knox at his parent’s home now. Hadn’t he come originally to make sure she didn’t either raise false hopes with the therapy or entice Daniel away with her evil feminine wiles? He was improved and back with his wife, so she wondered if Knox had gone to his own home now. She wondered what his home looked like.
She missed him.
The thought saddened her, and she rolled out of bed.
Another text pinged. Katie again. Do you like to run? I run every morning.
Amy paused. She liked Katie. Could she be her friend if she wasn’t dating her brother? She smiled. Yes. Yes, she could. I’m up for a run. I have some emotions I could stand to burn off.
I’ll pick you up if you’ll send me your address.
11
No, I’ve Got it Good
“Did Daniel get hold of you?” His brother Sam asked Knox the next day.
Sam, Knox, their cop friend Ryan Leonard, and several other Waco Wrangler team members were circling the food in Zeke’s kitchen. He’d had it catered so he could feed his buddies while they played video games and ping-pong — one of Zeke’s favorites, mainly because he always won.
Knox shook his head.
“Check your phone.” Sam grabbed a sturdy paper plate and began to pile food on it.
Next to him, Knox pulled out his phone. He’d missed a couple of texts. One of them was from Daniel. “He wants me to call him.”
Knox also picked up a paper plate and began stacking a bun high with BBQ meat and surrounding it with different types of salads.
“Do it,” Sam said, as they walked to the dining room table. Other men sat in random spots — in the game room, the family room, and two at the table with them.
“Is it an emergency?”
“No.”
“After I eat then,” Knox said.
Zeke and Vince sat at the table with them, in a lively debate about who would be part of the upcoming draft.
“Bobby’s hoping to be drafted to the Wranglers,” Sam said.
“I hope he gets on, man,” Zeke said. “He’s got golden hands. I’d love to be passing to him.”
“Sam won’t want to hear you say that,” Knox said with a laugh.
“I get to play QB sometimes,” Zeke said, “though I’m looking forward to taking the first-string spot for QB.”
Zeke and Sam were good friends and also competitors, both vying for that top quarterback spot. Zeke was usually pretty chill about being in second place, but he didn’t let anyone forget what spot he wanted. And if he got it, he and Sam would still be good friends. Sam would just work that much harder to get it back.
“What happened to that pretty girl you were with the other day, Knox?” Ryan asked, wiping BBQ sauce off his chin with his napkin.
“Amy?”
“I guess.”
“She was Daniel’s therapist.” That was all he was willing to say at the moment, at least to these guys.
“Maybe I’ll ask her out,” Ryan said, with a grin.
Knox scowled at him.
Ryan held up his hands. “Whatever, dude. I won’t call her when you’re obviously interested in her.”
Knox set down his fork. “Wise man.”
“Wise guy,” Sam said with a laugh.
“I’ll be back. I need to go call Daniel.” He stood and walked out of the dining room and around until he found an empty room — the living room by the front door.
“Hi, Knox,” Daniel said when he answered. “Good of you to finally call me back.” His tone was teasing, which was a good sign.
“Hi, Daniel. What’s up?”
“Jessie and I want to have a renewal of vows next Saturday. Mom and Dad said we could have the party at the cabin, overlooking the lake. Three o’clock and don’t be late. Wear casual dressy.”
“Do I need to bring a gift, too?” Knox teased back, but relief flooded him. Daniel and Jessie were going to be okay.
“No gifts. But we want all our family to be there, hers and ours, both.” Daniel paused. “I’d like you to stand next to me, kind of like a best man.”
“I’d be glad to.” Knox choked up a bit, and he cleared his throat.
“And be sure to bring Amy with you. We want her there with us, since it’s largely due to her that Jessie and I got back together.”
“Okay,” he agreed, glad for the excuse it gave him to call her. “See you then.”
Knox listened to the sound of big rough-and-tumble men laughing and ta
lking in the rest of the large house. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he stared at the phone.
He pushed her number and lifted it to his ear.
“Hello,” she said, and the sound of her lilting voice made him smile.
“Hi, Amy. This is Knox.”
When she paused, he wondered what she was thinking, if she would refuse his invitation. “Daniel and his wife are renewing their vows next Saturday, and they’d like us both to be there. He specifically wanted you there because he said you’re a big part of why they got back together.”
“That was sweet of him to say.”
“May I pick you up? About two to give us plenty of time to get there before it starts at three. It’s at the cabin.”
Another long pause, then, “Yes. How dressy should we be?”
“Daniel said casual dressy.”
“So black jeans instead of blue?”
He chuckled. “Maybe a little dressier.”
She laughed softly. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Great.” He realized he was grinning crazily.
“I’ll see you then. Bye, Knox.”
“Bye.”
He hung up and looked up to see Sam studying him. “You’ve got it bad, bro.”
“No, I’ve got it good.”
Sam shrugged. “Zeke said to come on back. He’s got some new games for us to try.”
Knox stood. “Have you changed your mind about not moving back in with Mom and Dad? Because the timing would be right.”
“No. I’m going to stay with Zeke for a few months while I start looking for a place to rent.” Sam made an impatient motion. “Come on.”
“I’ll grab my plate and finish eating.”
“Whatever, but hurry.”
12
The Wrong Conclusions
“Oh, look at that adorable puppy,” Amy said as soon as she stepped through the front door of the cabin. She knelt down as the fluff ball ran closer.
Romantic instrumental music played over a sound system, and voices trickled in from the rear of the house.
A little boy ran up to them. It was Daniel and Jessie’s little boy, Levi. He picked up the puppy and clutched it to his chest.
“Your dog is really cute,” she said.
“You can pet her,” he offered.
Amy reached out and carefully ran fingers through the little dog’s fur. “What’s your dog’s name?”
“Lola.”
“Hi, Lola,” Amy said.
“She’s a poodledoodle,” Levi said.
Knox chuckled. “Goldendoodle.”
“Oh, yeah. Goldendoodle,” the little boy said. “I need to take Lola to Dad. He’s going to take her outside to go potty.”
“That’s probably a good idea, squirt.” Knox reached out to pet the little boy’s head as though he were a puppy.
Levi turned and raced toward the back of the house.
Knox held out a hand, and she took it, levering herself up. He held on and she looked up into his eyes. There were laugh crinkles around his eyes and she found herself smiling up at him.
Then Daniel was there, dressed to the nines in a fancy suit. “Hey, Amy. I’m glad you could come. You, too, Knox.”
He took her arm and Knox released her hand, and Daniel led her toward the back. “Jessie, look who’s here.”
“Amy!” Jessie called out and hugged her. “You came.”
Daniel said, “You two will be on the front row of seats. They’re set up in there.”
The large family room had been turned into a magical room with strands of tiny lights strung here and there and forming an arch before the floor-to-ceiling windows. Rows of folding chairs ran from the back of the room three-fourths of the way to the windows. People sat in many of them, most of them people whom she didn’t recognize.
But they recognized Knox, reaching out, calling out greetings to him. He took her hand again and led her down the aisle.
She was glad she’d decided to wear her rich emerald-green dress that brought out a glow in her skin and made her green eyes sparkle. She knew she looked good in it — and knew Knox liked it because of the stunned expression on his face when he first caught sight of her.
Knox introduced her to people as they walked up. Everyone seemed to like him, and she blushed as people studied her hand in his.
Finally seated on the front row, she leaned against him. It wasn’t too hard, as he was a big man and overflowed on both sides of the folding chair — all muscle. She felt secure and safe next to him, something she hadn’t experienced since her father died.
* * *
Her small, warm hand fit perfectly in Knox’s larger one. The scent of her light perfume intrigued him. He couldn’t identify the scent, but it was homey and cozy — like her warm green eyes. Everything about her made him think of home. A home with Amy Kingsley in it.
“How long have Daniel and Jessie been married?” she asked him.
“Seven years. They met in college.”
His parents took seats next to him, and they chatted for a few minutes. His mother smiled to see them holding hands, and she patted his arm, leaning in on his other side.
Preacher Thomas walked to the arch in front of the windows and turned to face them. A tall, slender man, he had a patient air and something about him that invited confidences. Even Knox had told him things he’d never told anyone else. He was a man you could trust.
Everyone hushed expectantly and turned to watch first Daniel and son Levi, and then Jessie and daughter Sophie, walk up the short aisle to stand at the front.
Jessie’s sister rose and stood beside Jessie, and Knox squeezed Amy’s hand, then released it to go stand by his brother.
When Levi started to squirm, Knox lifted him up in his arms and the little boy wrapped his arms around his neck.
Preacher Thomas smiled at the couple. “Are you ready to recommit to each other?”
They nodded, smiling happily. Daniel took Jessie’s hand.
Jessie’s sister picked up Sophie and cuddled her.
The preacher said, “Do you have anything you’d like to say first?”
Jessie turned to her husband of seven years. “We’re been through good times and bad times, through good health and bad health. I prefer the good,” she said, and people chuckled, “but we’ve been here for each other through everything, even what we thought was the worst. I love you, Daniel Reid, and I plan to be here with you forever.”
Knox fought against unexpected tears burning at his eyes. He blinked a few times and they subsided.
“Jessie,” Daniel said, “I still remember the first time I saw you, carrying your books in front of the Baylor Bookstore, and I thought you were the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. I thought, right then, that I was going to marry you, and I was thrilled when you said yes. I’m thrilled now,” he said, and his voice grew husky with emotion, “that you’ve agreed to take me back, as flawed as I am.”
They clutched hands, and Jessie’s chin quivered.
Levi shifted in Knox’s arms to watch his parents. “Are they getting married, Uncle Knox?”
“They’re already married, buddy. They’re saying they’d get married all over again if they needed to.”
Preacher Thomas looked out over the crowd, and then back at the couple standing before him. His bass voice grew sonorous and rich and solemn. “Daniel Ernest Reid, do you accept Jessie Hampton Reid as the woman you will continue to love and protect forever?”
“I do.” The words rang out and Knox could hear the joy in them.
“Jessie Hampton Reid, do you accept Daniel Ernest Reid as your husband, and will you love and care for him forever?”
“I do.” Jessie was openly crying now.
Knox caught Amy’s gaze. She was wiping away tears.
And he understood perfectly how Daniel had felt — because Amy was the prettiest thing Knox had ever seen, and he wanted to make her his.
* * *
After a huge catered feast,
the party moved onto the cleared-off dining room floor, now an improvised dance floor.
Daniel and Jessie got the first dance, and it tugged at Amy’s heartstrings. He could move so well again! And she’d helped with that! They were dancing a slow song, but he was able to move around, lift his feet, twirl his wife. As they danced, they couldn’t stop smiling at each other.
When the song ended and another began, the DJ — Knox’s brother, Bobby — invited their children to join them. The four of them danced around for a few minutes, and Bobby said, “Okay, everyone come out and join them in a celebratory dance.”
Knox took her hand and twirled her into his arms. She laughed. “You’ve got fancier moves than I’m used to.”
“Well, I am an athlete,” he said with mock arrogance.
“Well, I’m not, so don’t step on my toes.”
He led out and she followed, and within moments they’d found a nice rhythm of leading and following. His body was warm and big and strong, and she felt safe once more encircled in his arms.
As the song ended, a fast-paced song began. Laughing, she twirled free of his arms and began to gyrate. With a grin, he danced around her.
With this many big men in the room, there wasn’t much room to move, but she threw herself into it, anyway.
The next one was another slow song, and she slipped back into Knox’s arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
And then he kissed her. After a long, wonderful moment, he pulled back, looking deep into her eyes. She hugged herself against him and he squeezed.
Today was magical.
Tomorrow was for the other stuff.
* * *
Knox led Amy from the improvised dance floor, laughing. He hadn’t had this much fun in a long time. Maybe ever.
She clung to his arm as they worked their way through the crowd, and he was reminded of their first dance at the masquerade ball. He’d been attracted the first time he’d been around her.
Had that really only been three weeks and a few days ago? It felt as though he’d known her forever.
KNOX: An Enemies-to-Lovers Sweet Romantic Comedy Page 9