by Ava Miles
His lips feathered her brow. “I’m glad you can finally see that.”
“I’m just a little slow.”
“But you’re gaining speed,” he encouraged, done with the self–deprecating talk. “I’d say you caught up to me today.”
“I’d like to tell Keith about us, if that’s okay.” She looked away, her vulnerability stark in her eyes.
Keith. How lucky could a man get to have a beautiful woman and sweet kid in his life? “I’m glad. Maybe you can come over to the house for dinner with Keith tonight.”
“I’d like that.”
He gave her a long and lingering kiss. “Of course, I’m giving you fair warning that once we settle things between us and our families—and you and Tanner and David, by the way—I’m going to start suggesting that we get married. What do you think of that?”
Her shudder rocked her against him. “Since I swore I’d never get married again, it might take me a little while to come around, but I promise I’ll try to speed things up.”
His hand gestured to the dragon on her dress. “Breathe fire on the past, Peg. We’ll make it work, I promise.”
Her mouth parted. “My back isn’t itching anymore. Huh.”
He had no idea what she was talking about. “I’m glad. I guess…”
“I’ll explain later.” Another fire sparked in her eyes, not the kind to burn away the past, but one to build a future on.
He extended his hand. “Are you ready to head inside?”
She nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
He remembered that her brother was still playing inside. “You don’t have to do it here, you know. We can go out somewhere else.”
Her chin lifted. “No, it’s okay. I have to make my peace with the past—and the present. Tanner’s probably upset with me, but we’ll work through that. I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay with David, but I’m done comparing him to my father.”
“That sounds wise. And Peg, Tanner will get over it. Those of us who love you always find a way.”
She took his extended hand, and they walked through the door together.
And made his tournament the most talked about event in town for reasons that had nothing to do with poker.
Epilogue
A few months later…
Mac and Dustin hauled the trough of beers onto the deck to keep them chilled. With the temperatures dipping into the teens and snow swirling across the valley, Peggy wondered why anyone would want to drink anything cold. Personally, she only wanted to keep sipping her warm, alcohol–laced drink.
“What’s this called again?” she asked when they returned.
Mac crossed the room and put his hands on her shoulders. Gave her a gentle squeeze. “A hot toddy.”
“It’s like the Ole Miss cheer,” Dustin informed her. “Be sure to have Rhett sing it to you when he arrives. He’s already sung it for Keith. Everyone in the family has to know it.”
It made her smile when he included them in his definition of family. She seemed to be smiling all the time now. The weirdness was wearing off.
“I forgot how it goes!” Keith said, jumping off the bar stool where he’d been sitting, a pickle in his hand. “Teach it to me again, Dustin. Pleeeeease.”
Mac winced. “I’m not sure Peggy’s gonna like it.”
Dustin rolled his eyes. “Mom didn’t either, but that didn’t stop Rhett. I’m glad he’s decided to stay until Mom agrees to marry him. Party all the time.”
“Party all the time,” Keith parroted, pretty much like he always did. Dustin was his hero.
“Who’s going to party all the time?” Abbie asked, emerging from what she called the powder room.
Even though they’d made their peace with each other after Peggy had profusely apologized, they still didn’t always know what to say to each other. Peggy had wisely refrained from asking Abbie what the heck “powder” had to do with the john when she’d excused herself.
The doorbell rang. Keith raced for the door. “They’re here!”
Abbie tugged her apron off and smoothed her navy wool dress.
Peggy looked over at Mac. “Remind me why we agreed to host Thanksgiving.” And darn if she wasn’t proud of herself for calling them a “we.”
His finger caressed the necklace he’d given her the previous week. There was an engagement ring on it. It was his way of letting her decide when she’d wear it and tell everyone she’d finally agreed to marry him.
“Because it’s what families do.”
Right. And hers was ever expanding, delighting her more than freaking her out.
Jill and Brian hustled inside—each holding a baby carrier—with Tanner and Meredith behind them, carrying the casserole dishes. Abbie efficiently took care of everything. She truly was in her element as hostess. Made it easier for Peggy, who had no desire to be Martha Stewart.
Keith leaned down and stared at Violet and Mia, decked out in hot pink matching onesies. “They’re still pretty small.”
Jill hugged him to her side. “They’re not as big as you yet, but they’ve each gained eight ounces.”
“That’s not much,” he responded, making everyone laugh.
Meredith and Tanner pulled Keith in for hugs after Jill had finished tickling him. Then both of them embraced Peggy warmly. Jill’s bear hug lifted her two inches off the ground.
“Whoa” she cried.
“Oh, don’t be a wimp. I’m a mother now. Super human strength.”
“I could use some super human sleep,” Brian said, elbowing Jill aside to give Peggy a gentle hug. “These girls don’t like to sleep, just like someone else I know.”
“What can I say?” Jill responded. “I’ve always been a night owl. That’s why you need to hire another chef, babe. So you’ll have more time.”
“I’m getting there, hon,” Brian responded, walking over to greet their hostess. “I’ll likely pull in someone I went to school with if they’re ready to move to Dare. Hey, Abbie, thanks for doing all the heavy lifting on the cooking.”
“My pleasure,” she responded.
Abbie was still getting used to everyone, but she gave them all hugs. Tanner shook hands with Mac and then wrapped his arm around her. “Hey, sis. This must be a record. Two Thanksgivings together in a row.”
They’d found their balance again after David left. Tanner had admitted that their brother hadn’t changed much, but he was happy he’d made the effort. Peggy knew she hadn’t, but she’d made her peace with that. They didn’t have anything in common except the past, and she didn’t want to live there anymore. Neither of them had talked to David since his visit. They only knew about his life from their mother, who still blindly refused to see him for what he was, rather like how she’d been with their father.
Arthur came in behind Linda and Alan Hale in the next batch of company. “Colder than a witch’s…”
He stopped before saying, “tit,” but his eyes gleamed with humor. He made the rounds, saving her for last. Since her total meltdown in front of him and his wise counsel, she’d taken to thinking of him as her grandpa. She hadn’t told anyone except Mac, who’d kissed her and said it was sweet.
“How’s my favorite deputy?” Arthur asked, handing her a red hot.
She crunched on it, the cinnamon flavor exploding in her mouth. “Pretty good. How’s my favorite journalist?”
“Hey,” a chorus of reporters protested from all around them.
“I’m your brother. I thought I was your favorite.” Tanner gave Keith a wink before plucking him up on his shoulders.
“I can’t help it,” Peggy found herself answering. “I have a thing for older men.”
Joking had become easier with practice. With Dustin and Mac around, it was either joke or drown. Thankfully, Abbie took her side once in a while.
Mac’s eyebrow winged up. “Good thing for me then.”
She didn’t stop to consider whether she should grin or not, the smile practically flew across her face. “Yes, yo
u’re practically ancient. It’s no wonder I like you best of all.”
The kitchen exploded with activity around the twins, who were fast asleep in their carriers. Keith kept peeking inside, asking when the girls would be ready to play.
The men grabbed the beer. The women opened the wine. Jill frowned as she drank her soda, complaining about breastfeeding.
Dustin pulled Mac aside. “Please make her stop.”
Peggy almost laughed. Jill didn’t have a filter about anything, which was part of her charm.
Mac snorted. “Good luck with that.”
Tanner punched the teen lightly in the arm. “Man up, kid. You’re going to hear plenty of that kind of stuff with this crowd. How’s school, by the way?”
His tennis shoes kicked the bar stool. “It’s okay. My soccer team is way cool.”
“And he’s not doing so badly in school,” Mac murmured. “Not that that’s important or anything.”
“Right,” Abbie commented. “Not important at all.”
But even Peggy knew she was thrilled at how well Dustin was settling into Dare after the initial rough patches.
Dustin’s hip bumped his uncle’s as he tried to throw him off balance—their usual game. “Mom’s happy because she likes my friends here better. But I think that’s just because she’s so crazy in love with Rhett.”
“Dustin!” Abbie gasped, even though everyone knew she was still fighting hard against her feelings for Rhett. “You need to zip it up, or you won’t get any pie.”
“Yeah, mind your manners, kid.” Mac lifted his drink to Peggy in a salute.
She gave him a wink, rather hoping no one noticed. Smiling was one thing. Winking was another.
Mac stared straight at Peggy. She could read his mind from a mile away. He wanted her, and he’d probably talk her into allowing another sleepover for Keith and Dustin tonight. Which meant she was spending tonight in his bed. The woman inside wanted to cheer.
“Stop it, you two. You’re making me gag,” Dustin pleaded.
The kid seemed to have an inner radar about their interest in each other. She looked away from Mac, somewhat embarrassed at being called out by a teenager for, well, acting like a teenager.
“Yeah, gag,” Keith repeated.
Jill came up behind her and tickled her neck, making her jump in her chair. “Is this new?” she asked, tugging on her necklace.
Peggy’s hand grabbed the chain to keep it under her shirt. “Cut that out.”
“You never wear jewelry,” Jill said with a suspicious glint in her eyes. “Is that a present from Mac? Show, show.”
Peggy nudged her with her foot. “Hey, isn’t that Violet?”
“Nice try, but I have Violet and Mia’s cries down pat. Mommy radar. Plus, you can’t sidetrack me.”
“Brian!” Peggy called, hoping for backup.
Jill’s hubby only held up his hands. “Sorry, can’t help ya. She’s feeding my kids.”
Peggy gave him the evil eye. “Jill, let go. I don’t want you to break it.”
Meredith came over. “I think the lady doth protest too much. What do you think, Jill?”
“I think we need to get to the bottom of this. Grab her, Mere.”
“Abbie, help!” she cried.
“Sorry, you’re on your own. Those two mean business.”
Meredith tickled her ribs, and dammit if she didn’t hiss out a giggle and jerk in her chair.
“You’re ticklish!” Jill cried out.
“Yep,” Mac and Keith responded at the same time.
“Help me, Keith,” she called, trying to fight them off and protect the necklace.
Her son didn’t budge—he was sticking with the men, the little traitor. She was going to have to work on that.
Meredith and Jill finally plucked the chain out from under her shirt. She froze in her chair, her eyes seeking Mac’s. Those stoplight green eyes glowed with that incredible patience.
“Oh my God!” Jill cried. “Is that an engagement ring?”
Meredith’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, Peggy, I’m so happy for you.”
Tanner ambled forward and put a restraining arm around both women. “I’d check yourselves a minute before jumping to conclusions, ladies. An engagement ring goes on a finger. This ring is simply on a necklace. Pipe down.”
She could always count on her big brother. “Thank you.”
A quick glance at Abbie told her she wasn’t surprised by this. Well, Mac had made no secret of his intentions.
“I thought all rings went on your finger,” Keith mused, coming to her side.
No one laughed. Everyone in the kitchen was staring at her.
Peggy stood, her legs trembling a little. Her back gave an itch like it wanted to flare up after these many months. In that moment, she knew what she needed to do.
“Keith, let’s go into Mac’s study for a minute.” She needed to tell him before everyone else.
Her son put his hands on his hips. “Mom, I know Mac wants to marry you. He asked me a long time ago if it was okay. I told him, of course. ”
The adults laughed.
Her gaze flew from her son to Mac. “You asked him?” she croaked, the sweetness of the gesture swirling through her like the chocolate ribbons in Brian’s pain au chocolat.
“He asked me too, Peg,” Tanner informed her, coming closer. “I wasn’t a pushover like Keith here.” Her brother tossed Keith in the air.
“What’s a pushover?” her son asked.
Tanner chuckled. “Someone who falls down easily.”
“I stand up all the time,” Keith informed him.
“Sure you do.”
“And he told us, too,” Abbie said, putting her arm around Dustin. “We couldn’t be happier.”
Everyone fell silent. Peggy raised her hand and held it out to Mac. His smile started out slow and then spread across his face.
“I guess we’re engaged then,” she declared, her stomach doing Olympic backflips.
His hand squeezed hers. She gripped it and then was yanked into a new round of hugs.
Someone pounded on the door, and then a cold blast blew through the house.
“Is dinner ready yet?” Rhett called, carrying a massive bouquet of those red Amaryllis flowers Abbie loved so much.
Everyone called out a greeting right away, except for Mac’s sister, who clutched a blue hand towel.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Rhett,” Abbie finally said as he strode toward her.
“Thanks, Abbie. It’s nice to be here.” He handed her the flowers and darted forward to kiss her cheek, causing her to blush.
Watching them, Peggy had no doubt Rhett was going to keep after Abbie until she caved. It was going to be fun seeing what Rhett came up with. And what he was going to do about the poker babes. Peggy agreed with Abbie. They were embarrassing.
When Rhett turned around, he clutched his chest suddenly like he was having a heart attack. “Oh my God! Mac Maverick Maven, do my eyes deceive me or did you finally hit the jack pot?”
Peggy didn’t know what he was talking about until she realized Rhett was pointing at her.
“We’re engaged,” she confirmed, holding out the ring, awkwardness making her duck her head.
Rhett shot across the room and man–hugged Mac off the ground. “You old coon dog. Good for you!”
Mac slapped him on the back. “You call me a coon dog again, and I’ll start in with the Liberace remarks.”
He staggered back, clutching his chest. “Not the Liberace remarks,” he cried, making everyone chuckle.
Peggy played with the ring in her hand. Mac had known she wouldn’t go for big and bold. The simple diamond in its elegant setting worked for her. She expected the diamond was flawless because it radiated enough rainbows to keep a leprechaun happy.
“Did everybody know but me?” she finally asked.
“I didn’t,” Jill and Brian answered in unison.
“Probably because you wouldn’t keep your mouth shut,” Meredith inte
rjected.
“This old man had his suspicions,” Arthur interjected. “Congratulations, my dear.”
“Perhaps it’s time to put it on your finger now, Mom,” Keith said. “It’s kinda dumb wearing a ring on a necklace.”
Her laugh sputtered out. “Yes, it kinda is.”
Mac squeezed Keith’s shoulder before reaching for the ring. He slid it on her finger and then rubbed it with his thumb. His head dipped to kiss her, but instead, he leaned into her ear.
“It’s official.”
She kissed his cheek. “Yeah. Who’s lucky now?”
Rhett barreled in, arms flying. “Wait! I have to tell this story. When I first met this lady, she had on a sexy sheriff’s outfit—oops, I’m going to have to clean that up, aren’t I?” He threw an absent kiss to Abbie. “Okay, let me start over. I met Peggy at her very professional office, and she told me she didn’t believe in luck.”
Dustin sucked in his breath. “No way! You don’t believe in luck?” The kid made it sound like not believing in Santa Claus.
“I didn’t.” Peggy turned her hand to make her ring flash. “But I do now.”
Her fiancé tugged her to his side. Fiancé. Man, that word would take some getting used to.
“Like I said, you might start off slow, but you always catch up.”
She leaned her head against his side, surveying the group. With her extended family all around her, she realized she was the luckiest girl in the world.
Dear Reader,
I have to admit that it was really hard to see Peggy and Mac’s story end. They became my best friends, and I might have fallen a little in love with Mac—although I’m a bit afraid of what Peg might do to me if she finds out.
Your opinion really matters to me, so I would love for you to post a review and let me know what you think of THE GRAND OPENING. Additionally, your review helps other readers find my books. If you’re willing, you can write one here (this link will be available soon!).
In other awesome news, I have been designing my own Dare Valley Swag, tailored for each book, and to better celebrate the small town. If you sign up for my newsletter and connect with me on Facebook, you’ll know when we’re having a contest so you can enter to win our fun prizes. Jill has lots of ideas, trust me.