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There are tears in my eyes. Wilder has always been my real favorite big brother, not that I would ever admit that out loud, and having his approval means everything.
Ethan, who has sat quietly through the whole exchange, decides to chime in. “She makes me the happiest man alive. I’m the lucky one and I just want you all to know that I will take care of her and treasure her like she deserves.”
Some sort of masculine nod passing of the torch happens between Wilder, Knox, Dad, and Ethan. It’s weird and also sweet. I guess he has their approval. We wrap up the conversation with a promise to come back to Star Mountain after our time in Naples.
“You survived your first St. James family meeting,” I exclaim as Ethan picks me up to carry me back to our bedroom.
“I did and so did you. You were brilliant.”
“Even when I gave my brothers hell and called you an old man?” Ethan isn’t that much older than me, and I think his maturity just makes him that much sexier.
“I think you said older man, not old,” he corrects me.
“Are you sure? Maybe your memory isn’t what it used to be. You should probably put me down, I don’t want to hurt you. Old men have to be careful when it comes to strenuous activity.” I barely get the last sentence out, I’m laughing so hard.
“I’ll show you what an older man can do,” he says as he throws me onto the bed and makes love to me.
Chapter 16
Ethan
It’s been one week since the virtual St. James family meeting and we just drove into Star Mountain. Clara is nervous about being back, but there’s no reason for her to be. She’s been dying to see her niece and catch up with her family in person.
I’m looking forward to meeting everyone too. I’ve talked to her brother Wilder twice since the video call and we have a lot in common. He’s invited us over for dinner once we are settled back in.
“You know we have to go to my mom’s for dinner on Sunday since we will be here,” Clara says as we pull up in her driveway.
“You’ve told me several times. Everything is going to be okay, Clara. I’m excited to be here and you don’t need to entertain me or try to make this fun. I grew up in a very similar town, I know what to expect.”
“I know, I’m just worried that we’ve had such an exotic and secluded beginning to our relationship that the real-world intruding is going to make everything fall apart.” I can feel the tension radiating off her and I hate that she’s worried.
“Are you going to love me less in this real world you're envisioning?” I ask.
“Absolutely not.”
“I’m not going to love you less either. If anything, this neurotic side is making me love you more. I was afraid you were too perfect and now I know you’re a little crazy.”
Clara laughs, but as we open her door and she finds her whole family waiting in her living room, she screams and turns to me.
“Did you do this?”
“Maybe?”
She rushes into my arms and kisses me passionately before her brothers complain and make her stop. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Go enjoy some time with your family.”
She runs off to grab her niece and hug each member of her family. I stand back and watch her float around the room.
Each person comes over and says a few words to me, but my eyes never leave my beautiful Clara. She’s radiant and I can’t believe that after all the second guessing she’s mine. Now, I just need to find the right time to pop that all-important question. I already have the ring in my pocket, and I ask for her father’s blessing when I get a chance to speak to him alone.
I had planned to ask her in some exotic location, or maybe on the boat where we fell in love, but after she says goodnight to her family and falls to her couch in happy exhaustion, I realize I can’t wait another moment.
“Clara, I need to ask you something.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
I get down on my knee in front of her and she sits straight up on the couch.
