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The breath punched out of him.
“Yes. That.”
I shrugged.
“This isn’t the first time you’ve walked in on me with a boyfriend. Maybe you should learn how to knock.”
Dad shot me a look of exasperation. I stifled a grin. Oh, this felt good. I loved getting a rise out of him, watching his composure crack because I managed to annoy him so well. It almost seemed like everything was normal again.
Bowen stepped forward and extended his hand to Dad.
“I’d like to ask for your blessing now, sir,” he said. “I realize it’s a little late, but it would mean the world to Avery to have your approval.”
Dad’s gaze shifted from Bowen to me.
“If you think my daughter gives a damn about whether or not she has my approval, you have a lot to learn.” He accepted Bowen’s hand with a firm grip. “But you’re a good man, Bowen. You have my blessing."
I bounced on my toes, so giddy with happiness that I felt like I could float. I wrapped my arms around Bowen’s neck. He hugged me back, crushing me against his chest.
“One more thing,” Dad said.
Bowen and I broke apart to look at him. He retrieved an envelope from the mantel above the fireplace and held it up.
“This house is too big for just me and Birdie. It’s much better suited to a couple who are looking to start a family. Plenty of rooms to fill with grandchildren.”
Dad handed the envelope to me. I opened it. Inside was the deed to the house, now belonging to Bowen Lynch and Avery McCall.
“I warned Grady that it’s a little early to be thinking about wedding plans,” Birdie put in. “But he wanted to apologize, and as you already know, it’s all or nothing with him.”
“It’s not an apology,” Dad protested.
“Looks like one to me,” I replied.
“I’m still stuck on the part where Grady McCall said he wanted grandkids,” Bowen said with the twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth. “You old softie.”
“Believe me, I’m not ready to be called grandpa yet. So, there’s no need to rush into anything.”
A comfortable silence settled over the room as I glanced down at the deed in my hand. I had my family back together again, and a future full of promises to look forward to. Bowen looped an arm around my waist, smoothing his thumb over my hip.
“Does this mean you might reconsider staying for dinner?” Birdie piped up.
“That depends,” I said. “Would Bowen be getting his old job back?”
Dad huffed a laugh.
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“You taught me everything I know.”
He considered for a moment, then shook his head.
“No, I can’t give Bowen his old job back.”
My smile dropped.
“Why not?”
“If he’s going to be part of the family, I won’t have Bowen sleeping in the foreman’s cabin. It’s about time I made Bowen a partner in my business anyway.”
