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Chapter Twenty-Two
Allison’s mouth opened and closed. Her wide eyes locked with Tori’s. “Oh.” She managed after a few beats. “You and Tobias finally…” she looked to Leah whose expression was almost identical.
“That’s why I wanted to tell you both at the same time, because I knew you’d be speechless,” Tori said and the sipped from her wine glass.
They were at Luke and Leah’s house. They’d decided to meet there to discuss and plan a new event for the new community project they were heading.
“When’s the wedding?” Leah asked, her gaze soft. “It’s so romantic. I can’t wait to see you both together.”
Tori sighed. “It is romantic. You won’t believe the change in him.”
“Speak of Dr. Jekyll, he just pulled up,” Allison said, motioning to the huge front window of the living room.
Sure enough, Tobias was climbing out of his truck and placed the puppies down. Luke walked over from whatever he was doing.
“Don’t make a big deal,” Tori warned. “We’ve only been a couple for two weeks. So we’re still getting used to things.”
“I’m so excited,” Leah said with a wide smile. “You guys were meant to be.”
Allison high-fived Leah. “I told you the other day, didn’t I?”
“Told her what?” Tori narrowed her eyes.
“That something was afoot,” Allison replied with a grin. “You are glowing and shit.”
When the twins walked in, Tori couldn’t tear her eyes from them. They were so alike and yet so different. Luke was bulkier, his expression always cautious, as if always on alert. Tobias, on the other hand, had a more relaxed demeanor.
Luke looked to them and scowled. Leah and Allison held their wine glasses halfway to their lips, eyes moving between Tori and Tobias.
“What’s going on?” Luke asked no one in particular and Tobias nudged him with his elbow.
“Let’s grab a beer and go out back. The puppies are digging.”
Everyone turned and, sure enough, Bella and Stella were making good progress on a hole. Leah gasped. “So much for my garden. You better go out there and stop those two.”
Tobias winked at Tori and walked through the living area and past the kitchen to the back. Meanwhile, Luke made a beeline for the refrigerator.
“They’re so cute,” Allison said, grinning.
“The puppies?” Leah asked.
“Yes, but that’s not who I was referring to. After all these years, I am still shaken up when I see them together. So identical,” Allison remarked.
Leah laughed. “I can tell the difference immediately. Luke is cuter.”
Both looked at Tori who shrugged. “I can tell who’s who, and I think Tobias has a bit of an edge in the good looks department.”
Luke cleared his throat. “Seriously? That’s what you three still talk about? Boys.”
“Yep,” all three replied in unison.
He walked out to where Tobias was attempting to keep the puppies from returning to their project.
“I didn’t knowyou’d be over at my brother’s,” Tobias said that night. It was early evening, the sun not yet setting. Tobias was setting up a pen of sorts in a closed in area he’d built on the back deck. It would be where Bella and Stella would stay whenever he left the ranch. They were not quite yet potty trained and he didn’t like crating them for long periods.
Tori neared and peered down. “Wow, I’m almost jealous of them. Plush beds, toys and rawhides. Plus enough room for them to play and be out of the elements if it rains.”
He crawled out of the enclosure. “Knowing those two, they’ll drag everything out into the rain and scratch at the back door.”
