Page 125 of The Secrets We Built Together

I settled Amelia into her high chair, securing the buckle before turning to help. Just as I was about to ask what needed doing, the front door burst open, and Dex's voice boomed through the house.

"Where's the happy couple? I demand to see the ring before Booker bursts from anticipation!"

Xander appeared in the doorway, shaking his head at his brother's antics. "In here, you drama queen."

Reece rushed past Booker, making a beeline for me and grabbing my hand. "Let me see, let me see!"

I laughed, extending my hand so she could examine the ring. "Careful, I'm starting to suspect you're more excited about this wedding than I am."

"Impossible," she declared, her eyes wide as she admired the diamond. "But oh my God, it's gorgeous. Xander has taste after all."

"Hey," Xander protested, but he was grinning.

"It's perfect," I said, meeting his eyes over Reece's head. "Everything's perfect."

"Alright, everyone," Trace called, clapping his hands to get our attention. "Food's ready. Let's eat before it gets cold."

We all settled around the dining table, which had been extended to accommodate our growing family. Amelia babbled happily from her high chair, occasionally throwing bits of food that Cade dutifully retrieved.

"A toast," Booker said, raising his glass once everyone was seated. "To Blake and Xander, who somehow managed to fake an engagement so convincingly that they fooled themselves into the real thing."

Everyone laughed, and I felt my cheeks flush. It sounded ridiculous when put like that, but it was also painfully accurate.

"To finding love in unexpected places," Reece added, her eyes soft as she looked at Booker, rescuing us from our embarrassment.

"To family," Dex said, raising his glass higher. "Found and made."

"To fresh starts," Jasper added quietly, and Xander, sitting next to me, reached over and squeezed my hand.

"To all of it," Xander said, looking at me with that same intensity that never failed to make my heart race. "Every unexpected, ridiculous, amazing part of it."

"Hear, hear," everyone chorused, clinking glasses.

As dinner progressed, conversation flowed easily around the table. Booker updated everyone on the ranch's rehabilitation center, while Dex talked about his automotive maintenanceclasses that had become surprisingly popular among the town's residents.

"It's amazing how Willowbrook has changed this past year," Delaney observed. "So, have you two set a date yet?"

Xander and I exchanged glances. "Not exactly," I admitted. "We've talked about next fall, maybe October..."

"October would be beautiful," Reece sighed dreamily. "The leaves changing, crisp autumn air..."

As dinner wound down and Delaney brought out dessert—a spectacular chocolate cake with "Congratulations" piped in elegant script—I looked around the table and felt a wave of gratitude so intense it nearly took my breath away.

These people, this family we'd built... it was everything I'd never dared to dream of having.

Amelia was starting to get fussy, so I lifted her from her high chair and settled her on my lap. She immediately calmed, her little head resting against my chest as her eyelids drooped. The weight of her in my arms, the soft sound of her breathing, filled me with a peace I'd once thought impossible.

"Sleepy girl," Reece observed, smiling softly.

"She had a big day," I said, stroking Amelia's fine hair. "Didn't you, strawberry? Playing with Cade, helping Aunt Delaney decorate..."

"Pretty sure her 'helping' consisted of eating paper scraps," Delaney laughed.

"She's a born artist," I defended, winking at Delaney. "She's just exploring mixed media."

Everyone laughed, and Amelia stirred slightly before settling back against me.

"How's the painting going?" Jasper asked, surprising me. "Xander mentioned you've been working on new pieces for your show next month."

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