Page 98 of Brands

I can feel Blue stiffen as he lets me down slowly.

“Are you still mad?” I ask Dad tentatively.

The last thing I want is them fighting any more.

He shakes his head, then drops his cowboy hat into his hands, fidgeting with the brim. “I just, I gotta know…” His voice trails off and he clears his throat. “I mean, I get it if it’s true. Gotta commend you, buddy, for doing the right thing.”

“What are you trying to say?” I think I have a feeling, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to play along.

“I, um. Am I gonna be a grandpa?” he stammers out.

“No, Dad.” I knew it. My arms cross my chest as I fight the flare of anger.

But Blue laughs. “Not yet, Clay. But I’m damn sure gonna try tonight.”

My dad’s face mottles as he blinks over his rapidly opening and closing mouth.

“I’m glad you married for love,” he finally says quietly with a long sigh. “This is gonna take me some time to get used to.” Sadness tightens his eyes when he looks at me. “I’m sorry, Lib. I know I pushed you away. I just got so wrapped up in wanting you to have a better life than me, I forgot to see that you were more than capable of choosing your own.”

“So Clay, does this mean I get to call you ‘daddy’ too?” Blue chuckles.

Fuck, that makes me giggle as the change in dynamic hits me.

Even my dad smiles, shaking his head. “Baby steps, buddy. Every time I see you touch her, I’m still trying not to want to punch you again.”

“You know what? If I ever hurt her, I’ll give you every right to.” Blue steps closer, extending his palm.

Dad stares at it for a long moment, before meeting it with his own.

God, I’m crying so much today.

“Dixon offered us a ride home. So you two go on, get out of here before I think too hard about where you’re heading.” Dad backs away, waving his hat at us like he’s herding cattle.

“Love you,” I call out before climbing into my seat.

“Ditto,” he grunts.

Blue’s thumb works up his swollen nose as he checks himself in the rearview mirror. “Well, that went betterthan expected. And I still got the jackpot after that prizefight.” He flattens his hand, extending his newly decorated ring finger. “The best treasure ofall.”

Chapter Thirty-five

Blue

“Where are we going?”She looks out the window as I turn onto a familiar road.

“Home, baby.” I smirk watching the confusion knit her brow.

“But it’s like we’re going back to the dairy.”

“Close.” Turning onto the lane leading to the massive barns, I cut around to the far side away from the house.

“There it is.” My hand squeezes her thigh as she sits up higher.

“Is that a fifth wheel?” Her head twists between me and the windshield.

I slow down and park next to Wade’s truck. “I was hoping he’d still be here so I could thank him. This is his wedding present to us. We get to use the camper as long as we need it.”

Excitedly, she turns and clamps my cheeks, peppering my chin and lips with rapid kisses. “You did this so I’d be close enough to help if Dad needsit?”

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