Page 123 of The Rules We Broke
Doris, bless her heart, was coming over to aunt-sit. She wasn’t big on church, but she was dear as they came. And she believed she could worship God just fine all on her own, especially when the church in town was divided into two.
Aunt Lu had been sleeping more lately, so I didn’t see her before I left with Brady.
I was almost relieved.
She’d find out soon enough where I sat. Andwhy.I didn’t want to explain it—not yet. Because if she knew it was Isaac who’d asked, I wasn’t sure which she’d find harder to believe. That he’d extended the invite. Or that I’d accepted it.
The drive to church was quiet.
Brady held my hand the entire time, squeezing it every few minutes like he knew I needed the reminder that I wasn’t alone. That was the extent of our communication until we pulled into the church parking lot. And maybe that was for the best—because I was pretty sure Doris’s lovingly prepared breakfast was about to make an encore appearance.
As soon as he turned off the truck, I took a long, shaky breath. This felt wrong. No one should feel this kind of dread heading into church.
I turned to him. “Remind me again of your nieces and nephews’ names. And who belongs to whom?”
He rattled it off like a seasoned family reunion planner. “Bailey and Brinley are Beau’s twin daughters—eighteen. His son’s named after him—sixteen. Booker’s got Joshua—also sixteen, and Carden—she’s thirteen.”
Apparently the Jacksons had a thing for B names. I was entering a thematic minefield.
“Okay. I think I got it.” I didn’t, but I hoped they wouldn’t quiz me.
Brady reached over and rubbed my shoulders, slow and firm. “Ellie, it’s going to be okay.”
I gripped his hand like it was the only thing tethering me to earth. “Don’t you dare leave my side. Not for a minute. Not even a second.”
He grinned. “Darlin’, I don’t ever plan on leaving your side.”
I looked down at myself, suddenly unsure. “Do I look alright?”
His gaze swept over me—charcoal-gray fitted dress, tan mid-length jacket, matching scarf, and high-heeled boots. I’d tried to dress like confidence even if I didn’t feel it.
He leaned in and kissed my cheek, voice low and teasing. “I can barely contain myself.”
“Hmm. I could work with that.” I leaned in, practically purring. “We could always leave. Find somewhere secluded.” Just to make out, obviously. Like, some serious making out.
Brady groaned, eyes closing for a beat. “Ellie, you’re too tempting.”
“But not temptingenough,” I teased, though the ache in my chest was real. Facing all of his family today was the last thing I wanted to do.
He opened his eyes, the struggle clear in them. “You’re more than tempting. But . . . my daddy.”
“I know,” I whispered.
And I did know. I’d seen the hollow under Mr. Jackson’s eyes, the slow movements, the silent winces. His struggle to breathe. He probably didn’t have many Christmases left.
Brady wasn’t choosing between me and desire. He was choosing to honor the man who’d raised him. And somehow, that made me love him more.
“Thank you.” He brushed a quick kiss across my lips. “So . . . you ready?”
“No,” I replied truthfully, “but let’s go.”
He helped me out of the truck, his arm settling around me like armor. We weren’t as much of an attraction as the previous week. Maybe the novelty was wearing off. Maybe we were finally becoming old news. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Brady kept his arm firm around me as we stepped into the chapel. We were the last of his family to arrive, and the moment we passed through the double doors, Caroline broke free from the pews and launched herself at me.
“Good morning, sugar,” I smiled down at her sweet, eager face.
“Miss Ellie, my cousins are here!” she announced, bursting with joy.
