Page 71 of Mine to Love
“I like Sandra.” Gabriel looped his arm through Liberty’s. “So, Miles, when are you going to ask my sister to marry you?”
“Yeah, son. When’s that happening?” Her dad smacked Miles on the back.
He coughed, pounding on his chest.
All she could do was grin from ear to ear.
Not all was forgiven.
But the past was behind them.
This was a fresh start. A clean slate. A new beginning.
And Miles was hers to love.
16
FOUR MONTHS LATER…
“Let me get that.” Miles took the tray from Rumor. “Where is your idiot husband anyway?”
“You mean your brother?” Rumor laughed. “Chained to the bed.”
Miles nearly dropped the tray of drinks.
“I’m joking.” She patted Miles’ back. “He’s arguing with your mother about baby names.”
“Good luck with that.” Miles set the tray on the table and kissed Liberty’s sweet lips. “Here you go.”
“Why, thank you.” She took the cocktail and sipped. “Damn, Emmerson makes a mean margarita.”
“He sure does.” Miles straddled one of the chairs and waved to Gabriel. “He looks perplexed.”
“He’s about to lose his first game of chess to my dad.” Liberty laughed. “Never thought I’d enjoy having that man back in my life, but dammit, I do.”
“He’s not the worst person in the world,” Miles said.
“Nope. He’s not.” Liberty sipped her drink. “And now that Charlie and his father have been sentenced to thirty years in prison, we all can really rest easy.”
“We sure can.” Miles had never been more grateful than when that sentence had been handed down. “Steven’s niece, Stephanie, is totally enamored by Gabriel. It’s kind of cute.”
“He likes her too and I hate to admit it, but she’s good for him,” Liberty said. “Helps him even out his emotions. I just hope things keep going slowly.”
“What’s slow? Because I saw them kissing in the garage,” Rumor said. “Might have been some fondling.”
“Wonderful. I’m so not ready for that,” Liberty sighed. “So, Rumor, how are you feeling these days?”
“Well, the morning sickness is completely gone, but these two rascals are already kicking the hell out of my bladder.” She patted her rounded belly. “I get up like five times a night to pee and it makes Emmerson crazy. The man is the biggest worrywart.”
“I can’t say as I blame him,” Miles said. “He nearly lost you when you got shot and then the scare with the twins. He’s been walking on eggshells ever since.”
“Doc says these babies are healthy.” Rumor stretched out her legs on the lounge chair. “I hope Emmerson isn’t getting too bad of an earful about our name choices. She can be one tough nut.”
“You picked names?” Liberty smiled. “Are you going to tell us?”
Rumor nodded. “Our little girl will be Bethany Blue.”
Liberty swallowed. Hard. “You’re going to use my last name as your child’s middle name? I don’t know what to even think about that.”
