Page 108 of Fresh Tracks
I look back at my family and shrug. “And to answer your question, it was in Tahoe last month. We just knew. It felt right. We wanted this and went to a wedding chapel one night on the Nevada side of the lake.”
Tanner looks genuinely stunned and angry. Through his rugged exterior, I don’t miss the little bit of hurt in his eyes.
“We were going to tell everyone tonight,” Tommy says. I lookup to see him still peering down at me with nothing but love and affection.
I smile up at him before turning back to my brother. “So I guess you guys get to find out now instead.”
I look over to see Grandma, her eyes flicking back and forth between Tommy and me. She’s grinning ear to ear, just like she was at Tanner’s wedding when she first met Tommy at the reception. I swear she might burst if she gets any more excitement today. At least this is good news compared to the reason she came to the hospital.
“Dad, are you really OK with this?” Tanner stands there, turning his palms up.
A laugh I haven’t heard in ages, practically a boyish giggle comes from beside the bed. Beside Tommy, my dad is smiling and shaking his head. I haven’t seen him smile or laugh that way since Mom died.
He ignores my brother and replaces Tommy at my side, who reluctantly takes a step back. “Grace, honey, if your mom would be proud of anything, it would be this. This is the mostherthing you’ve ever done.”
Tears pricks the corner of my eyes. I only ever wanted my family to accept my decisions. Their approval would never stop me from doing what I want, but hearing him say that, right now, means more than he could ever know. Although from the look in his eyes, I’m pretty sure he might have at least some clue.
“You guys got married on the ranch,” Tanner says, still clearly not thrilled.
Another laugh, this time from Grandpa, in the corner of the room. “No they didn’t. Your mom and your dad were the most impatient teens we’d ever seen.”
Tanner looks to Grandpa and then Dad, whose warm grin only widens.
Grandpa laughs again. “The wedding on the ranch wasn’ttheiractualwedding. We did that because your mom and dad drove to Vegas the day after they graduated high school and got married. We didn’t want to upset all of our friends and family in the whole damn town, so we did that wedding. You know how small towns are. We’d have never heard the end of it if there wasn’t a wedding for everyone to come to.”
A moment passes where everyone in the room looks around in stunned disbelief. Even I didn’t know that story, but knowing Mom, it makes so much more sense than the wedding I've seen in the family photo album.
Sensing my oldest brother’s lingering apprehension, my dad gestures between Tommy and me. “Look at his face and tell me he doesn’t love her as much, or maybe even more, than any of us. I was a bit worried he was going to throw the doc through the damn wall when he got here. As far as I’m concerned, he’s part of this family now.”
This time, Tanner looks between Tommy and me. I finally, finally see his expression soften. The corner of his lips tug up into a remorseful smile and he gives me one curt nod.
“Welcome to the family, TJ.” Everyone in the room looks over to see Dad extending a hand toward Tommy.
A wave of emotion hits me all at once. Never once in my adult life did I think I’d find a man I’d want to call my own. Now my dad, still as tall and rugged as my brothers, is holding his hand out for the man of my dreams — my husband — to shake.
I know how much this means to Tommy too. He might have Jake, but he's never truly had a family to call his own. I don’t even think my dad realizes the meaning of what he just said to him. Tommy swallows hard and I can see him trying to hold back his emotions. He extends his hand and gives my dad’s one firm pump.
“Thankyou, sir.”
“Hold on a second.” A familiar voice practically squeals. “Did someone say married?”
We all look over to the door to see Lizzy, still in the hallway but poking her head in the cracked door.
Clay groans. “Fuck it. The doctor’s gone. Get in here, Princess. Join the party.”
She wastes no time making her way to her fiancé and sitting in his lap. It’s standing room only in here, fitting given that Tommy finally showed up. She looks at Veronica and then me. “You know you’re going to have to spill all the tea later, right?”
CHAPTER 47
TJ
YOUR SHOW NOW
I dropGrace’s bag down inside our bedroom door.
She steps into the room after me and I hear her sigh in relief. “Oh, thank god, I’m home. I need a real shower.”
Home.
