Page 107 of Galen's Redemption
Katy snorted. “This is all Meg’s doing. As soon as we bought the house, she went online and made a few retailers very happy.” She sighed. “God, I love her.”
“What did you need from me?”
“We need a big, strong man to help us lug some boxes in here.” She grinned. “And Lincoln’s busy.”
Noel barked a laugh. “Screw you. You’re stronger than me.”
Katy shrugged. “This is true. Actually, we have a gift for you, and I wanted to give it to you away from everyone else.”
“But… I didn’t get you anything.”
“Is Lincoln happy? Wait. Let me answer that for you. He’s over the moon. That’s thanks to you. So you gave me the best gift you ever could have. Now shut up and let’s go.” She grabbedhis hand and dragged him off into another room.
“Did you ever expect him to turn out like this?”
The deep voice left no doubt who was behind Robert. He turned and found Lincoln standing there with two glasses of eggnog in hand. He held one out to Robert, who took it gratefully.
“You mean, happy? Yes, I knew one day he would find his way again. He just needed to step out of his comfort zone.”Robert decided to test the waters a bit. “I’m sorry to hear about your father.”
Lincoln scoffed. “Please. He stopped being my father years ago. Fathers want you to be happy, and the only thing he ever cared about was himself. Did you know they called me to say he was in trouble and thought I’d come running back? No way in hell. I’m surprised Galen didn’t snap the job up. He’s wanted it for aslong as I can remember.”
“Did you ask them?”
“Of course. They said he was ‘no longer employed with Primal.’ That shocked the shit out of me. I figured with the old man gone, they’d have to hold him back from jumping into the big chair.”
“Hm. Who knows?”
“Okay, so listen. I need to ask you a favor.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
Lincoln twisted his head from side to side. “Katy’s keeping Noel busy becauseI wanted to talk to you. Tonight I’m going to ask Noel to marry me.”
“What? Congratulations!”
“Thanks. The thing is, no wedding party would be complete without Noel’s ‘father.’ And it’s old-fashioned and everything, but I wanted to know if you’d give us your blessing.”
Wow. Lincoln was asking Robert if he was okay with him marrying Noel? Seriously?
“Hell yes. Noel’s wanted to find his happily-ever-after,and I know you’re going to be the man who’ll give it to him.”
Lincoln gave a wide smile, showing off his pearly white teeth. “Thank you. And that brings you to my next question. Would you be part of the wedding?”
Wow. That was huge. Except… Lincoln should be asking Galen.
“But what about your brother?”
“He doesn’t want to be part of our lives. He made that perfectly clear.”
“But Noel saidhe came to warn you after your father tried to pay him to leave.”
A tilt of the head. “He did, but then when he left, he was angry as hell. Honestly, I don’t know what to think anymore where he’s concerned. Regardless, he’s the one who’d have to make the overture. I’ve had my hand bitten once too often to hold it out again.”
Hope bloomed in Robert’s chest. Lincoln didn’t say no. He said Galenwould have to come to them. He could only hope that Galen would follow through on his promise to try after the new year.
Because a man needed a whole family, without regrets. And that was the one thing Robert wanted most for Galen. To be happy.
