Page 23 of Stuff My Turkey
As Knox and Bitsy headed inside with their matching designer luggage, Heath leaned close to me.
"You okay?" he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.
"Fine," I whispered back. "Just wasn't expecting his fiancée to be so..."
"Enthusiastic?"
"I was going to say 'actually nice,' but that works too."
Inside, Knox was already giving Bitsy the abbreviated tour, pointing out features of the farmhouse as if he owned the place. "Dad built this fireplace by hand... Mom picked out these curtains before they moved to South Padre... I caught a nine-pound bass in that photo when I was twelve..."
I caught Heath's eye and saw his jaw tighten, the small muscle near his temple jumping. Knox's casual appropriation of family history clearly hit a nerve. I wondered how often Heath had to listen to his brother claim credit for a heritage he'd chosen to leave behind.
"Who's thirsty?" I asked, desperate to break the tension. "I could make some hot tea or coffee?"
"OMG, yes!" Bitsy pressed her manicured hands together. "I'm absolutely freezing after that drive. The heater in the Beamer takes forever to warm up properly."
In the kitchen, I filled the kettle while Bitsy perched on a barstool, chattering about their drive, the weather, and the "adorable" town of Bitter Root, which she'd already documented extensively on her Instagram stories, complete with hashtags like #TexasLiving and #CountryChic.
"So," she leaned forward conspiratorially, lowering her voice to a whisper that could probably still be heard in Austin, "you and Heath? How did that happen? I mean, it's just so romantic, you finding love with Knox's brother!"
I nearly dropped the tea bags. "Um, well—"
"We reconnected at a charity event," Heath supplied from the doorway, smoothly delivering our rehearsed story. "Legal Aid fundraiser in Austin. Started talking, realized there was something there."
"Oh my God, that's literally the plot of a Hallmark movie!" Bitsy squealed. "Ex's brother falls for the girl who got away! I can't even! #SecondChanceLove!"
Knox appeared behind Heath, clapping a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Small world, huh? Though I always thought Honey was too uptight for ranch life." He winked at me. "No offense."
"None taken," I replied with saccharine sweetness. "And I always thought you were too self-absorbed for a meaningful relationship, yet here you are, engaged. Life is full of surprises."
Bitsy giggled, seemingly missing the barb entirely. "Speaking of which, we have big news!" She wiggled her fingers, making her enormous diamond catch the light. "We've set a date! Next May, Memorial Day weekend. It's going to be EPIC."
"Congratulations," Heath said with a nod.
"And," Knox added, "I want you to be my best man, bro. Who better than my big brother to stand beside me?"
Something flickered across Heath's face—surprise, maybe, or reluctance—before he smiled. "I'd be honored."
"And Honey!" Bitsy reached across the counter to touch my arm. "I know we don't really know each other yet, but would you be one of my bridesmaids? I mean, you're dating Heath, and who knows, maybe you two will be next down the aisle." She gave an exaggerated wink. "We could end up sisters!"
I choked on my tea. "That's... that's really sweet of you to ask, Bitsy.”
"Of course!" Her smile didn't dim a watt. "No pressure. Well, maybe a little pressure because I need to order dresses, but we've got time!"
A knock at the door saved me from having to respond further. Heath disappeared to answer it, returning with the Vickerys in tow.
"Look who stopped by to check on the flock," he announced.
Earl and Dottie Vickery swept into the kitchen, Dottie's eyes widening at the sight of our new arrivals.
"Knox McGraw, as I live and breathe!" she exclaimed. "Haven't seen you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper. And who is this lovely young lady?"
Introductions were made, with Bitsy charming the Vickerys instantly. Within minutes, Dottie was admiring Bitsy's engagement ring while Earl and Knox discussed the Austin real estate market.
I stood at the edge of this perfect nuclear family tableau, feeling like a cardboard cutout placed in a real family photo. Heath had drifted to the opposite side of the kitchen, his expression shuttered as he watched Knox regale everyone with stories of his latest luxury property sale.
"Honey, dear," Dottie's voice cut through my thoughts. "I noticed Earl's shirt is missing a button. Would you be a sweetheart and sew it back on? A good rancher's wife needs to know her way around a needle and thread."
