Page 104 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
“We thought we would christen your new place with Christmas breakfast,” Kayla says with a big smile.
“Too late, we already did that,” Sawyer replies with a dirty grin.
Oh. My. God. I can’t believe he just said that!
I slap him and my face heats with embarrassment.
“Sawyer!” Catherine scolds him.
The guys exchange knowing looks and all laugh, finding it funny.
Kayla shrugs, as if it’s no big deal, then goes to put the food down on the table next to her. “Wait. Is it safe to put food here?”
Oh god!
“Yes it is. Sawyer is lyin’!” I glare over at his amused grin, daring him to call me out. Thankfully he doesn’t.
After the girls put their food down, we all do a group hug and wish each other a Merry Christmas. I briefly register Sawyer’s mom and sisters hugging Cade. They back off quickly though, clearly knowing how uncomfortable he gets… well except his mom. She plants kisses all over his face, not caring in the least.
“It’s so beautiful in here, Grace,” Julia says softly drawing my attention back to her. “I’ve been dying for this day to come. It took every ounce of will power I had to keep this secret from you.”
“It’s incredible, isn’t it? I can’t believe Sawyer and his family did this for me.”
“Well, Cupcake, we can’t take all the credit. There is one more person who contributed to this.”
I look over at Sawyer to see him leaning back against the counter, arms crossed, with a smirk on his sexy face.
“Oh?” I ask curiously.
He nods his head to someone behind me. “It’s Mac’s land, baby. He signed it over to you.”
I whip my head towards Mac, who’s looking a little sheepish about being called out. My hand covers my heart as emotion wells up inside of me again. “This is your land?” I always assumed the town owned it.
He smiles, his once battered face almost completely healed. “Not anymore, it’s yours now, darlin’.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “I should have known you had something to do with this.”
Walking over, I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his chest. “I love you so much, Mac. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
He hugs me back tightly. “I love you too darlin’. Merry Christmas.”
Silence falls over the room during our exchange until Sawyer breaks it a minute later by introducing everyone to his family. Givin’ Mac one last squeeze, I begin to step back but he keeps his hold on me. “What do you think about an old man workin’ for you?”
“You want to work here with me?” I ask in surprise.
He shrugs, “Sure, why the hell not. What else am I going to do? Then I can also keep an eye on my girl, make sure she’s being taking care of.”
My heart overflows with warmth at his words. “I would love for you to be here with me, Mac. And I promise, I won’t make ya wear one of the uniform dresses,” I tease.
He grunts, amused, “I’ll stick to the back like I did with the diner.” Gigglin’, I frame his face and give him a smooch on the cheek. “Whoa! What the hell is that?” I hear Kayla shout.
Looking over, I see her staring at my hand that’s on Mac’s face, the same hand with the pink diamond ring. Catherine gasps when she looks at where Kayla is pointing.
“Oh…” not knowing what to say I glance at Sawyer for help.
He starts walking over to me; not seeming the least bit fazed this is how people are finding out. “That,” he says slinging an arm around my shoulders, “is my woman’s engagement ring,” he explains with a big smile. “I asked Grace to marry me this morning and she, of course, said yes.”
Squeals and collective gasps fall over all the girls before they rush up to me.
Sawyer’s sisters and mom reach me first. Pushing Sawyer to the side they wrap their arms around me. “Oh this is the best Christmas present ever,” Catherine gushes with tears in her eyes.
“I knew you were going to be our sister one day. Turns out my brother isn’t such a dummy after all,” Jesse says teasingly.
Laughing, I hug them back tightly, loving that I’m going to get to be a part of this family forever.
As they turn their attention to Sawyer, my girls surround me next. All of us squeal and jump up and down excitedly.
“I’m so happy for you, Grace.” Julia says with misty eyes. Katelyn laughs when Kayla rolls her eyes, attempting to hide that hers are also glassy.
Grams walks up next, framing my face she kisses each of my cheeks. “I am so happy for you, my sweet Grace.”
I hug her back warmly before stepping back. “Thanks everyone. I’m so darn happy. I still can’t believe any of this. This has just been the best Christmas ever.”
Kayla grabs my hand now. “And Jesus, what a rock. I have to admit, Evans, you have good taste. The size of that diamond is almost as big as your head.”
Everyone laughs, especially his sisters. Sawyer grins proudly, not being insulted in the least. “Of course I have good taste, look who I picked,” he replies winking at me.
I smile back at him, what a sexy charmin’ bugger.
After everyone else passes on their congratulations to us, I turn to Mac, who’s still in the same spot, watchin’ me with a grin. “So my darlin’s getting married.”
Walking over, I wrap my arms around his waist again and look up at him with a smile. “I am. What would this old man think about walkin’ me down the aisle?”
His grin spreads and his eyes turn a little glassy, “Well… that would make me damn proud girl… Damn proud.”
Leaning down, he kisses my cheek before giving me one of his usual bear hugs. “I’m glad you’re accepting this place, Grace. You deserve it, all of it and I know Sawyer will take good care of you.”
I nod into his chest since I’m too choked up to speak.
