Chapter 13

chapter

thirteen

Graham

“Stay right there.” I tell her, then lift her off my body. I come back and clean her off, then settle into the bed next to me. She immediately scoots closer and puts her head on my chest.

A man could get used to this. Hot, sweaty sex, followed by quiet cuddles.

“That was incredible,” I tell her.

“I know. Has sex always been that good for you?” she asks.

“No, not even close. With you, it’s so much more.”

“Cut from the same cloth,” she says.

“Exactly.”

But something else pounds through my body. Soulmate. Your one. You love her.

“You said you’d never had sex without a condom before.”

“That’s right,” I tell her.

“And that you were ready to do it with me. What did you mean by that? Ready?”

I blow out a breath. “My brother was caught by a woman—his first wife—who basically trapped him into marriage when she got pregnant. Because of the money.”

“Oh, so I take it the fortune isn’t just yours?”

“No, family money. At one point, my family owned most of this county and several others. We maintain the mineral rights, which means we have money from ranching, development, and oil.” I make lazy circles on her back, loving the feel of her body on mine. I’ve never been a snuggler before, never felt the urge until her.

“He married her and soon realized that she hadn’t been faithful. But he hadn’t wanted a prenup, so she divorced him and got a good chunk of change. It’s not even about the money, we have more than enough to share. It’s the deception. He got their kid in the divorce and she told him later she didn’t even think it was really his son.”

“That’s terrible. Did he do a paternity test?”

“No. Said it doesn’t matter to him, that Leo is his son, regardless. He told Leo and said he’d pay for the test if he wanted one, but my nephew agreed that it didn’t matter.”

“Wow. So that’s why you were so angry when you thought I’d found you after that night.”

I blow out a breath. “Yeah, I regret thinking that about you. I know, now, that kind of deception is just not in you. It was a knee-jerk reaction. Forgive me? I’m sorry for accusing you.”

“Nothing to forgive. I think we were both pretty freaked out to see each other again. My sister and I actually have an inheritance from my dad. It hasn’t cleared all the legal hoops or whatever, but I love knowing that my kids won’t have to go into debt to get a degree.”

“I know that must be very reassuring for you. Financial security is the only thing I’ve ever known. But I’ve seen plenty of patients and others who have so little.”

“It’s why you don’t turn away any patients, regardless of the insurance or whatever?”

“How did you know about that?”

“Carol. She showed me the code to use in the system so it will show as paid and they never get any bills. That’s incredibly generous.”

I’m uncomfortable with her praise because giving to people who lack just seems like the natural, humane thing to do. I couldn’t spend all my money in one lifetime, no reason for it to rot in a bank or IRA when there are people who could use it.

She’s quiet for a moment while she draws invisible doodles on my chest. “You’re not worried that I’ll get pregnant? I mean no birth control is ever a hundred percent effective.”

“Nah, sugar. You have amazing kids. If we made one, regardless of intention, I’m be happy as fuck.”

I’m not sure if she heard any of that though, because her breathing has evened out. I wait until I know for sure she’s asleep, then creep out of bed. I pull on some flannel pants and grab my phone.

After looking in on the kids and finding them both sleeping, I go into my study and send a text to Bram.

ME: I think I’m in love with Lizzie.

brAM: No shit.

ME: What does that mean?

brAM: You were already in love with her when you came to my house a few weeks ago. For a smart guy, you’re kind of a dumbass.

ME: Always so supportive.

brAM: What are you gonna do about it?

ME: Don’t suppose you have an extra engagement ring laying around?

brAM: Give me half an hour.

I’m not even sure what that means, but Bram has ways. Sure enough, thirty minutes later, he softly knocks on my front door. Emma is standing behind him, all smiles. Then she shoves her husband out of the way and pulls me into a hug.

“I’m so happy for you. And so proud of you. You’re an amazing man, Graham, and you deserve to have a family of your own. I’m glad you finally realized that.” She ends her hug by giving me a smack on the side of my head.

“What was that for?” I ask.

“Your stubbornness.”

“Fair enough.” I nod. “Why did you come all the way to my house this late?”

“To bring you this,” Bram holds up a small ring box. “It probably won’t be what she wants, but it will do the job until she can pick out something better.”

I open the box and look down at the ring. Relief pours over me when I see that it’s not a ring I recognize. Meaning it’s not his dead wife’s ring. I was afraid of that for a moment.

It’s a delicate ring. The stones aren’t huge or showy. In a white metal, gold or platinum, I’m not sure. There’s filigree decorating the band and a center diamond flanked by sapphires. It’s beautiful.

“Where did you get it?”

“Madison’s shop. She always has rings and other jewelry.” Bram lifts a shoulder in a shrug. “Figured this would do in a pinch.”

“It’s perfect, man. Thanks.” I pull him into a hug. “Truly. Thank you.”

“Always got your back. You know that.” He steps back. “We should probably introduce the ladies to each other at some point so they can be friends.”

“Yes,” Emma says happily. “Someone new to hang out with. Do you know if she likes to go antiquating? This big buy isn’t too keen on it.”

“I still take you.”

“I know. And you don’t even complain. But you scowl at everyone around us.”

I chuckle. “That sounds about right. And I don’t know. But I’ll ask her. Or you can when y’all meet.”

Bran lifts his chin towards the house. “Her kids?”

“Yeah. Love them too. I guess maybe I’ve just been waiting for them this whole time.”

My best friend nods and pats me on the arm. “Let me know if you need any tips in the romance department.”

I roll my eyes, then step back into my house.