Chapter 45

45

Grace let her fingers drift in the warm summer air out of the car window as Caleb drove them to his parents' house. The road grew steeper, and they swung back and forth in tighter and tighter loops as they climbed higher up the mountain. The scent of pine drifted through the open window. She still couldn't quite believe she was going to live in this gorgeous wilderness with the man she loved.

A swarm of butterflies fluttered their wings in her belly in nervous anticipation. This would be her first time meeting Caleb's parents, Sophie, and Tyler Meyer. She wanted to make a good impression, to show them she was worthy of their son's love and the place she would soon hold in their family.

Sunlight flashed in the diamond solitaire she wore, casting tiny rainbows across her skin. She would be their new daughter-in-law, after all.

"Almost there." Caleb's voice broke through her thoughts, and he reached across the center console to give her knee a reassuring squeeze. "You good?"

"I'm good." She sounded steadier than she felt, but she drew strength from Caleb's presence beside her.

A smile lit up his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners in the way she loved so much. "You have nothing to worry about. Just be yourself, and you'll blow them out of the water."

Grace raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound so easy."

His hand cupped her knee. "With you, it is. Hang on, here we go." He turned the truck off the smooth blacktop and onto a gravel track that wound its way through the trees, the tires crunching over the loose stones.

As they rounded the last bend, a small wooden house came into view. It was a modest two-story building, the wooden shutters painted powder blue. White trim and a wraparound porch completed the picture, along with a swing seat piled with cushions. Her heart skipped a beat as she imagined sitting on that porch with Caleb, watching the sunset paint the sky.

He cut the engine, and the chirping of birds in the surrounding trees broke the sudden silence. Beside the beaten SUV parked closest to the house, Grace recognized Wyatt's sleek T8.

Caleb turned to face her, his eyes earnest. "If I love you, my mom and dad will love you. I promise. Besides, you'll love them. They're great, even if my mom still hasn't given up on that motherly need to know every detail of my life." He grinned, and Grace couldn't help but smile back, feeling some of the tension ease from her shoulders.

He helped her down from his truck, his hands guiding her with a gentle touch. The aroma of sizzling burgers wafted in the air and Grace's mouth watered. "Smells delicious."

"Come on." Caleb's fingers laced with hers as he guided her through a side gate to the rear of the property.

As they rounded the corner, bright bunting fluttered from the rear of the house. An older couple stepped forward to greet them. There was no doubting that these were Caleb's parents. Grace saw the same quiet strength in the way his father held himself, and the same intelligent eyes in his mother's smiling face.

"Caleb, you came, and finally brought your zhenikh." His mother took hold of Grace's hands.

Grace glanced at Caleb, while making a mental note to learn some Russian. What?

He mouthed fiancée.

Ah. A warm glow of happiness spread through her chest.

Sophie kissed her on both cheeks. "My, you chose a pretty one, Caleb, and smart too, from what I wheedled out of Brad."

Caleb rolled his eyes as his dad hugged him. "Mom, you can't say that."

Sophie made a dismissive gesture, waving off her son's objection. "Grace, it is such a pleasure to meet you and welcome you to our family. Caleb has been keeping you far too much to himself."

Warmth rushed Grace at the sincerity of Sophie's words and she instantly felt at ease. Why had she been so worried about meeting his family? They loved Caleb and so did she. "It's so lovely to meet you, Mrs. Meyer. Thank you for inviting me."

"Our pleasure. And please call me Sophie." Sophie released her and stepped back. "This old bear is my husband, Ty."

Caleb's dad stepped into the gap and engulfed her in a brief bear hug. "Welcome. We are delighted to meet you, the woman who makes our son so happy."

"Well, he makes me happy too." She glanced up at Caleb, knowing one thing. Loving this man was easy.

Sophie tucked one arm through Grace's. "Come, let's get you something to eat. You must be starving after the long drive up here."

Sophie led her to the table that dominated the backyard. The scrubbed wood groaned under the weight of brightly colored bowls of salad, crusty bread, and checkered napkins. Wyatt was already there, slicing steak from a wooden platter.

"Grace." For all of his taciturn appearance, there was genuine warmth in his greeting.

"Hi Wyatt."

He set the steak down and came over and kissed her on both cheeks. "I heard from Caleb about the sentencing. That's great news."

"Yes, it is." A life sentence had been lifted from her shoulders.

"You look good. That brother of mine looking after you?"

Grace glanced over her shoulder to where Caleb was chatting with his father. As if sensing her gaze, Caleb caught her eye and winked. A small, intimate moment shared between the two of them. A flutter of happiness danced in her stomach, and she turned back to Wyatt with a contented smile. "He is. You don't need to worry about him."

She tuned her attention back to the tempting spread of food. "Wow, this is impressive."

Sophie's face lit up. "Just a BBQ with a few dishes from home."

"Try mom's Smetannik." Wyatt pointed to a creamy white bowl. "It's less scary than it sounds."

"It's a family recipe. My mother's." Sophie's hands found her hips. "You're family now, Grace. I'll have to give you the recipe."

Family.

Grace's throat constricted with emotion. Her life with Caleb was so much more than just the two of them. It was his family too, and they had welcomed her with open arms, embracing her as one of their own.

Wyatt's smile was tender as he turned to his mother. "Mom, go sit down. You've already cooked enough for an army. You've been running around for hours." His voice held a gentle firmness. "Go sit down, and I'll bring you a glass of wine."

Sophie's brow furrowed. "But Grace is hungry."

Wyatt placed a reassuring hand on his mother's shoulder, guiding her toward a bench nestled under the shade of a nearby tree. "Grace can fill her own plate. Sit. I'll get you a drink."

As Sophie settled onto the bench, Wyatt turned his attention to Grace, gesturing toward a cooler filled with ice. "Drink?"

"A beer would be lovely, thanks."

She accepted the beer from Wyatt, the glass misted with condensation.

Wyatt poured wine and took it over to his mother. Evidently, he was a different man around the women he loved.

"Dada. Dada" High pitched baby squeals drew everyone's attention.

Ryder came around the side of the house, baby Ellie on one arm, an enormous baby change bag slung over the other. His hair was messy, and there was a smear of what appeared to be tomato sauce on his cheek. "Sorry I'm late. Babysitter stood me up at the last minute."

Sophie was already on her feet, her face lighting up at the sight of her granddaughter. "That is not a problem." She scooped Ellie from his arms. "Come to grandma, sweetie."

Ryder dumped the baby change bag on the ground with a relieved sigh and accepted a beer from Wyatt. "I swear, this time I'm hiring a nanny. I'm done with babysitters."

"Someone young and sexy?" Wyatt's eyes held a glint.

Ryder barked a laugh and shook his head. "The only woman I have time for in my life is one and half feet tall. That's more than enough woman for me." He chinked his bottle with Caleb.

Grace made her way over to Sophie and Ellie. Over the past two months, she'd seen a lot more of Ellie, and it was impossible not to fall in love with her. Ellie was pure joy, bottled and made cute.

"How's my favorite tiny person?" Grace leaned in and kissed Ellie's soft hair and breathed in the sweet powdery scent that clung to all babies.

Ellie squealed with delight. "Tantie Tace!" She held out her chubby little arms.

"I think someone wants an auntie hug." Sophie handed Ellie over to Grace with a knowing smile.

Grace gathered Ellie into her arms, hugging her tightly. She squashed the brief sting of sadness that she and Caleb could never have biological children of their own. She already had so much to be grateful for. With Ellie in her arms, she wandered over to join Caleb at the grill.

Ellie pointed a chubby finger in his direction. "Unca Cale. Cookie."

Caleb's cheeks flushed, and he held a finger to his lips, glancing around to make sure Ryder hadn't overheard. "Hush, sweetie. Later, after Uncle Caleb has cooked you a nice juicy burger with cheese. Does that sound delicious?"

Ellie nodded, her face solemn. "Soon. Unca Cale cookie?"

He tweaked her nose. "Yes. Soon."

He caught Grace's expression. "Hey? What's up?"

Grace kissed the top of Ellie's head again, inhaling the sweet baby scent. "Just thinking about kids and things."

Caleb's expression softened, and he reached out to take her free hand in his, his thumb rubbing circles on her skin. "Just because we can't have our own doesn't mean we can't fill our home with love and noisy kids."

Her eyes stung, and the world shimmered as her heart swelled with love for this incredible man. "You mean that?"

He slid his fingers under her chin, tipping her face toward his as he kissed her. "I love you and there's nothing I want more than to share my life with you and fill our house with love and family. It's how we raise our kids that makes us worthy of the title of mom and dad, not biology."

"Hey, less smooching around my kid." Ryder cut through the moment. "She'll be getting ideas that will never come to fruition because no man will be good enough for my princess." He chuckled as he lifted Ellie from Grace's arms.

Grace rested her head on Caleb's chest. She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. "I love you too."

Sarah arrived, placing two bottles of wine on the table before kissing Wyatt and hugging her dad. "Hope you lot haven't eaten all the burgers."

In a spotty summer dress that showcased her long legs and slim waist, Sarah looked more relaxed than usual. This side of her was usually hidden behind the tough exterior she presented as Aurora Cove's sheriff.

"Grace. I heard your good news. Congratulations." Sarah smiled, her eyes full of genuine happiness.

"Thanks, Sarah. That means a lot."

She took Grace's hand, admiring the stunning diamond ring. "That's a corker. My brother did you proud."

"He did."

Sarah's expression softened, and she pulled Grace into a fierce embrace. "Welcome to our family."

Grace hugged her back. She had found everything she had ever wanted: a loving family, a place where she belonged, and a man she loved more than anything in the world. She had faced her demons and come out the other side, and with Caleb by her side, she knew she could weather any storm.