A thing? Patton grinned. He preferred the term couple. Or she was his. But she wasn’t, not officially, not yet. He sure as hell hoped she’d be agreeable to the idea.
“I never thought I’d see you grinning like a teenager,” Spence teased.
Patton glanced at his brother. “Jealous?”
“Maybe,” Spence said. “Starting to feel like the odd man out. First Zach and Bianca, now you and Cady. Not that I’m in a hurry to humiliate myself by drooling in public—like you.”
Patton ignored his brother, his attention returning to Cady. She was left-handed, one of the many things he didn’t know about her. He used to think of that as a bad thing. Now he knew it meant he had a lot to look forward to. He wouldn’t learn everything overnight—it would take years. He hoped it would. He looked forward to each and every one of them.
He slid his hand into his pocket, rubbing the ring inside. As far as rings went, it wasn’t too over-the-top. A sizable square-cut diamond solitaire. But, to him, it made a clear statement—a statement he wanted on Cady’s hand.
Eventually, the presents turned into cards. He’d put his on the bottom of the stack on purpose. Patton knew it the moment Bianca opened it.
“Patton?” Bianca looked at him. “Cady?” Her eyes filled with tears. “You...you shouldn’t have.”
Bianca launched herself at Cady, wrapping her arms around Cady and sobbing against her neck. Bianca stood and ran across the room, hugging him and kissing his cheek.
He hugged her back, trying to stay unaffected by her outburst. “Cady said the dress was perfect so...it’s yours.”
“You have a big heart...” Bianca looked back at Cady. “Both of you.”
He looked at Cady, too, but she was staring at the card.
“What did Patton do now?” Zach asked.
Bianca explained, her voice shaking with excitement. “He and Cady bought my wedding dress... My dream dress. The one in the shop that I couldn’t really afford.”
Patton preferred to stay in the background, but it seemed as if everyone felt the need to hug him, shake his hand or tell him how generous and thoughtful he and Cady were. He remained civil—he hoped.
“Time for cake,” Celeste announced, pulling the attention away from him and back to the happy couple. He drew in a deep breath, his gaze sweeping the room for Cady—
“Did you forget to tell me something?” Cady asked, at his side—staring up at him with warm brown eyes.
He stared right back. “We bought Bianca her dress—”
Then she was kissing him, on the lips, in the middle of the room—surrounded by everyone. His arms wrapped around her without thought. She was where she belonged, and he was fine with everyone knowing it.
He lifted his head, smiling down at her. She looked so beautiful...he couldn’t wait. He took her hand in his and pulled her from the room and out of the inn. He didn’t stop until they were alone. It was a beautiful spring day, a cool breeze blowing a large wicker swing on the inn’s wraparound porch. But all he could see was Cady.
He kissed her then, softly, his eyes searching hers.
“Patton,” she said softly. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I have a few ideas,” he answered, pressing another kiss to her lips. His nerves were shot, but he knew what he had to do.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Me?” she asked, a small smile on her face.
“I wanted Bianca to have the dress she wanted, don’t get me wrong. But I knew it would make you happy, too.” His confession spilled out, leaving his chest heavy...full. “I want to make you happy, Cady.”
“You want to make me happy?” she whispered.
He nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. “You make me happy.”
“I do?” Her voice faltered.