Luke

I was at Lyla’s door at six in the morning, knocking on the door. Lyla answered, slightly annoyed, and gave me a look of disapproval.

“It’s our day off,” she growled.

“I know. I have a surprise for Candace,” I explained, giving her my sweetest pouty face.

“Give me a minute to wake her,” she hissed, shooting me a smirk as she walked away.

I heard her in Candace’s room. She was already awake, feeding the squirrel as she walked out into the living room.

“What are you doing here?” she giggled.

“I want to go see Alyssa and Liam, and they won’t let me in if you don’t come,” I teased.

Her eyes lit up, and she could barely contain her excitement. I knew she and Alyssa had been talking a lot and had become close friends.

“Yes, I’m coming. Give me twenty minutes,” she exclaimed, rushing off to her room.

“You want coffee?” Lyla asked, a sincerer smile on her face now.

I nodded, followed her to the kitchen, and sat at the table while she made a pot.

“Candace is doing really well,” she said casually.

“Yes. She’s amazing,” I gushed.

“Her place is being furnished today; does she know that?” Lyla asked.

“Nope,” I grinned.

She shook her head with a smile.

“I’ll get her stuff together so you can bring her there when you get back,” she offered.

“That would be great,” I agreed.

Candace was ready before I finished my cup of coffee, so Lyla poured it into a foam cup with a lid. She made one for Candace and sent us on our way.

“We have to make a stop at the barn,” I said quickly.

Candace looked confused. She had Sully in the seat between us, his bottles and all his bandages already packed.

“You have to pick out a kitten for Holly,” I smiled.

Her eyes widened, and she slid out of the truck before I could even get to her side. She followed me into the barn, rushing to the kittens.

“I know just the one,” she smiled, reaching down to select the fluffy white one with long hair and a black spot on its nose.

“Perfect.” I took the kitten and found a small box to place him in for the ride.

It was early afternoon by the time we arrived, and as we pulled up, I watched Candace’s face slightly pale. I feared she would start to fall apart, and that was the last thing I wanted for her. I reached across the seat, taking her hand in mine.

“If you want to leave, just tell me, and I’ll make up an emergency,” I promised.

That seemed to ease her stress. She smiled and gathered up the box with Sully, and I carried the kitten’s box.

At the door, Holly answered, her eyes lighting up when she saw me.

“Luke!” she exclaimed, jumping up into my arms and almost knocking me over.

She’d grown since I saw her last, her little girl smile turning into that of a young lady.

“Is this Candace?” she whispered in my ear, but loud enough that Candace could hear.

“It is, and she’s brought you something,” I smirked, motioning towards the box in my hand.

“What is it?” Holly screeched, her excitement spilling over.

“Let us in, and maybe, after you’re properly introduced, she’ll give it to you,” I winked.

Holly slung open the door, holding it so we could walk inside. Liam greeted us, but Holly was demanding all of the attention first.

“I’m Holly,” she said, extending her hand to Candace.

“I’m Candace; it’s nice to meet you,” she replied.

She seemed at ease and comfortable with Holly. I watched them together as Liam handed me a beer. Candace showed her the squirrel, and let Holly hold him while she took the box from my hands.

“This is for you,” Candace told her, handing her the box as Sully jumped over to Candace’s shoulder and worked his way into her long blonde hair.

Holly opened the box, her eyes filled with tears as she picked up the small white kitten. Her arms widened, and she hugged Candace so tight I feared she would break her, but Candace didn’t seem to mind. Her own eyes filling with wet tears told me she was happy to receive such a sweet embrace.

“Oh my God,” Alyssa exclaimed, rushing towards Candace.

She took her in her arms, swinging her around the room, and then pulled back with her hands on her shoulders.

“I can’t believe you’re actually here,” Alyssa exclaimed.

I reached for Candace’s hand, just to ensure she wasn’t trembling or having anxiety in any way. She felt steady and calm, and her smile was filled with joy.

Liam nodded in my direction, eyeing my hand around Candace’s. He winked, and then smiled, offering his own version of approval to my monitoring her well-being.

Alyssa was finishing up in the kitchen, and Liam elected me to run the grill while he loaded the cooler with more beer and ice. Candace was pulled into the yard with Lucky, the kitten, and Sully so they could play in the yard.

I stared at them, playing together and laughing, and wished that I could have that, that we could have that someday.

“It’s all over your face,” Alyssa pushed into me with a giggle.

“What?” I asked.

“You, wanting a family, falling so deeply in love with Candace,” Alyssa grinned.

She wasn’t wrong.

“Be careful. Just take things slow,” she warned.

I nodded. I already knew that was the plan. It wasn’t easy. But it was the plan.

“I hope you don’t mind Blake and Aiden as well,” Liam announced.

My stomach grumbled at the news. I was dying to see them, but Candace had never met them before. I smiled and prayed that she would be okay. I gave her my word I’d leave if she was uncomfortable, so she had an out.

“Is that really you?” Aiden hollered from the back door, poking his head through to get my attention.

I turned, opened my arms and greeted him with a tight embrace.

“How’s married life?” I teased.

Blake grinned.

“He can’t complain,” she grinned.

I motioned for Candace to come over when she finally looked up. She appeared nervous, a little uneasy, but she smiled sweetly as I introduced her to Blake and Aiden.

Blake immediately joined in playing with the squirrel and the new kitten, and Alyssa brought out glasses of wine for the women. They tore off into their own circle, laughing, and occasionally looking over at us guys.

“She’s doing great,” Liam noted, motioning towards Candace.

“She really is,” I agreed.

“I wasn’t expecting someone so outgoing, so friendly,” Aiden said softly.

“She wasn’t always,” I admitted.

“Whatever you two are doing, keep doing it; it’s working,” Liam nudged me in the ribs playfully.

I finished grilling the meat, and brought it to the table, offering a smile to Candace just to check up on her. She smiled back, her eyes dancing with happiness, and I knew I was worried about nothing.

The day was perfect. We talked about the fake wedding that turned real, about how we’ve all stuck together through it all. Candace soaked it all in, listening, smiling, and squeezing my hand.

When it was time to go, she took an extra-long time saying goodbye to Holly.

“She’s a natural mother,” Alyssa leaned in and whispered in my ear.

I grinned. That was music to my ears.

“We got to go,” I called out to Candace, shocked that I had to pull her away.

Blake gave Candace her number and told her to call her anytime. They all promised to come and visit soon, and Alyssa and Candace hugged for what felt like an eternity.

“It’s so amazing what you guys have,” Candace said as we pulled away.

“We’re family,” I beamed.

“That’s really nice,” she sighed.

“They could be your family, too,” I reached across the seat and squeezed her hand.

She squeezed back but didn’t speak. I turned on the radio, and we rode back to the ranch in satisfied silence.