The woman standing before me was beyond amazing. In the short amount of time I had known her, she had changed me. Kate was strong, yet admitted her weaknesses. She was caring, yet no one pushed her around. She wasn’t afraid to take a chance, but always proceeded with caution. Come Saturday, I would become her daughter-in-law, and she would become the mother I had longed for.
Nodding my head, I smiled at Kate. “Thank you, Kate. Thank you for being the mother-figure I hadn’t realized I had longed for all these years. I’m honored to be your future daughter-in-law.”
Pressing her lips together in an attempt not to cry, Kate looked away for a moment before turning back to me. “Oh, Sierra, my darling girl.” Kate’s voice faltered as she blinked her eyes rapidly, causing me to do the same. “I’m the one who is honored to be gaining another daughter. Aaron has no idea how lucky he is.”
Trying to find my voice, I wiped a tear from my cheek. “Oh, Kate, I’m the one who is lucky. Besides my father, I’ve never had anyone love me like your son. My life without him would be nothing.”
Glancing up, I saw Aaron and Brice walking out. Aaron’s eyes caught mine and his smile instantly calmed my crazy heartbeat. Shaking his father’s hand, Aaron made his way over to me. Kissing his mother on the cheek, he turned to me. “They just need a statement and then we are good to go.” Looking at his mother, who was now leaning into Brice as he wrapped his arms around her, Aaron said, “Mom, is it okay if we push dinner off and do breakfast tomorrow?”
Waving her hand, Kate said, “We are good to go. Everything is set and ready to go for Saturday. I want you and Sierra to just spend some time together. Don’t worry about a thing.”
My heart felt as if it was going to explode, I was so blessed with Kate and Brice. I couldn’t even imagine Aaron and his father being at odds with as close as they had become the last few months.
“Kate, are you sure?” I asked. “I don’t want to stick you with everything."
Giving me a big grin Kate said, “Oh please, I’m loving this. Now, Aaron, you take Sierra, and Brice will make sure everything here at the house is secure.”
Turning to leave with Brice, I remembered Kacey. “Kacey! She’s coming to get the furniture.”
Aaron wrapped his arm around my waist and led me to his truck. “I already took care of it. They’re coming tomorrow morning. Em and her boyfriend, Zach, are going to meet them here.”
Feeling utterly exhausted all of a sudden, I stepped into Aaron’s truck. Turning to him, I asked, “Can we just go home? I want to forget this day ever happened, and the only way I can is to be snuggled on the sofa and in your arms.”
Something in Aaron’s eyes changed as he looked at me. I’d never seen him look so happy and yet so sad. Lifting his hand up, he placed it on the side of my face and it felt as if my whole body warmed with that one touch. “I think that sounds like the perfect way to spend the rest of the day.”
Pulling my head back, I narrowed my eyes at him. “Um . . . yeah no. We snuggle for a bit and then you’re taking me out to dinner and then somewhere for an adventure. I want to end this day together . . . laughing and being . . . us.”
Aaron’s face lit up. “Holy shit! I have the perfect place!” Kissing me quickly on my lips, Aaron shut his door, fist pumped and then dialed someone on his cell phone as he slowly walked around the front of his truck. Looking back at me, he started laughing.
Shaking my head, I whispered, “Oh, holy hell. What does he have planned?”
THE MOMENT SIERRA MENTIONED SHE wanted to go on an adventure, I knew exactly what we were going to do. Quickly calling Em, I told her to meet me at iFly at seven. I thought Em was going to come through the phone and kiss me she was so excited.
Jumping back into the truck, I gave Sierra a wink as she eyed me suspiciously. “You have that look in your eyes.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I asked, “What look?”
Pulling out of the driveway, I headed back to my house as I reached over and took Sierra’s hand in mine. “That look, Aaron. Like you’re planning something I’m either going to love . . . or hate . . . or possibly both.”
Laughing, I shook my head and said, “I don’t know what you mean. I’m planning a simple night out with Em and Zach. Spending some time with my two favorite girls.”
“Uh-huh. Am I at any point this evening going to utter the words, dickhead, bastard or you son-of-a-bitch?”
Damn, Sierra, knew me so well. Taking a peek over at her, I chuckled and looked straight ahead.