Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“I’m not lying. I’m quite certain he ate your sausage this morning,” Mitch chuckled and dropped down in his spot on the couch.
“Really? You’re gonna do that here?” Colt huffed, his face turning red as he looked back at Mitch. His brothers actually laughed hard at that. His sisters and sisters-in-law clearly didn’t get the joke by the looks on their face. He knew better than to look over at his dad.
“We’ve got the Skype call, Mitch. Do I just answer it?” his mom asked from her place on the couch across the room.
“Yes, ma’am.” This time the freshly inked skin resisted the movement and prickled as he stood.
“Where’re you going?” Cody asked.
“Hang on, babe.” Mitch went to his laptop and connected the few steps that Aaron had arranged for him until he was able to use the remote control to click on the big screen TV. Cody’s entire family popped up on the screen. They had a huge family between the two of them.
Mitch watched as Kylie sat up front on her grandfather’s lap, her eyes scanning for Cody. He knew the moment she saw him because she lifted her new Princess Barbie, the one they had given her, with a giant smile on her face. Mitch found he wanted that same kind of relationship with the little mini-me nephew he’d bonded with since he’d been home.
“Knox family meet the Turner family.” Mitch waved his hands around. His dad knew them and stepped in to make introductions as he went for Cody who looked completely confused. Of course, Cody still wouldn’t get what was going on, which was for the best. He liked shock and awe. He extended a hand and pulled Cody up, purposefully stepping on Colt in the process. “Oops…my bad.”
He tugged Cody across the room, knocking wrapping paper out of the way as he went. Once he got to the center, the chatter came to an end as he turned and smiled. Cody’s red face said it all, and god, he loved that blush on his lover’s cheeks. His guy wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention ever and certainly not in Mitch’s family’s home. He stared at Cody, lost in his eyes. Suddenly his mouth was dry and his heart hammered in his chest. This was it, he’d been so excited and sure of himself, but now, the thought of forever with Cody humbled him. He wanted to make Cody the happiest man on earth.
“I’ve brought us all together today to share in this moment. I already asked your dad, he gave his half-assed approval,” Mitch teased as Cody’s dad started to chuckle. Neither would ever say how worried Mr. Turner was by what Mitch was doing. Mitch understood Cody’s father’s concern was well-founded simply because all of the ignorance surrounding gay marriage, especially in the South. But Mitch loved Cody, and this was the man he wanted to spend his forever with.
“Cody, this may seem a little rushed. I just didn’t know when everyone would be together again, and my feelings aren’t going to change no matter how much time passes. Since I first laid eyes on you, I knew I had to have you. That feeling has only grown stronger as I’ve gotten to know you. I love you and I know without a doubt you’re the only man for me.”
Mitch fished around in his pocket until he found what he was looking for.
“You’re supposed to have that ready,” Matt called out from across the room and was immediately shushed by all the females. He lowered to one knee and looked up at Cody who stared down at him with the most intense look he’d ever seen. Mitch got it, his heart pounded wildly in his chest, pumping the blood through his veins so loudly he swore he heard the roaring in his ears. He opened the box and lifted the ring, holding Cody’s gaze with his.
“Cody Turner, will you do me the honor of marrying me? Please. Make an honest man out of me.” Cody stood silently. He’d spent the better part of the last few months with the man. Cody was proud and strong, but he worried over their lifestyle like his father, even if he never said it out loud. He waited on baited breath for Cody’s answer. Cody’s brilliant blue eyes never strayed from his. His cowboy loved him, no question there; he saw the love reflected in their depths.
Silence filled the room, but Mitch wouldn’t have heard anything anyway. His heart, mind, and soul were connected only to this man who always took his time to respond to life-changing events. So he continued giving Cody enough room to grasp the importance of the moment.
Mitch always pushed, Cody took things slower. They balanced each other.
After what felt like fifteen minutes, Cody finally nodded. That was all anyone needed. Cheers erupted from both living rooms. Mitch stood and pulled Cody to him, no resistance to this PDA in front of their families.
“Thank you! I love you,” Mitch proclaimed loudly.
“I love you,” Cody said, burying his face in the crook of Mitch’s shoulder. Mitch could feel Cody’s heart hammering in his chest. Cody lifted his face to kiss Mitch’s neck before he whispered in his ear, “You completely surprised me.”
“I wanted to,” Mitch whispered quietly. He closed his eyes and pulled Cody against him even tighter if that were possible. “I love you so much, Cody Turner.”
~~~
Four hours later
Aaron Stuart sat at one of his computer screens in his downtown studio apartment. He’d dodged the Christmas Eve festivities with the fam, feigning illness, since he really couldn’t stand his new sister-in-law. Crazy gold-digger was only after his brother’s money, and she’d scored big this time around. She was on her fourth marriage and this time got pregnant to secure her spot on his brother’s bank account. Interesting the things he could find out about people online.
His idiot brother was too in love to believe his findings, so he deserved what he got in the end.