The By Request Collection. Kate HardyЧитать онлайн книгу.

       Epilogue

      Christmas morning on Look Away was usually a chaotic affair of eating, joking, opening gifts and spreading the love, and today was no different, except that the family had expanded to include the Winchesters. Ruby had coordinated with the household staff to make sure they were as comfortable as possible.

      Sutton Winchester had his own set of nurses, and the older man who’d played a role in Brooks’s, Graham’s and particularly Carson’s lives was holding his own this morning. His wheelchair was right next to the warm flames of the fireplace, and he seemed to be in good spirits. Occasionally Ruby would see him smile at his daughters, Nora, Grace and Eve. For a powerful man who wasn’t long for this earth, his eyes still held a bit of mischief, and though he spoke seldom, what did come out of his mouth was witty and charming.

      Ruby knew the history he had with Brooks’s mother. Last night, while in bed with her new fiancé and father of her unborn child, Brooks had recounted to her all he’d known of their relationship. Sutton was Carson’s father, and it was sad that Carson had come to know him only in the last months of his life.

      “Gather around the tree, everyone,” Beau said after they’d eaten a Christmas morning meal that would probably stay with them throughout the entire day. Except for her. She was still ravenous. And now Brooks was watching her like a hawk, eyeing her with love in his eyes, but also concern over every little move she made. It was sweet, for now, as they were both getting used to the idea of her pregnancy and overjoyed at the little one who’d be making an appearance in eight months.

      Married now, Nora and Reid Chamberlain took their places along with newly engaged Grace and Roman Slater. Carson stood with his fiancée, Georgia, next to Sutton’s wheelchair, and his allegiance to his ailing father was inspiring. Toby, Malcolm and Clay were to Beau’s right, and next to him on the other side were Graham and Eve.

      Brooks grabbed Ruby’s hand and angled them beside Graham.

      “Want to sit down?” he asked her.

      “No, I’m fine,” she told him quietly. Ruby’s heart was thumping wildly in her chest. No one knew their news yet, and she was enjoying this special secretive time with her new fiancé, but a part of her just wanted to scream it from the rooftops. The ring, which she’d hated taking off, was in Brooks’s pocket.

      Lupe came around with a tray of mimosas and sparkling cider. Brooks snapped up two ciders and handed Ruby one, giving her a quick, adorable smile.

      “Thank you all for making the trip to Look Away for the holiday,” Beau began, holding up his glass. “I’m not one for making speeches, but it seems lately there’s a need. So I’ll make this toast short. The past has been hard on many of us. But looking around this room, I have renewed faith in the future. I see love here in many forms, and it’s heartwarming.”

      Beau’s gaze found hers, and his smile made Ruby blush down to her toes.

      “I, for one, am grateful that Graham and Brooks are here with me this holiday. They have met their three half brothers and our Ruby, and it’s been all that I had hoped. And I’m so happy having Carson here, along with all you wonderful Winchester girls and your father. It’s all a blessing.

      “I cannot hold a grudge about the past. It serves no purpose and so, with that in mind, I hope that this coming together of the Prestons, Newports and Winchesters brings with it peace to all families. Let’s set aside our differences, put salve on our wounds and try to move forward. Especially at this time of year, when goodwill abounds, let’s have ourselves a very Merry Christmas.” Glasses clinked and good-natured chatter began. The families were united and, at least for this holiday, all was well.

      “Dad, if you don’t mind, I’d like to say something.” Brooks’s tone was reverent, and everyone stopped talking to listen.

      “Of course, son.”

      Brooks’s arm came around Ruby’s shoulder, tugging her in even closer, and many sets of eyes rounded in surprise. “I didn’t know what to expect when I came to Look Away. I’d been hell-bent on finding my father, as everyone here knows. And when I finally met him...well, when I met you, Beau...” Brooks said, speaking directly to his father now and choking up a bit. Ruby put her arm around his waist, supporting him. She’d always be there for him when he needed her. “When I met you, Beau, saw you for the decent, kind man you are, I was floored, inspired and thrilled to know you. To be your son. But I also felt one with this land. It was like a part of me became suddenly alive again. And I knew I belonged here. I knew that Texas and Look Away was my real home. Ruby played a role in that.”

      He spoke to her now, and she lifted her chin to look into his eyes. “Ruby and I have fallen deeply in love. With Beau’s blessing, I’ve asked her to marry me, and she said yes. We are officially engaged as of last night.” Brooks dug into his pocket and formally put the ring on her finger.

      Applause and congratulations broke out. Brooks bent his head and brought his lips to hers, giving her a taste of the passion that would always consume their lives. She had no doubt.

      “There’s one more thing,” Ruby said, raising her voice above the din. Everyone grew silent again. “It seems that Graham and Eve aren’t the only ones who will be making Beau a grandfather.”

      Gasps broke out, and Ruby thought she heard Eve chant, “All right!”

      “Brooks and I are going to have a baby.”

      Tears poured down Ruby’s cheeks again. Even though she tried her best to maintain decorum, she couldn’t help it, and Brooks did his best to wipe them away.

      Beau was the first to come over, wrapping his arms around both of them and hugging tight. “Congratulations, you two. I couldn’t be happier.” His voice broke, and Ruby knew he was crying, too. “You’ve got yourself a wonderful girl, son.”

      “I couldn’t agree more,” Brooks said, brushing a kiss across her cheek.

      After everyone congratulated them and the Christmas festivities moved on, Brooks took her by the hand and led her outside to the front veranda. Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he bestowed kisses on the back of her neck as they swayed back and forth in full harmony, gazing out on the land, the pasture, the horses, all that was Look Away. “We’re going shopping tomorrow,” he announced quietly.

      “For baby things?”

      He chuckled. “First I need to put a roof over our heads, sweetheart. We’re buying our own ranch, one we can call home. And even though I’m in real estate—”

      “You’re not in real estate. You’re the king of real estate.”

      “But you’re the expert in ranching. I value your opinion in all things, but I especially defer to you when it comes to Texas and ranches.”

      “You’re letting me choose?”

      “I want you to have your heart’s desire, Ruby. The house, the ranch. I’ll build it for you if you can’t find something you absolutely love.”

      “I already have.”

      Brooks’s brows arched. “You found a place?”

      “I found something I absolutely love.”

      And then she roped her arms around his neck and kissed her handsome fiancé something fierce with all the love she had in her heart, thanking her lucky stars she’d met her very own knight in shining armor that night at the C’mon Inn.

      “You, Galahad. I found you.”

      * * * * *