on the top bunk giggling. Wyatt and Ford laughed as they gathered the tools they'd used to set it up and watched Aidyn enjoying his new room.
Gaige, Sophie and Tate were in the spare bedroom setting up the bed in there, little Tate in a swing watching his Momma and Daddy work.
Lincoln, Skye, Megan and Shelby were in the kitchen moving boxes and unpacking and Bridget was trying to direct as much traffic as she could. Falcon Montgomery then walked in with another box and Bridget smiled. “That goes in the bedroom.”
Falcon nodded and walked to the back of the house.
They'd found this great little house not far from Lynyrd Station on the Hill where Ford, Lincoln, Dodge and families all lived, and they jumped at the opportunity. They had loads of work to do on it, including a large addition, but it had come together beautifully. Bridget's mom had opted for a nice condo in town, not too far away, so Aidyn still had grandma close by. She’d also be babysitting again once Bridget had a new range set up.
The day flew by and between Pilar and Vivian the grandmas were kept very busy with five little ones running around. Axel grilled large steaks for everyone and much to Bridget's disgust, hot dogs for the littles as that's what they begged for. They found a spot to sit wherever they could. The kitchen and living room were open to each other so they could talk between the rooms.
Bridget sat on the fireplace hearth, which had been her dream item in the house. A gorgeous, stacked stone fireplace with a raised hearth so she could warm up on cool nights. Balancing her plate on her legs, she finished as much of her steak as she could. Taking a drink from her wine glass, Axel came and removed her plate from her legs and took it into the kitchen. He walked back into the living room and stood next to where she sat. Resting his hand on her shoulder, he said, "I'd like to make a toast."
She looked up at him and smiled.
"Thank you my friends, for all of your support, assistance and guidance as we closed out things in Steuben, bought this house and remodeled it and as we healed our family. We couldn't have done it without any of you and that is no lie."
They each drank to the toast. Axel dropped down beside her, tapped his glass to hers and said, "There's only one more thing that can make this complete." He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. "Bridget Barnes, will you become my wife? Will you marry me?"
Her eyes rounded; her jaw dropped. She was not expecting this. Her hands framed his face as she looked into his eyes. "Axel." She whispered because she had trouble getting the words out. She swallowed, "Axel. Yes. Yes."
He kissed her lips, then stood bringing her up with him. He slid the ring on her finger and turned to their friends.
"She said yes!"
They cheered and everyone tapped their glasses and snapped pictures as they celebrated the newly engaged couple of the day.
Gaige's phone rang and he stepped into the office around the corner.
When he came back out, he looked at Hawk and Falcon. "Josh needs some assistance in Texas, there's a situation."
***
You are cordially invited to attend Axel Dunbar and Bridget Barnes’ wedding. To download your copy of Axel’s Dream, click here - https://dl.bookfunnel.com/14qybyctpz
***
Keep Reading for a Sneak Peek at Defending Isabella
Straightening the bright green table cloth on one of the forty tables in the enormous backyard of her family's home, Isabella turns at the sound of a large vehicle rolling down the drive way.
Seeing a bus, which upon closer inspection, is the same bus her brother, Eric, left on last night for his bachelor party, pull down the driveway, her stomach twists. This is not good. He should have been home hours ago.
Emiliana, Isabella's sister walked to Isabella's side.
"This is not good Isi.”
"I was just thinking the same thing. Where is momma?"
Both sisters turn toward the back doors perched atop a palatial stone patio to see their mother, Bianco, step out on the patio. The worry marring her beautiful face confirmed their suspicions.
The door to the bus opened and out stepped a group of men, most of them wobbling on their feet, with silly grins on their faces and their clothing in varying degrees of disarray.
Finally, after several unknown men stepped off the bus, a tall,