Holding You Close (Ex-Con Duet Series #4) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,70

getting started.” I give her a wink. “Remember when we came here as teenagers?”

She sweetly nods. “I do. I remember actually finding the courage to hold your hand on this very ride.”

“You remembered?” I ask with raised brows. Of course she did.

She smirks. “How could I ever forget? I was nearly shitting bricks that I had made a move even though it was a childish one.” Her tone drops into a whisper, and she tugs me toward her, and I lean in. “Shoulda sat on your lap and stuck my tongue down your throat.”

I smirk. “Woman. You know what happens when you say stuff like that…”

She snickers just as the ride comes to a stop at the entrance of the pumpkin patch.

“Let’s get off here,” I suggest, and she agrees.

We step off, and she stares at the thousands of pumpkins in all different colors and shapes. People are taking pictures with them while others are decorating or carving.

“I think I need to go to the bathroom,” I tell her, grinning.

She laughs. “There’s one out here?”

“Yeah, just on the other side. Might take me about ten minutes,” I say and lead her to some hay bales arranged as seating. “Might be good for you to rest a minute. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay! Bring me back a candied apple, a slice of pumpkin pie, and another one of those fizzy drinks.” Katie gives me a wink.

With a laugh, I shake my head. “Yes, honey.”

I make my way through the crowd of people, and it takes at least ten minutes for me to get to the area where I’ve asked all of our friends and family to meet. When I turn the corner, they’re chatting and laughing. Excitement fills the air.

Gemma, Tyler, and Everleigh hoot and holler as soon as I come into view. Gemma’s rocking the stroller back and forth, and I love that she brought Scarlett too.

Dad gives me a big hug. “You ready, son?”

“As ever,” I say, meeting everyone’s eyes. I’m so thankful Katie’s parents, Belinda, Elliot, Loretta, the boys, and my and Katie’s best friends are here to celebrate this special moment.

After everyone takes a step closer, I suck in a deep breath. “Do y’all have your letters?”

I glance around, and they nod, holding their silver envelopes.

“You do know this is gonna make her bawl like a baby?” Everleigh says, tapping hers against her palm.

“You weren’t supposed to read it, Ev,” Gemma whisper-hisses over the stroller.

She snorts. “I literally just peeked a little. I needed to know what she was gonna be reading so I’d be aware of how to react.”

Gemma groans and crosses her arms over her chest, eyeing Everleigh. “I passed them all out and instructed them not to read them. Some people just don’t know how to listen.”

“It’s fine. If anyone was gonna break the rules, it would be her.” I look at her and smile.

“That’s very true,” Everleigh admits. “It’s almost like you know me better than your sister.”

Before Gemma digs in, I speak up. “Okay, so y’all know the order, right?”

Gemma steps forward. “Yes, I’ll get Katie, hand her the letter, then bring her to Tyler. Then it goes Tyler, Everleigh, so on and so on. I’ve got this, bro. Have faith in me. I did just plan a pretty incredible grand opening and deliver a baby. I’m a pro at this point,” she tells me with a lifted brow and a smirk.

“You’re right.” I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. “Just a little nervous. That’s it.”

Loretta speaks up. “She’s gonna say yes. This is your destiny.”

“She better!” Owen pipes up, and it makes Anthony giggle.

Everleigh snorts and squeezes his shoulder. “She will. There’s no doubt about it.”

I suck in a deep breath, trying to calm down, then feel inside my jacket pocket for the box. It’s almost time, and I know Katie’s probably growing impatient that I haven’t returned with her snacks yet. The thought has me chuckling to myself.

Katie’s parents give me hugs, and I can tell how overjoyed they are. I asked them a month ago after I asked Owen’s permission. They were more than thrilled that I wanted to make things official with their daughter. They’ve always treated me like a son and respected me even after everything that happened.

“Excited to have you officially be a part of the family,” Katie’s mama tells me.

“I promise to always protect her and love her,” I say.

“We believe you,” her dad tells me.

“It’s almost time, y’all. I need you to start lining