SWNOVELS In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes: Chapter 55
WHEN I STOPPED BY MY PARENTS’ house a few evenings later, I followed the sound of the saw to the garage. I waited until my dad finished before catching his attention.
“Hey, Holden.” He stepped back and slid his mask and safety glasses off.
“What are you working on?”
He leaned down, inspecting his cuts in the lumber. “Your mother mentioned the community center bench is looking a bit shabby so I thought I’d build another one.”
My dad was always doing stuff like that for her. Maybe that was where I learned it.
My chest squeezed with the knowledge that after wanting that for so long, wishing for someone who looked at me like Avery and Hannah looked at Emmett and Wyatt, I had it.
“I didn’t know you were dropping by.”
I raked a hand through my hair, suddenly nervous. “It was a last minute decision.”
My dad leaned on his workbench. “How’d Sadie like the treehouse bar?”
I relaxed at the mention of her name. Her expression of awe appeared in my head and I smiled at my plate. “She loved it. Thanks for all your help.”
His eyes sparkled. “Happy to. You know that.”
I nodded.
My dad threw his hands up with a laugh. “Holden, out with it. Come on, you’re making me nervous.”
“I’m here for the ring,” I said in a rush. My gaze flicked up to his to gauge his reaction.
His eyebrows went up but his smile stayed. He tilted his head. “Really?”
I nodded again. “Really.” I cleared my throat, pulse beating in my ears.
“She’s staying.” His smile widened and he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “That’s great.”
My mind wandered to all the loose ends. The inn renovation would continue until early February, and then she’d want to find a job in interior design. There weren’t many design firms on this side of the island, and I doubted she’d want to work in Victoria because it was so far.
I’d create a position at Rhodes Construction with our architects, but I knew she wouldn’t want to work for me.
We’d figure it out. We’d find a way for her to love her career and be happy here.
“And you’re going to ask her to marry you,” my dad added lightly, studying me.
“Not yet. But one day.”
Hell, I hadn’t even met her parents. She’d only been staying with me for a few weeks. Even I knew that was moving way too fast.
I pictured Sadie wearing my great-grandmother’s ring, and my chest pulled tight with pride. My Sadie.
She wasn’t ready to get married yet. I’d heard her say it a dozen times. One day, though. One day she’d be ready to take the leap.
She painted her self-portrait, and it was fucking beautiful. Better yet, I knew that was how she saw herself, strong and happy and carefree.
I knew she’d be ready one day. She was moving on from her past. She was happy here with me. She told me so, herself. I like who I am here with you.
She was so close to being ready. I was so close to having everything I ever wanted. I wanted to see and hold the ring. To keep it somewhere safe in my home until the time was right.
My dad shot me a teasing grin. “So why should I give it to you over your brothers?”
My throat worked. “Emmett and Wyatt are already married. And I doubt Finn wants it. Him and Olivia will never—”
“You don’t know that,” he cut in, arching an eyebrow. “Look at where you were a year ago.”
I sighed and stared out the garage door at the street. “I know she’d love that ring, and it feels like making her a part of our family.”
When I turned to look at him, he wore a funny expression on his face. Wistful and proud.
He nodded and stood. “I know. Alright, let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“To the bank. The ring has always been yours, Holden, if you want it. It’s in the safe at the bank.”