Edge of Danger (San Antonio Security #2)

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Let me help you with that.” Tessa handed Walker off to Brax before hurrying to help Sheila with the food she was taking from the oven.

“You’ve gone to so much trouble.” Claire marveled, looking over the spread Brax’s mother had prepared.

“It’s no trouble, fixing my boys’ favorite dishes.” Sheila beamed as she looked over the full kitchen. “Having everybody here at once is more than enough reason to celebrate. But today is important. Worthy of a feast.”

Tessa grinned over at Brax, who lifted Walker’s hand in a wave.

“That’s right, pal,” he murmured. “You and Mama are going to be together for always now.”

“It only took four weeks.” Clinton shook his head as he entered the room. “Let it never be said the wheels of justice turn quickly.”

“We know all about that,” Sheila reminded him. “Not so much the justice bit, but waiting for red tape to be cleared. We went through it four times, remember?”

Clinton slid an arm around his wife and kissed the top of her head.

Brax marveled, and not for the first time, at how lucky he’d been. He had a couple of parents who’d always been an example of a loving partnership. One based on mutual respect, friendship, and affection.

Claire paused in the middle of putting together a fruit salad. “How does it feel now that the judge has restored your parental rights?”

“Like I’ve been given the whole world.” Tessa glowed. She might as well have floated above the floor she was so overjoyed.

Brax knew how she felt. He’d felt that way once he was certain that she was safe, that there was nothing and no one who could hurt her anymore.

Knowing she had full custody again brought him deep satisfaction too. This was how it should be.

“Game’s on,” Luke announced before rummaging through the fridge for a drink.

“That’s all you have to say when we’re in here toiling away for you?” Claire clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“Hey, I never claimed to be great in the kitchen. My announcement of the game being on was my contribution. That and, well, eating.” He leaned in and kissed Claire’s cheek. She only laughed and shook her head again.

“Here, you can contribute this way.” Brax handed Walker over to his brother and did what he could not to laugh at the look of panic on Luke’s face.

He wasn’t successful. “I didn’t hand you a bomb,” he snickered. “Take it easy.”

“I have to say—” Sheila dropped a broad wink in Claire’s direction “—you look good holding a baby, son.”

Tessa met Brax’s gaze, and they both grinned. It was almost too obvious the way Sheila hinted heavily at Claire and Luke giving her grandkids.

Luke’s face went red. “Good thing there’s a baby around to hold.” Though he wasn’t fooling anybody. The way he looked at Walker, who waved his fists and babbled happily, told the real story.

Chance and Weston set the table as per their mom’s orders. Clinton pulled one casserole dish after another out of the oven while Sheila fretted over whether they had enough wine. Tessa put the finishing touches on a pan of macaroni and cheese, sprinkling buttered breadcrumbs on top. Claire and Luke fussed over Walker.

Brax had never felt happier and more at peace in his life.

Which was why what he planned to do that special day was the easiest move he’d ever considered. There wasn’t a scrap of doubt in his mind.

Tessa was his home. She was just as much his family as the rest of the people around them.

The tricky part was how to do it.

After serving themselves from the array of dishes and platters on the counter, they gathered around the table.

“It’s all delicious.” Tessa marveled. “I love to cook, but I don’t think I’ve ever cooked this much food at once. How do you manage?”

“It’s practice.” Sheila shrugged. “I had to feed four growing boys at once, not to mention a husband with a healthy appetite.”

“If you didn’t cook so well, I wouldn’t want seconds all the time,” Clinton pointed out.

“Seconds? Try thirds, Clinton Patterson.”

“Whatever magic you work, I would love to learn some of your recipes. Like this mac and cheese.” Tessa let out a soft groan as she took a bite.

“I guess if you’re going to spend time with my Brax, you’d better learn how to cook my recipes.” Sheila gave Brax a very knowing, very motherly look.

He made a mental note to ask just how she managed to read their minds the way she did. There was no keeping secrets from the woman.

Tessa fed Walker mashed bananas, which was a fairly new development and needed her complete attention or else everything in a three-foot radius would end up covered in Walker’s snack.

It was now or never, he realized. This was the moment. With his family together, laughing, happy. With Tessa secure, knowing no one could take her son away. With everyone who had tried to hurt the ones he loved behind bars, Brax’s life had never been more perfect.

Which was why he slid the box from his pocket while Tessa’s back was turned. He opened it then placed it on the table where she couldn’t help but see it when she turned away from Walker.

Claire clamped a hand over her mouth.

Sheila held her hands up, signaling for silence. She didn’t need to, since everyone went quiet once they realized what was going on.

Finally, Tessa noticed. “Is everything okay?” she asked in a panicked tone.

Then she saw the box and the ring inside.

“Oh, my goodness.” She looked at Brax. “What is this?”

“What do you think it is?” he asked, more nervous than he’d ever been in his entire life. Why was he shaking?

“Brax...oh, my goodness.” She crossed her hands over her chest as tears started to flow.

“You know by now that I love you,” he murmured, “and that you and Walker are my world. I want us to be a real family. I want you to be my wife. I want Walker to be my son. You’d make me the happiest man who ever drew breath if you would agree to marry me.”

“Agree?” She burst out laughing. “Like there was any doubt?”

“That’s a yes?” he asked, still tentative.

“Of course, it is!” She nearly knocked him off his chair when she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed until he could hardly breathe.

But that was just fine. He could take it.

“Oh, it’s about time!” Sheila crowed, laughing and crying and clapping.

“About time?” Chance laughed. “It hasn’t been all that long that they’ve been together.”

“Sweetheart, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this—when you know, you know. And I knew the minute that woman stepped foot in this house that she was right for my Brax.”

“See?” Brax whispered in Tessa’s ear. “Mom knew. I guess that means we’re both on the right track. She’s never wrong.”

Tessa loosened her grip on him enough to pull back with an ear-to-ear smile. “Then I guess she has more to teach me than recipes.”

“Nah. You’re pretty perfect just the way you are.” He pulled the ring from the box and slid it over her finger. Everyone in the room broke out in cheers and applause.

Even Walker raised his tiny fists and shouted.

Brax and Tessa leaned against each other and laughed. “He approves,” Tessa noted. “We’re definitely on the right track.”