Part 46 (1/2)
As everyone suited up and rushed out the door, Kate went up on tiptoes to kiss Reid. ”Thank you.”
”I thought it would be fun.”
”Hey, Dad,” Ashton said. ”Can I reserve one of the sleighs after everyone else has had a ride?”
”Sure. We have them until midnight.”
”Great, thanks.”
”Any specific reason?” Reid asked his son in a teasing tone.
”None of your business,” Ashton said with a good-natured smile. ”Kate, could I borrow you for just a minute?”
”Um, sure.”
”Don't keep her too long, son.”
”I won't.”
Kate followed Ashton into the kitchen, wondering what he might have to say to her. They'd gone out of their way to be polite to each other in the weeks since she and Reid had been home, but they hadn't spoken one-on-one.
”I wanted you to know that I'm going to ask Jill to marry me tonight.”
”Oh! That's amazing! Do you think she knows?”
”No, I'm quite certain it'll be a total surprise to her.”
”Wow, I'd love to see that. It's really hard to surprise her. She's always one step ahead of everyone.”
”Don't I know it. The thing is... I can almost guess exactly what she's going to say when I ask. That we can't upstage you when you're getting married tomorrow.”
”Oh please! Tell her there's no one in the world I'd rather share the stage with than her. She knows that.”
”I had a feeling you might say that. I'll tell her.”
”Good luck. For what it's worth, I hope she says yes.”
”You do? Really?”
”Yes, really,” Kate said with a laugh. ”She lights up when you're around. I've never seen her look at any guy the way she looks at you.”
”That's good to hear. I'm a little nervous that she might say no.”
Kate took pity on him and squeezed his arm. ”She won't.”
”Um, listen, Kate... I told Jill this, but I should tell you, too. I'm sorry about what happened way back when. I have a lot of regrets about that time, what I said to you that day in the parking lot and the role I played in breaking up you and my dad. He's so happy since you guys have been back together. Seeing him happy makes me happy, too. I wanted you to know that.”
”And I'd like you to know that other than the b.u.mps at the end of our friends.h.i.+p, I always thought you were a great guy and a good friend. I'm thrilled that you might also be my brother-in-law.”
”Sounds a lot better than stepson, huh?”
Kate tossed her head back and laughed, and then she hugged him. ”Much, much better. Thank you for apologizing. I'm so sorry we lied to you. That never should've happened either.”
”It's all in the past now. Let's leave it there.”
”Deal.”
”Can I ask you something else?”
”Sure.”
”I sort of thought my dad might ask me to stand up for him tomorrow, but he didn't.”
”You've been pretty cool about us being back together. He didn't want to push his luck with you.”
”Huh,” Ashton said, rubbing at the stubble on his jaw. ”I didn't think of it that way.”
”You were his first choice, though. You have to know that.”
”He should really have his first choice on such an important occasion, don't you think?”
Kate smiled at him. ”I couldn't agree more.”
”I'll take care of it.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek. ”Enjoy every minute tomorrow. You're getting the very best man I've ever known.”
Touched, Kate said, ”Thank you.”
They returned to the living room, and Ashton joined Jill on the sofa.
”So he told you his big news?” Reid asked.
Kate looked up at him. ”How long have you known?”
”A couple of days. He asked me not to tell anyone, but I was dying to tell you. I'm glad he did.”
”It was nice just now with him. Felt like old times. I love them together.
”So do I.” Reid glanced at his son and Jill, their heads bent close as they whispered to each other. ”He hasn't left her side all weekend.”
”Except to sleep. Maggie told me he hasn't been staying at Jill's while she's been there.”
”No, he wouldn't. That doesn't surprise me.”
”You Matthews men are extremely old-fas.h.i.+oned in your beliefs.”
”Did you just call me old, darlin'? The night before our wedding?”
”I don't know what you're talking about.”