“I’ve been reading a bit since we talked about being forgiven.”
“I really do love you,” Maryn said.
Tucker lowered his head to hers and softly kissed her. “I really do love you back.”
ChapterTwenty-Four
Mama Porter insisted on a celebration dinner that night. As they all sat around talking and eating roast beef, potatoes, carrots, and green beans, Mama interrupted the conversation, “Now, Maryn, I don’t want you to go worrying that this whole crowd is going to be living with you once you two get married.”
Maryn swallowed a bite of sweet carrots and looked at Tucker. “Of course you’ll all still live with us. We’re family.” She had to clamp down on emotion as she said that. She’d never really had family and now because of Tucker, she would.
“Of course we are, dear, but you and Tuck need to have your own place and run around naked like newlyweds do.” Her face colored. “Oh, my, can’t believe I just said that.”
Braxton laughed. “What Mama is trying to say is we’ll see you often, but we’re going to give you two some space.”
Tucker nodded thoughtfully.
“And I bought the Hotel del Sol,” Johnson interjected. “I’m going to be living there while I renovate a great house I found a mile down the beach. So you won’t have to worry about me watching you running around naked.” He winked and murmured, “Though I wouldn’t complain.”
“Oh, Johnson!” Mama Porter grabbed the dish of green beans and scooped some on her plate.
Maryn laughed. “Good. You shouldn’t see that. The Hotel del Sol is a cool hotel,” Maryn said. “We’ll come stay.”
“I’m in,” Tucker murmured close to her ear and her stomach filled up with happy butterflies.
“Maybe you should have your wedding there,” Johnson suggested, a twinkle in his eyes and his dimples deepening.
“Ooh, I like that idea. What do you think Tuck?”
“I don’t care if we get married in Vegas as long as I get to marry you.”
Maryn hugged him and laughed. “Thank you, lover, but we’re definitely not getting married in Vegas.”
“Hotel del Sol it is then. Thanks, Johnson.”
“Sure thing. I’ll have the wedding coordinator get a hold of you soon. What’s the date?”
Tucker arched an eyebrow at Maryn.
“What’s your earliest opening?” she asked Johnson, not taking her eyes off of Tucker.
Tucker grinned and kissed her. Maryn sighed against his lips as everyone else chuckled or groaned.
“I’ll have them schedule you in as soon as possible,” Johnson said, rolling his eyes and spearing some roast.
“Do you want to stay here in California or live somewhere else for a while?” Tucker asked her.
“I don’t care where we live as long as I get to be with you.”
“Oh, man, that’s cheesy,” Johnson said.
Tucker stood and took her hand. “Excuse us for a minute.” He winked at Maryn and led her out onto the back patio then around the side of the house. Maryn tingled from his touch and his look.
“Done with dinner, my love?”
“Done with being watched when all I can think about is kissing you.”
The waves broke and rolled against the sand, and the moon was reflected in the ocean. Maryn could only see Tucker lowering his head, smell Tucker’s wonderful scent, and feel him wrapping her up in his arms and kissing her until she knew being Mrs. Tucker Shaffer was going to be the best experience of her life.