Chapter 414: Speech From The Heart

He was faster than me, making it to the kitchen door before I could push it open, almost nailing me with it, though we both laughed over the incident.

Mom didn't. You'd think he'd just assaulted me with a chain saw. The gasp she let out echoed in the now quiet room, even our giggling about the near miss silenced as my mother shook her index finger at my fiancé.

"If you give her a black eye or break her nose, Crew Turner," she snapped.

He hugged me tight, kissing me before crossing the kitchen and, in an uncharacteristic show of good humor, heaved my mother off her feet and swung her around until she giggled and batted at his broad shoulders, her green eyes now sparkling with laughter instead of irritation.

"You put me down this instant." Except, when he complied, she accepted the firm and noisy kiss he placed on her cheek, hugging him again when he was done. "Silly boy," she whispered. Was she choked up again? Yes, yes she was. And she wasn't alone, nope, nope.