Page 52 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

“And I’m still going to love you, no matter what happens this weekend.”

“That sounds very sweet and awfully familiar,” Tyler teased.

“It bears repeating.”

They shared a brief smile, and then Owen asked Tyler for a refresher about his family. The Booth clan was huge, so it took up the rest of the drive. The more Tyler talked, the more his love for his family shone through.

The Booths’ home and plant nursery were on the same property, separated by a fork in the driveway and three-board fencing wrapped in thousands of Christmas lights. It was too dark outside to see the exterior of the home, but Christmas lights outlined the perimeter to give him a scope of the size. Every interior light seemed to be on, hinting at a hive of activity inside the massive structure. Nerves got the best of Owen as Tyler took the fork toward the house. Lit trees lined both sides of the gravel lane, and he felt like they were driving through a fairyland. He looked over at Tyler and saw the magic of their surroundings reflected on his handsome face. Tyler’s happy smile temporarily stole Owen’s breath.

“If the McAllisters’ and the Griswolds’ homes had a baby, it would be this one,” Owen said once he recovered.

“Don’t be a size queen,” Tyler teased. “It’s not as grand as the McAllisters’ home or as tacky as the Griswolds’. It’s large by necessity but thoroughly loved and lived-in.”

“You’re glad to be home, aren’t you?” Owen asked.

Tyler pulled the rental car up to a garage bay and shifted it into park. He took off his seat belt and leaned over the console to kiss Owen. “Home is wherever you are, so yes, I’m always glad to be there.” He looked past Owen to his parents’ house. This close, Owen could see the exterior was stone and wood, much like Cash’s house. “Yes, this house holds happy memories for me now, which is something I never dreamed possible as a teenager who viewed these walls as jail.” His lips curved into a wry smile. “Then I got to see what jail was really like.”

“Always good to get perspective,” Owen replied. Just like seeing where Tyler could’ve chosen to live after serving his sentence gave Owen a newfound confidence. He could’ve returned to this gorgeous home, but he’d followed Owen to the ranch. He was Tyler’s choice—then and now. He reached for the door handle and said, “Ready?”

Tyler cycled through a deep breath, then nodded. “Let’s do it.”

They retrieved their luggage and gifts from the trunk. Unlike their Trinidad trip, they packed their clothes into separate bags since Tyler was unsure of their sleeping arrangements. Owen had to remind himself not to reach for Tyler’s hand as they walked up the sidewalk toward the front porch. Tyler stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked at Owen. The colorful Christmas lights twinkled in his espresso eyes and lit up his handsome face.

“No matter what happens, I’m choosing you.” Tyler leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his lips before jogging up the steps.

Owen remained on the bottom step, staring up at him. There’d been a unique quality in Tyler’s voice and his kiss. Notes of confidence and determination Owen found extremely sexy. He turned and quirked a brow at Owen in silent question. Was he ready? Owen took a deep breath, nodded, and climbed the steps. Tyler winked, opened the door, and stepped inside the house. Two little girls and a smaller boy streaked past them in the foyer. The trio was bickering about something and paid no attention to Owen and Tyler.

“Stop running in the house,” a woman hollered from somewhere to the left.

“Or you won’t get dessert,” a man added.

The girls slowed down and stuck their tongues out at the boy.

“I’m telling,” he called out.

Owen took in the chaos with the kids, then noticed the grand staircase leading up to the second story. “We’ve landed in Home Alone.”

Tyler smiled and set down his luggage. “Don’t worry. No one will stick you in an attic bedroom with someone who will wet the bed.” He cocked his head to the left and said, “This way.”

Owen set his bag beside Tyler’s and followed him into a large living room. There were multiple sofas and love seat pairings to accommodate the large Booth family and their guests. Tyler’s five siblings were all married, so that number doubled. Owen couldn’t remember how many nieces and nephews Tyler had, but the packed room turned their full attention to them when they walked in.

“Tyler!” Wendy Booth leaped to her feet and ran into her son’s open arms.

“Hi, Mama,” he said softly.

David Booth, an older version of Tyler, followed at a more leisurely pace but wore a warm smile and doting expression in his eyes. Since Wendy didn’t look like she planned to release Tyler anytime soon, David extended his hand to Owen and introduced himself. The man’s grip was firm but not intimidating.

“It’s nice to meet you finally, sir,” Owen replied.

“None of that ‘sir’ business. Call me David.”

“Okay, David.”

Wendy eased back from Tyler but kept her hands on his shoulders as if he might dart off at any moment.

“Told you Tyler was her favorite,” a younger version of Wendy said from the family room. She stuck out her tongue at Tyler just like the little girls did in the foyer.

“Mom, Sarah stuck her tongue out at me,” Tyler whined.