Maggie looked from the small box up to meet his gaze when he stopped talking.
“So if maybe you have the same feelings I do, hope for the same future I do, maybe you’d wear this promise ring, and when we’re ready, we’ll replace it with an engagement ring and then a wedding band.”
Maggie reached for the box and popped open the top. “Oh my gosh! It’s so pretty,” she said, taking the delicate ring out of the velvet slot it was nestled in.
“Of course I’ll wear it. It’s beautiful, so delicate!” she said. “And I feel exactly the same. I can’t stop smiling since you came into my life. I think about you all the time, and I can’t imagine being with anybody but you.”
Jobe took the ring from her and held it poised to slip on her left ring finger. “I thought when the time comes, we’d pick out a single solitaire diamond and have it set right here in the middle of the bow, if you like the ring, that is.”
“I love the ring, and that sounds perfect. That way I’ll still get to wear it.”
Jobe smiled at her. “I’m not a college educated man, and I’ll probably never be rich. But, I’m a good worker and I’m smart. I just want to save up enough money to be able to take care of you proper — get you a house wherever you’d like it. Make sure you’re okay with my family before we go so far as an official engagement.”
“Jobe, your family loves you, and they’ve been so good to you, why wouldn’t I be okay with them. I just hope they’re okay with me,” Maggie said.
Jobe smiled while he slid the ring on her finger. “They’re a little bit different. Good different, but different. And just like when I told your daddy that I wanted to give you my promise — I said that I’d never do it without his blessing because I wouldn’t disrespect you or him by going against his wishes, it’s the same with my family. I know they’ll love you, and over time you’ll get to know them, and I hope you’ll love them, too, because I could never choose.”
“You won’t have to,” Maggie said, smiling down at the little yellow gold bow sparkling with accent diamonds around the loops of the bow on her left ring finger. “It’s perfect, Jobe.”
“It made me think of you, and you’ve heard that saying that people tie a bit of string into a bow around their finger to remind them of something important, well, you’re my something important,” he said, smiling at her with his heart in his eyes.
“And you’re my something important, too. I want you to understand, I’m not worried about money. As long as we have enough to feed our kids and keep a roof over our heads, I’m good. Don’t be thinking you need ‘X’ number of dollars in the bank before you’re good enough for me. You’re good enough for me now,” she said, standing up to lean over the table and offer her lips for a kiss.
Jobe quickly stood enough to reach over the table between them and accept her kiss. “I love you, Maggie Mae,” he said.
“I love you, too,” she answered.
“Here we go! Burgers, onion rings, fries, Cokes and shakes!” Eustace said loudly, walking toward them, and then unloading his tray and placing their order on their table.
“Thank you,” Maggie said, looking hungrily at all the food. “Smells so good!”
“Ketchup, mayo and steak sauce right here,” Eustace said, putting the bottles on the table. “Anything else I can get you?”
“Not right now. We’re good,” Jobe answered.
“Alrighty, then. Enjoy!” Eustace said, walking away and leaving them to their meal.
“Oh wow!” Maggie said, taking a bite of her burger. “This is amazing,” she said.
“Isn’t it though? Best burgers in the state, I have no doubt,” Jobe answered, taking a bite of an onion ring as he put extra mayo on his burger.
Epilogue
An hour and a half later Jobe drove up the gravel drive to the compound he, Kaid and all Kaid’s clan shared, and parked in his usual spot to the far right of the front porch of the main house. They could already see the orange glow of the bonfire on the other side of the house. “Well, this is home,” he said. “You ready?” he asked.
“I am,” Maggie said excitedly, checking her lipstick in the mirror one more time. “Do I look okay? No burger juice running down my face?” she asked laughing.
“You look great. Thinking maybe I should have dressed up,” Jobe answered.
“That’s okay. Next year you will,” she answered, winking at him as he got out and helped her slide across the bench seat of the truck toward him. Jobe held her hand as she stepped out, then he closed the truck door behind her. “Here we go. Just remember, anything you may see that freaks you out is just Halloween theatrics.”
“They’re big into Halloween, huh?” she asked.
“Oh yeah. You have no idea,” Jobe answered. They started toward the far side of the house, following the shrieking of children, and the sound of laughter and music playing, along with the glow of the bonfire flames against the dark night sky.
“Wow, I bet this place is beautiful in daytime with all the trees and all,” Maggie said.
“It really is. And we all live here together,” Jobe said.
“Really? The whole family?” Maggie asked.
“Yep. This house right here? The main house… Uncle Kaid lives here with his wife, Aunt Delilah and their son. My Pop, Goldy and my Mama-Sadie and myself live here, too.” He led her around the side of the house and pointed to Avaleigh and Daniel’s place on the opposite side of the clearing. “That’s where my Aunt Avaleigh and Uncle Daniel live with their kids, and that,” he said, pointing to the mobile home just as far away but situated toward the right side of the clearing, “is my Uncle Maverik and my Aunt Valerie’s place with their two kids. My Uncle Bane and Uncle Bam live that way with their families,” he said, stopping and pointing behind them. “Did you see the fork that went off to the left?”
“Yes, I did.”
“That leads to their houses.”
“Jobe!” Remi shouted from closer to the bonfire.
Jobe had a few seconds to focus on Remi as he ran toward them before it was time to catch the boy. “Hey, Remi! You get a lot of candy tonight?”
“Yep! And Mama says I’ll be up ‘til tomorrow ‘cause I ate so much! That’s cool, isn’t it?” Remi asked with a grin, as he took another bite of a chocolate bar and wriggled ‘til Jobe put him down, so he could run back toward where Avaleigh and Daniel were sitting.
“Who’s this?” Havoc asked, strolling up like he was twenty-five and six feet tall to meet them.
“This is my girlfriend, Maggie Mae,” Jobe answered, reaching out to ruffle Havoc’s hair.
“Hey! Watch the hair, dude,” Havoc complained, ducking Jobe’s hand just like Jobe knew he would.
Maggie laughed at Havoc’s reaction.
“Remi is Aunt Avaleigh and Uncle Daniel’s son. Havoc is Maverik and Valerie’s,” Jobe explained.
“Hey! How was dinner?” Vince asked, walking over still wearing his Mater costume.
“Hey, Vince,” Jobe answered. “This is Uncle Vince, he owns Vince’s Place,” Jobe explained.
Maggie smiled up at Vince. “The best burger I ever ate in my life,” she said. “I’ll be going back often.”
“Thank you,” Vince said. “I’m pleased to meet you, Maggie. That’s my wife, Natalie, and our son, Christian over there,” he said pointing.
Maggie looked over to where he indicated and waved at the pretty woman who waved in her direction while trying to rein in a little boy with a wild mane of blonde hair.
“Hey! Is that Jobe?” Maverik called out from the other side of the bonfire, knowing full well it was Jobe.
“Yep,” Havoc answered his Daddy, walking back over to his place by the fire where they were roasting marshmallows and hot dogs. “And some girl. She’s a vampire. But she’s pretty, though.”
“Well, I’m glad she meets with your approval, young man,” Valerie said. “You just wait ‘til you bring your girlfriend around. I’m going to show them pictures of your little
naked butt in the bathtub!”
Havoc stopped turning his hot dog in the fire and turned to look at his mother. “Why would she care?” he asked after thinking about it for a minute. “Everybody takes baths.”
“It’s not the bath, Havoc, it’s your butt that she’d care about.”
“Oh. I still don’t get it,” he grumbled and thrust his hot dog back into the fire. He ran around naked every time he shifted back from his Wolf and didn’t understand what the big deal was.
“You’re not supposed to let girls see your butt,” Hellen explained.
“I don’t care if they see my butt,” Havoc answered.
“You’re supposed to,” Hellen insisted.
“Jobe!” Goldy said, coming around from the other side of the fire.
“Pop!” Jobe answered, letting go of Maggie’s hand to go to the man and hug him heartily. He turned toward Maggie. “Maggie Mae, this is my Pop. You can just call him Goldy — everybody does.”
“Jobe!” Ms. Sadie said, catching up with Goldy.
“And this is my Mama-Sadie. They took me in when I had no place else to be. And now, because of them, this place is home, and all these people are my family,” Jobe said. “This is Maggie Mae. She said yes!” he said excitedly.
Kaid walked over to them. “Hey, Maggie Mae. How are you, sweetheart?” he asked.
“Hi, Mr. Kaid. Thank you so much for having me tonight. I appreciate you including me in your traditions,” she said, knowing Kaid from the work her Dad did.
“You’re always welcome here. Did I hear Jobe say you accepted his promise ring tonight?” Kaid asked.
“Yes, sir. You did,” she said, holding up her hand and displaying it proudly.
“Oh! Bling!” Everly called out.
“Where?” Delilah asked, sitting up and looking around.
“Jobe’s girlfriend!”
“We must see it,” Delilah announced.
“I want to see it!” Avaleigh said.
“You go, love. I’ll watch Remi and Angelle,” Daniel said, reaching out for Avaleigh to hand him their daughter who slept soundly swaddled in a soft blanket while wearing her pajamas underneath.
Pretty soon Jobe and Maggie were surrounded by all the women, chattering and looking at her ring.
Jobe spoke above them trying to introduce Maggie to each of them. “This is my Aunt Delilah. She’s Uncle Kaid’s wife. This is my Aunt Everly, she is Uncle Bam’s wife.”
“I’m Aunt Avaleigh, I’m Daniel’s wife,” Avaleigh said, taking over the introduction for herself.
“I’m Valerie and the little one with the Mohawk is mine, along with his twin sister. Maverik is my husband.”
“Mine is Bane, and our son and daughter are right over there,” Janie said. “I’m Aunt Janie. Welcome to the family.”
“They ain’t married yet, baby,” Maverik said, making his way through all the women. “And, just so you know, I am the most important one. I’m Uncle Maverik,” he said, smiling and winking at her.
“But if she’s wearing a promise ring, an engagement ring will be next, and they’ll get married, so she is practically family,” Valerie said.
“Yes, dear. I love you, baby,” Maverik said, winking at Valerie letting her know he enjoyed getting her riled up.
“Oh, Maverik! I’ve heard of you,” Maggie said.
Maverik smiled and puffed his chest up. “Oh, yeah? What did you hear?”
“I heard that you taught Jobe not to send your woman into a public place first, always walk in first yourself to determine if it’s safe enough for your woman.”
“Exactly!” Maverik said.
“Thank you for that. It makes perfect sense. I don’t know why more men don’t do it,” Maggie said.
“My thoughts exactly,” Maverik answered.
“And, my Daddy said you’re difficult, and ask more questions than he does and it’s his job to ask questions,” Maggie finished, smiling brightly at Maverik as he frowned.
They were quiet for a second before Maggie starting laughing. She laughed so hard she had tears running from her eyes, while everyone listening broke into laughter at Maverik’s expense as well.
Maverik started to grin, then threw his arm over her shoulders. “I like this one. She’s got a sense of humor. Come on, darlin’. Let’s get you a marshmallow. You like ‘em burned, right?”
“I do, actually,” Maggie said, looking over her shoulder to wink at Jobe as Maverik led her over toward the table they had set out with all the fixings for smores and hot dogs.
Valerie rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry,” she told Jobe. “We’ll save her,” she said as the women followed Maverik and Maggie, still chattering about her ring and how happy they were for her and Jobe.
“Told you it would be fine. She fits right in,” Goldy said, patting Jobe’s back.
“Jobe!” Barron yelled from his log perch by the fire.
“Hey, man! I thought you were Batman!” Jobe teased.
“I am. You saw me before. You want a hot dog or a marshmallow?” he asked.
“I could eat a marshmallow,” Jobe answered.
“Haaahhh!” Barron called out excitedly.
“Why’s he so happy I want a marshmallow?” Jobe asked.
“He’s taking great pleasure in sticking things in the fire,” Kaid explained, shaking his head while he watched Bane help him thread a marshmallow on a stick and then oversee him holding it out to the flames.
Jobe chuckled as he walked over toward Barron. “I want mine just a little crispy,” he said.
“Okay,” Barron said, watching it flame and turn black even while he agreed.
“That one’s well done,” Jobe said.
“Yep. I’ll have to make another one for ya,” Barron answered, blowing out the marshmallow and popping it in his mouth.
Jobe finally got his marshmallow from Barron, and turned to find Maggie Mae sitting beside Avaleigh and Daniel, holding Angelle while she chatted with them.
“Wow,” Jobe said quietly to himself.
A large hand landed on his shoulder and he turned to find Bane there. “It’s a powerful thing when you see your mate holding a tiny baby and it makes you realize, one day she’ll be holding yours,” Bane said.
“Yeah. It really is,” Jobe said.
Bam walked up to them. “Told you I thought you’d found your happy, didn’t I?” Bam said.
“You did,” Jobe answered, still watching Maggie holding Avaleigh’s daughter.
Maggie looked around and caught Jobe’s eye. She smiled at him across all the people between them and then turned her attention to the little girl who came to stand beside her.
Jobe excused himself and began to move toward Maggie, but Bane and Bam followed him. They’d not met her yet.
“Hi,” Daisy said, leaning against the chair that Maggie was sitting in.
“Hi,” Maggie answered, smiling at the pretty little girl with the dark hair and eyes.
“I’m Daisy,” she said.
“I’m happy to meet you, Daisy. I’m Maggie.”
“You’re gold. Not as gold as my Mama and my Daddy, but you’re still gold.”
“Oh. Is that a good thing?” Maggie asked.
“Yeah. Jobe is gold, too. Just the same as you. You’re supposed to get married and have babies,” Daisy explained.
Jobe stood there, his eyes wide, as did Bane, while Bam just smiled. Jobe wasn’t sure what if anything he should say. He hadn’t told Maggie anything about his family and all their uniqueness yet. But Maggie surprised them when she leaned conspiratorily toward Daisy and smiled. “You know what? I think you’re right. And I hope we have lots of babies.”
Daisy smiled up at Maggie. “You will. Would you like a caramel? I have some in my Halloween bag.”
“I would love a caramel,” Maggie answered, smiling as she watched Daisy skip away toward wherever she left her trick-or-treat bag.
“Hello,” Bane said.
Maggie turned her head toward the sou
nd of a very deep voice. “Hi,” she said, smiling at the very handsome man standing beside Jobe and yet another really big man.
“I’m Bane. Daisy is mine and Janie’s daughter. She’s rather sensitive. We think she’s got a wonderful imagination.”
“Hi, Bane. I don’t think it’s her imagination. I think she can see auras.”
“Really?” Bane said, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes. I’ve heard of people who can see the auras of others. I’ve always wished I was that gifted, but I’m just plain ole me.”
“Hey!” Daniel said from right on the other side of Avaleigh. “What is with the women around here? Like I told Delilah last time she said that, there is nothing plain about you.”
“Thank you, Daniel,” Maggie said.
“Hey, Maggie,” Bam said, leaning over and offering her his hand to shake, “My name’s Bam.”
“Hi, Bam.”
“I see auras, too. Always have, but didn’t always know what it was. I’m married to Everly,” he said.
“The one with the pretty red hair, right?” she asked.
“Yep.”
“I’m very happy to meet you,” Maggie said.
“Thanks.”
“So, do you think my aura is gold, too?” Maggie asked.
“I do. It’s not as gold as ours, because you’re only human, but it’s gold. And so is Jobe’s. Daisy’s right. Ya’ll belong together.”
“Thank you. I think so, too,” Maggie answered without missing a beat.
Bane and Jobe shared an ‘oh fuck, Bam just told everything’ glance before Barron called out breaking the moment.
“Jobe!” Barron called out again.
“What?” Jobe answered nervously.
“Want another marshmallow?” he offered.
“Do you just need an excuse to hold another stick in the fire?” Jobe called out, now silently thanking Barron for the distraction.
“Yeah,” Barron admitted grinning.
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