by Ciana Stone
"Of what?"
Jolene grinned. "You'll see."
She clipped on her microphone and smiled to herself. She could hardly wait for the opening. Weathers Construction had done a fantastic job on the building, and Cody and Hannah had turned the interior into something that was inviting and homey, but still classy.
Cody had been like a worm in hot ashes all week, so excited and nervous that she had barely slept four hours a night. Jolene wanted everything to go well with the opening and had been spending a lot of evenings there the last few weeks helping Cody and Hannah.
So had Annie. The four of them had gotten close and Jolene loved the feeling of sisterhood and friendship she had with them. It was something she wanted to hang onto. Actually, there was a lot she wanted to hang onto, and she hoped that tonight would be the start of doing just that.
*****
JD stuck out his hand for the stamp and made his way inside the bar. His brothers had done a hell of a job rebuilding Billy's. Of course, you'd never know it as the old bar. Between the construction and the specific details Hannah and Cody had demanded it gave the look of upscale yet down-home, a curious blend that was inviting and warm.
He made his way through the crowd. The place was packed, half the town must be there. A clap on his shoulder had him turning. "So whadda ya think?" Cody grinned at him.
"I think it's… spectacular."
"Damn Skippy. Your brothers did a bang-up job."
"And didn't die in the making."
She laughed. "Yeah, they probably wanted to put their heads through a wall a few times – or mine, but they put up with me and Hannah and just look at the place."
"It's great, Cody. Congratulations." JD hugged her.
"Thanks."
"So, have you seen Jo?"
"Oh, she'll be around."
"Well, I hope. She said to meet her here."
"She’ll be here. In the meantime, enjoy. Have a few beers."
Just then, JD's brother Bronson walked up. "You here alone?" JD asked.
"Yep."
"Run out of single women in the county?"
"Out of ones I'd want to spend an evening with. Wanna loan me your girl for the night?"
"Nope."
"Can't say I blame you. So, haven't seen much of you lately. What's the news? Is she going, staying? Are y'all all in or is this just a thing?"
"I guess I'm still waiting to hear on that."
Bronson looked over JD's shoulder. "Well, now, there's a new face."
JD turned and saw Wes Pursell coming in with a gorgeous redhead. "And apparently taken."
Bronson shrugged. "Shame."
"Let's grab a beer."
"Sounds like a plan." They made their way to the bar.
"Hey there." Hannah, who was behind the bar, greeted them with a smile. "So, what do you think?"
"It's really nice, Hannah. You and Cody did a great job." Bronson replied.
"You should be proud." JD added.
"We are, we really are."
"So will the Honky Tonk Angels be making an appearance on the bar tonight?" Bronson asked.
"Well, I don't know."
"Wouldn't be the same without it." JD pointed out as he looked around for Jolene.
"Well, we'll see. So what can I get you?"
"Two drafts."
"Coming right up."
JD spotted Wes Pursell and the redhead again and nodded. As his eyes scanned the crowd, he noticed Cody. She was talking with a group of people but her eyes were on Wes. He found that interesting. As he watched, Jolene came up behind Cody and Cody turned to hug her.
They chatted, smiling and looking around. It was easy to tell how excited Cody was and Jolene looked just as happy. These last five months had been some of the best of his life. His boys were as much in love with Jolene as he, and the rest of his family felt pretty much the same. She'd become like family to his father, brothers and nephews and he'd come to know her as a person.
A person he liked and admired. She was honest, kind and fun to be around. The only kink in their relationship was the rule she'd set down. Until they really knew one another, the physical side of things had to be put on hold. She wanted more than passion and she already knew they had that in spades. But to have a real relationship, one that would stand up to the test of time, they needed more.
It hadn't been easy, on either of them, but he'd grudgingly admit that it had paid off. Now he didn't just want her, didn't just think he loved her. He knew. She was the one for him and he hoped that she was feeling the same.
He also hoped she realized that soon. He didn't know how much longer he could keep his hands off her.
As he watched, she and Cody moved through the crowd. They parted ways and Cody headed for the stage where the band was already set up. Jolene looked around and spotted him at the bar. She smiled and made her way to him.
"Hey handsome." She gave him a quick kiss.
"Hey yourself."
"Isn't this great?"
"Yeah."
"Can I have your attention?" Cody's voice boomed out. She and Hannah stood on center stage.
When everyone quieted, she spoke again. "We want to thank you for coming to the grand opening of Billy Sweet's Honky Tonk Angels."
The crowd cheered and clapped for a good while. Hannah spoke up when the noise died down. "We especially want to thank Weathers Construction for the fantastic job they did."
There was more hoots and cheers before Cody took the microphone. "And thanks to everyone who pitched in to help us get ready for tonight. Y'all are the best and we can't thank you enough. But right now, we're done talking. It's time for some music and dancing, so we're gonna turn it over to the band."
They exited the stage and were swallowed in the crowd, people stopping them every few feet. Jolene looked up at JD as the band started playing. "I think they're going to make this a real success. Not that it wasn't already. But I think they're going to do great."
"I agree."
"This is a nice place."
"It is."
"And it's nice music."
"Yep."
She gave him a pinch on the side, knowing that he was teasing in his own way. That's one thing she'd learned about Justice Weathers. He had his own way of doing things and she'd come to love it. "So are you gonna ask a girl to dance or what?"
"Wanna dance, gorgeous?"
"Why yes, thanks for asking."
They made it onto the dance floor just as the song was ending. When the band started up again, it was a slow song. JD pulled Jolene close and smiled down at her. "So, two more weeks and you're done here?"
That question made her heart quicken. Now was the time that their futures would be decided. She was hopeful, excited and terrified but tried not to show it. "With my assignment, yes."
"And what then?"
She looked into his eyes and smiled. "I guess that depends on you."
"On me?"
"Yes. On you. The way I see it, I can get in the rig and leave with my crew, go wherever the network sends me, or…"
"Or what?"
"Or I stay and start the next chapter here. It all depends on what you want."
He looked into her eyes, his gaze capturing hers and was quiet for so long that Jolene's hope started to fade. When he spoke, his voice was soft and filled with emotion she recognized.
"I want you."
"For how long?"
"Forever. Marry me, Jo. Be mine."
There it was. The answer to her dream. She smiled up at him. "I might be persuaded."
"Oh and just what's it gonna take?"
"I already told you. Take my breath away."
JD pulled her close and did just that. She heard the cheers and hollers from the people around them. JD ended the kiss and looked down at her. "Did you find what you wanted, honey?"
"Everything I dreamed. I love you, Justice, so much I want to shout it to the world."
"Me too." He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I lov
e you, Jolene. With my every breath."
She smiled up at him "That was a mighty soft shout there cowboy."
JD's smile lit her heart. "You said shout it to the world. You're mine, honey."
Jolene didn't care about the tears that gathered in her eyes. She hadn't planned it, but fate had sent her to Cotton Creek to find what she wanted most and she'd found it.
She'd found Justice.
She'd found love.
She'd found home.
About the Author
You can find all of Ciana’s books on Amazon. Visit her author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Ciana-Stone/e/B002BLJNUY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1410121040&sr=8-2
Books by Ciana Stone
Southern Comfort- Honky Tonk Angels Book One
Hot in the Saddle
Untamed: A Three Book Box Set
The Whisperers: Simply Irresistible – A Three Book Box Set
Holdin’ On for a Hero: A three book set
Tales of Betrayal, passion, danger and love
Hunger: The V’Kar Series – A three book set
The Sins of Love – Renegades Book 1
Coming of Age
On My Knees – The Seven Book 1
Ruffle My Feathers – The Seven Book 2
With a Little Help From My Friends
Wrath: Voodoo's Angel
