Julia's Journey (A Coming Home Again Novel Book 2)

by Lowe, T. I.

  “It makes sense for them to have such a big place with that whole bustle of children. Can you imagine?” I say in awe as Greyson pulls behind the mansion. I’m stunned silent again when the back of the place opens up to the river. I tear my eyes from that and spot a giant pool underneath a charming veranda. These people have it going on.

  “They’re a fun bunch. You should have seen those kids teaching me how to fish. They all have their own poles and everything.” Greyson is just smiling away, and I see the longing in his gaze as he watches the Mason crew rush over to us. They pop in the back and all start talking at once. Little Gabe climbs in my lap, and I find myself choking up over the sweetness of it all.

  “Mr. Greyson, Daddy says you and Miss Julia need to stay here with us,” one of the twins named Layla states.

  The other twin is busy loving on Fifi. “Yeah, we got a river cabin and everything. Daddy said it was all right,” she pipes in. I recall them calling her Lola. I love their names. They really suit them.

  I look over at Greyson and he just shrugs his shoulders at the unexpected invite.

  “We’ll see,” he answers.

  Little Gabe looks up at me and whispers, “Stay.” And my heart melts instantly.

  Before I can comment one way or the other, Crowley sticks his head in the door. “Y’all just gonna sit out here or get busy with swimming?”

  They all run back out at this. Lola says over her shoulder, “Come on, y’all.”

  I sit Gabe down, and he scurries off behind his siblings. I look over and find Crowley propped on the side of the door.

  “We’ve got a river cabin, if you two would like to make this an extended pit stop on your road trip. We’d love to have you for a spell.” He looks to me then over to Greyson.

  Greyson shrugs his shoulders again and looks at me for the answer. It’s his trip. I don’t know why he wants me to make this call.

  “It’s up to you, honey.” I put it back on him.

  Greyson smiles. “We’d love too. Thanks, man.”

  “Don’t be thanking me yet. We’ve dumped you in the river already. Who knows what else might happen,” Crowley says with mischief lighting his face.

  He heads out and Greyson stands to follow him, but hesitates at the door. “You sure?” he asks me.

  “Sure,” I say, and he backtracks and places a kiss on my cheek. It’s not the lips, but he’s getting closer. That makes me hopeful.

  I spend the rest of the day frolicking in the pool with the children, and I’m surprised to find myself famished by the time supper rolls around. I’m quite impressed that Crowley and Greyson have cooked supper. Crowley says it’s his country boy go-to meal—fried fish, fried potatoes and onions, and coleslaw. We eat outside by the pool and it’s so good. We stay out here way after the meal is finished, just talking late into the night. We eventually yawn more than we can talk, so the entire Mason family escorts us to the cedar cabin.

  “This is beautiful,” I say as Leah shows me around. The two oldest boys carry my bags in like the gentlemen I’m sure they are being taught to be and place them in one of the bedrooms while Greyson claims the other.

  Leah brings in a bag she grabbed from her house and starts unloading snacks and drinks in the cozy kitchen. “This should hold you over until tomorrow.”

  “Thank you so much.” I’m so floored by their hospitality.

  “Church services start at nine in the morning. You want to catch a ride so you don’t have to drive the RV?” Crowley asks. I didn’t even realize tomorrow is Sunday. I’ve lost track of the days on this trip.

  “We have scooters,” Greyson assures him.

  “Better yet, why don’t you leave them the jeep,” Leah suggests.

  “That’s a good idea, Lee,” Crowley answers her. I smile at the nickname. He fishes a key out of his pocket and hands it to Greyson. “It’s parked right outside.”

  Greyson grins. “You’re mighty trusting. That’s a sweet ride you drove up in. My girl and I along with that jeep may have vanished by morning,” he warns.

  Crowley laughs. “Nah. I trust you’ll still be here tomorrow. You’ve not eaten a proper Lulu Sunday dinner yet. Y’all don’t want to miss that.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Greyson agrees, and I swear you’d think these two guys have known each other all of their lives. How can Greyson just get on with people with such ease? It boggles me.

  After coercing the children out the door, the quaint cabin falls silent. Greyson and I laugh at the absurdity of the day as we shake our heads. It definitely wasn’t what we had planned.

  He surprises me by gathering me up in his arms. “What a day.”

  I snuggle close and just enjoy the warmth of him and repeat, “What a day.”

  We hold onto each other until that tension starts to build as it did last night. I feel him beginning to pull away from me so I grasp ahold of him tighter. I look up and see the storm in his green eyes.

  “Kiss me, Greyson,” I whisper.

  He takes an unsteady breath and shakes his head. “No,” he answers, causing my eyes to prick with disappointed tears. Before I can shed the first tear, he begins running the tip of his finger along my bottom lip, causing me to shiver. He studies my lips as he licks his own. “I want to be the last man to ever kiss these beautiful lips… I just don’t think you’re ready for that yet,” he murmurs as he traces over my lip one last time. He releases me and heads to his room.

  “Greyson Stone,” I call out with a shaky tone. He stops by his door and looks over his shoulder. “That was the sexiest thing I have ever heard.”

  I expect one of his sweet smiles but get a sultry look instead that sends a warmth through me. “Good night, honey,” he says in a husky voice and closes his door behind him. I hear the lock click into place and snap out of my lustful haze. Smiling, I head to my room and leave him be for the night.

  ~~~~

  Sunday is a grand day as well. I find the church service very pleasing. The pastor preached a message on love and I got giddy when he shared the verses, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I think they have become my favorite.

  After the preacher read it, I leaned into Greyson and whispered, “That’s my verse, honey.” He just smiled and nodded his head.

  It was such a sweet service and very uplifting. I thought I was going to come in here and have this man scream fire and brimstone at us. I was prepared for that, but this achingly sweet service surprised me. I sense that same overwhelming feeling as I did at the mountain service. I’m beginning to understand that having God in your life isn’t the sacrifice I imagined it to be—I’m gaining. That nagging feeling of missing out on something is still tapping me on the shoulder nonetheless. I’m almost certain that I’m close to figuring it out, though. I know I’ve given some things up in this last half a year, but it only feels like burdens have been shed. For the first time in my life I sense the chains of my past loosening.

  Lulu cooks a Sunday feast at her riverside home and we fill her house to the seams. A little guy named Jessup joins us, as well as Ana and her husband and daughter. We stay for hours but it only seems like mere minutes have passed. The entire group of them is a dizzy fun and I just get consumed by it all. Greyson does too. He and Crowley are both only children and I guess it’s sort of bonded them together. Wherever one is the other has been all day, talking nonstop like they have so much to catch up on, even though they’ve just met only yesterday.

  We head back to the river cabin as the sky shows signs of an approaching storm. Greyson heads inside to check on Fifi, but I pause and scan over the lush green grass. I slip my sandals off and walk towards the center of the yard. After thinking about it for a few seconds, I give in and stretch out on my back. I
tuck the skirt of my sundress underneath me and cross my ankles in pure contentment. I peer up at the gray whirling sky as I run my hands through the soft blades of grass. I’m staring up at one of the steely clouds that is shaped like a bunny rabbit when Greyson runs up and straddles me dramatically.

  “Julia! Are you okay?”

  He’s mocking me, so I playfully pop his leg. “You’re not funny, Stone.”

  He sets into tickling my sides, and I squeal out until I can barely breathe. Fifi darts over to check on me and starts yapping at Greyson to knock it off. She gives my face a lick and I reach over and give her some love back. I scratch behind her ears before she scurries off.

  Greyson settles on top of me and tilts that gorgeous head of his as he watches me curiously. He finally asks, “What are you doing out here anyway?”

  “Taking a page out of the Greyson Stone handbook of simple living and enjoying the clouds drifting by.”

  He looks up, then back at me, shaking his head. “It works better on blue sky days when there are big ole cotton-ball clouds. Not during stormy skies. You didn’t study the handbook very well, Miss.”

  “I find beauty in storms,” I comment.

  Greyson gazes at me as though he’s thinking my statement over. “You, know. I have to agree with you on that.” He bends down and places a tender kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to the dock to fish before the storm shows up. You want to join me?” he asks as he gets up and pulls me to my feet.

  “I’ll keep you company, honey. But I’m not fishing.” I wrinkle my nose.

  “Okay, Miss Priss.”

  The Mason children show up and keep us company until the storm starts rolling in and they bustle back home. They are great company, and I enjoyed watching Greyson eat it up. We are sitting in rockers on the screened-in porch, watching the rain dance on top of the river now. The day has pretty much drifted away. I look over and find Greyson lost in thought. I automatically know somehow that he is thinking about those children. A smile keeps passing over his lips.

  “How many do you want to have?”

  He glances over at me, then back to the water, and just gives me a faint shoulder shrug.

  “I know you want them.”

  “The issue isn’t me wanting them. It’s if I can ever have them,” he mutters.

  He’s young and so promising. I think it would be a shame for him to not have the pleasure those kids so clearly give to Crowley. Greyson Stone would make a great daddy. I think about this for a few minutes, waiting for him to explain. Instead, he keeps rocking and stays silent.

  “What do you mean, Greyson?” I reach for his hand and he allows me to have it. His hand is always warm and inviting.

  “All the different treatments I had to have killed the cancer… And I’m so very thankful. But that also came with a pretty extensive list of side effects—both short and long term…” His words trail off. I see a pucker form between his brows, but it disappears by the time he turns to look at me. “Fertility issues are a side effect.”

  Oh… Now I get it. Poor Greyson. “How certain is it?”

  He shrugs again. “Won’t know until I give it a try. It’s in God’s hands, and I’m going to leave it there.”

  Greyson may be in remission, but it is still costing him a lot, I’m noticing. Another question arises and I’m not sure I want the answer, but ask it anyway. “What are the chances of the cancer coming back?”

  He squeezes my hand and his smile falters as does my own. “I’ve got a fifty-fifty shot.” He taps his chest. “I’m pretty sure that’s why they want me to hang on to my port for a while. Again, it’s in God’s hands. I plan on leaving it there. I’m living today. That’s what I’m going to focus on.” He reaches over and tries to dry my cheeks. “No pitying me, Thorton,” he reminds me sternly.

  “Not pity, Stone. I’m just loving you.” I weep stronger after noticing his eyes mist up as well.

  “Do you really love me, Julia?”

  “I’ve loved you since the moment I met you. But in the last few months, I’ve fallen in love with you.” It’s true too. I have fallen in love with him. I just didn’t even know it was possible. And more shocking, how easy it was to do.

  I get out of my chair and go sit in his lap. Greyson wraps me in his arms securely and holds me. Rocking on this porch, our feelings only seem to grow more intense. My body trembles from its power. I’ve not even kissed him yet, so how on earth will we even survive such a potent connection as that?

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Greyson

  August slips away and September shows up unexpectedly. I can only shake my head at this. It feels like just yesterday we pulled up for a one-day stop in Rivertown and now I realize we have been here for a month. The Mason kids started school yesterday, so I think that’s what finally snapped me awake. I’ve fallen in love with the whole lot of them. Honestly, I’ve fallen in love with the town too. And even more honestly, I have absolutely, with ample certainty, fallen completely in love with Julia Thorton. That’s a mouthful, but it still doesn’t come close to how strong my love is for her. I tried not to. I really tried… Nevertheless, it happened and there’s no going back. I’ve never wanted for something as much as I want to be able to claim Julia as my destiny.

  We decided last night it’s finally time to head to Bay Creek before we grow any more roots in Rivertown and never leave. I’m honestly thinking about making this place my home. I can do advertising anywhere so long as I have a computer. I love the town and the people. And I’ve felt so at home at the church. This place just fits.

  We’ve spent the month fishing, swimming, boating, or at some festival or celebration the town seems to enjoy putting on. All of this has been great, but there are two things that stand out the most. I will carry them with me always.

  First was the day the kids finally talked prissy Julia into going mud bogging with us. We all loaded up on four wheelers and struck out in the woods, after a generous rainstorm, with her holding on for dear life on the back of my machine. By the time we got back, we were all covered head to toe in mud. Julia had grumbled lightheartedly about receiving a mud treatment. She said she just didn’t see ever getting it all washed off.

  That’s when Crowley ordered the kids to take care of it. “All right young’uns, take her out back and hose her down.”

  They pulled her to the garage and literally set out to hosing her down. She squealed and hopped around in the spray until she grabbed it and turned it on the children. I stood off to the side and snapped several pictures. I had never seen her more happy—or beautiful for that matter.

  As I’ve watched her with the Mason kids, a longing has showed up so severe I can scarcely ignore it. I can’t go there. It’s something I just have to put away, but it’s hard. With me finally seeing how precious life can be, all I can see when I close my eyes is a family of my own. It’s selfish to want any more than what I already have, but I can’t help but hope for more. Selfish, I know.

  The other thing that has happened during the last month is more important than anything else that has happened in the last three years. And that is Julia asking Jesus into her life. It was during a Sunday worship service and I saw it all over her before she left my side and headed for the altar. Lulu had joined her at the altar and held her as though Julia was her own. I guess now she is. The following Sunday, Lulu had a celebration supper after Julia’s baptism. Those pictures of my beautiful Julia waist deep in the river being baptized are my favorite of the trip. Since this, a calm has settled over her that I’ve never seen. I thank God that he saved her. It has been the most important thing I’ve wanted for her since we met.

  So this morning we saw the children off to school and said “see ya laters” instead of goodbyes to our new friends. The first twenty minutes or so after we pulled out, Julia quietly cried as she held Fifi close. I’ve kept an eye on her for any signs of stress, but I’ve found none. Her hands are still and she’s calm.

  I scan the GPS and tell J
ulia, “We’re almost there.” It is only an hour drive and it feels like we arrive in a flash.

  She glances at me and murmurs, “Okay, honey.” She then goes back to staring out the window.

  “Are you ready for this?” I ask her, unsure.

  “I think so. I miss Savannah and Miss May.” She seems to think about it some and smiles over at me. “You think my sister will talk to you this time?”

  I chuckle as I take the exit for Bay Creek. “I sure hope so.”

  “It’s your own fault. You struck the poor girl dumb with your gorgeous self.”

  I drive down a beach access road until we are only a block from the beach. Julia instructs me to park on the side of her family’s restaurant. The lot is already pretty packed. I hop out and scan the two buildings’ exteriors while Julia walks Fifi over to the grassy area behind the restaurant. The other building is a seafood market but both places look like well-preserved beach houses. They’re pretty cool.

  Julia meets me up front and, after taking a deep breath, she walks us through the front door of the restaurant, where she is immediately surrounded by people. They hug her and tell her how much she’s been missed. After greeting everyone warmly in sweet Julia fashion, she asks about her sister and brother.

  The hostess answers, “Savannah is in her office and JP is globetrotting.”

  Julia promises to catch up some more with everybody later and starts heading us in the direction of what I’m guessing is the office. She opens the door and we are both stunned still at what we find. Her sister is in a bikini sitting on top of the desk and is wildly making out with who I’m hoping is her husband.

  Savannah hops up in surprise and the dude firmly plants her in front of him. “Julia!” she says breathlessly.

  Julia shouts back, “Your belly!”

  “Told her to lay off the hush puppies,” the dude mumbles from behind her.

  Savannah reaches around and pops him. “You forgot to lock the door, hotshot.”

  “I thought you got it.”