Along for the Ride

by Casey Peeler

  “Oh really?” she questions, closing the space between us. Taking my hands, I find her waist and pull her to me.

  “Really.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because it lets me know this is a first for us here and it’s never been shared before.”

  “I like the sound of that, Jake,” she says as her lips find mine.

  Chapter 50

  Belle

  Chase takes me by the hand and out the door toward his truck. Climbing in, I stare at him. “Like what you see?” he says proudly.

  “You have no idea.”

  As he goes to turn the key in the ignition, I slide closer to him. “Belle, you better slow your roll coming over here.” Ignoring him, I move closer. Taking my arms, I wrap them around his waist and he stiffens. “What are you doing?”

  “Lovin’ on you.” I look up at him. “I just want to hug you, is that okay?”

  “Yeah, but don’t push it. We’re going to see my parents.” I laugh and realize that he’s nervous. “I’m truly sorry about in there, and I swear to never joke about that again.” He takes his hand and places it around me.

  “Good.”

  “Take a deep breath. You’re taking me home to them. It’s not a stranger.”

  “I know and that’s why I’m scared. Do you know how much crap my dad has given me over the past five years?” I have no idea what he’s talking about. “I think he was starting to worry I was gay or was never going to move on.”

  I pull back from him, “You’re kiddin’, right?”

  “Yes and no. He used to give me a hard time. He knows I’m straight as an arrow. As much as he knew I was head over heels for you, that wasn’t an option. I think he was worried I’d wait around too long and my options would be limited. He didn’t want me waiting on a girl that wouldn’t give us a chance.” Hearing him say those words make my heart hurt.

  “I’m so sorry, Chase.”

  Taking his hand, he finds the side of my face. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. You were protecting our relationship and holding on to the what ifs, but walking into their house today, it’s real.”

  Leaning in, I kiss his lips. “Yes, we’re real.” Kissing him once more, I slide my arms around him and place my head on his shoulder for the short drive to his parents’ house.

  Pulling into the driveway, I see his dad and Sadie at the barn. She begins to run toward the truck and looking at Chase, he is grinning like he won the lottery. Putting the truck in park, he leaves the keys in the ignition as we both climb out the driver’s side. Sadie quickly finds him and he squats down to her. She wags her tail and jumps around in excitement. He pets her and loves on her a few minutes as his dad approaches.

  “Welcome home, you two,” he says, coming to greet us as we hear the screen door slam shut. Liz, his mom, is hurrying toward him.

  As Chase sees her, he stands from Sadie and walks toward her. He holds out his arms and hugs her tightly. When he releases her, she takes a step back and looks to me.

  “Well, get over here and give me a hug, Belle.” Smiling, I walk to her and give her a hug. This woman has been a part of my life forever. “Y’all wanna go inside and chat before we get ready to go to the cookout? I’ve got the baked beans in the oven.”

  “Sure, Mom.”

  “Chase, can you help me a second?” Mel questions and I nod. Liz and I walk to the house as Chase follows his dad along with Sadie.

  Chase

  Walking toward the barn with Dad, I know there’s more to this than help. Stepping inside, he motions toward the wood pile and I help him move some of the boards to his truck.

  “So, it’s the real deal, huh?” he says.

  “It is. Is something wrong?”

  “Nope. Just curious on how long before you popped the question.” Smiling, this man knows me better than I know myself.

  “I actually planned on asking her after the Harvest Festival dance this weekend.” He smiles toward me. “Kinda where this all started.”

  “Make sure you talk to Mel.”

  “Dad, you better give me more credit than that. Why do you think I was so glad she actually wanted to come home?”

  “That girl will always want to go home. You can take the girl outta Lattimore, but there’s something about this place that keeps you coming back. I’ve got a big job this week. Want to help me with it?”

  “I’d love to, and I hope you’re right. This place is home, but as long as I’ve got her by my side, that’s the best kinda home.”

  Dad shakes his head, “Boy, you got it bad.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “Not a thing, now let’s finish getting this on the truck so we can get in there with our women.”

  Chapter 51

  Belle

  Walking in the house with Liz, I’m brought back in time. It’s been years since I walked in here or been alone with her in the kitchen. As a kid, we’d play in the back yard and she’d fix us fresh tomato sandwiches in the summertime with fresh-squeezed lemonade. This time it’s different. Chase and I are different, and she knows it.

  “You love him, don’t you?” she says, catching me off guard.

  “More than I ever could have imagined.”

  She opens the oven, checking the beans then walks to the fridge, pulling out a perfect pitcher of lemonade. My mouth starts to water looking at it. Pouring us a glass, she passes one to me. “Let’s go sit on the porch swing while we wait on them,” she says and for some reason, I feel like I’m about to get twenty questions.

  Taking a seat, we watch those two men work in the heat of the day. I can’t help but stare at Chase.

  “Belle, he’s loved you his entire life.”

  “I know.”

  “As his mama, it’s part of my nature to protect him even if he’s a grown man. He’s had his heart set on you for so long, I was terrified when he went on the road with you. Things happened so quickly and I was afraid that it could all blow up in a hot minute. I knew he wouldn’t survive that, but the night he called me when you were back in Nashville, it was obvious that this was his future. I prayed for his mate from the day he was born. I wanted him to find someone that gets him, worships the ground he walks on, and loves all of his faults. You’ve always been that girl, and I wanted you to know how happy I am for the both of you. Now, if you do anything to hurt my baby boy, I’ll have a few other things to say,” she says as he playfully elbows me.

  “There’s no way I’d ever hurt him. I did that for too long keeping him in the friend zone.”

  She laughs and as we look toward them, we realize they are heading our way. “Belle, there’s just something about a McSwain man. They get better with age. I fall more in love with Mel each and every day. Remember that,” she says and I can’t help but agree. Thinking back to Chase as a teen, he had a nice little body that I refused to admit most days, but as a grown man he’s not only hot in the looks department, he knows how to work with his hands, use them for other purposes, but that heart of his melts mine every time. In a few short months, I’ve fallen head over heels for Chase, and I can only imagine what we it will be like at his parents’ age.

  Chase

  Walking to the front porch, I see the two most important women in my life smiling and it’s obvious they have been talking about us.

  “Dad, what do you think they’ve been talkin’ ‘bout?”

  “Oh, I’m sure your mama gave her fair warning not to hurt her baby boy.”

  “You’re kiddin’?”

  “Nope. That’s part of a mama bear’s job. You’ll understand that one day, but I also bet she was telling her how happy she is for the both of you. That sure is a purdy sight up there, isn’t it?” he asks me and I couldn’t agree more. My mom was the first girl to hold my heart and she always will have a piece of it, but the beautiful blonde beside her makes my heart beat, and without her I’m a lost cause.

  Taking a step onto the wooden step toward the porch, Belle’s eyes find mine and
she smiles. “Want some?” she questions to the lemonade and of course I do. That stuff is the best. She passes it to me as I take a large gulp.

  “Chase John McSwain, there’s more. Slow down and have some manners.”

  “Can’t help it. I’m ‘bout to die it’s so hot out here,” I say, looking toward Belle and we all laugh as her face turns fifty shades of red. Walking inside, we refill our glasses then take a seat at the kitchen table. We’ve got a few minutes to talk about the tour, what’s next and what time they are going to the Montgomery’s. After twenty minutes or so, I excuse us to go home to get ready. I honestly want a little more time with Belle before I have to share here with everyone else.

  As we go to the truck, Sadie follows her instead of me. My two girls. Belle opens the truck door and she climbs in the back seat. Once Belle and I are in the truck, Sadie places her head between us and we can’t help but smile. She wants to be in the middle with us. Within a couple minutes, we’re back at home, and Belle has taken Sadie’s food bowls and got them placed right where they belong. Sadie wastes no time going to them.

  Looking at the clock, I know we’ve got two hours before we have to leave. Taking a step toward her, I pull her into me and hold her tightly. As she looks up at me, I press my lips to hers. “I love you, Bella Blu.” She kisses me once more. “What do you want to do for the next little bit? I’ve got to shower now that Dad put me to work.”

  “Can we sit on the couch and watch TV?” she asks.

  “Sounds like a perfect plan to me. I’m going to jump in the shower real fast, but go ahead and make yourself at home.”

  Making my way to the shower, I realize I have nothing in here. I go to my room, grab my shower bag and walk back in. I take a record shower and know that every moment I’m in here, time is ticking. I don’t want to share her for the next little while. Within ten minutes, I’m drying my hair with a towel then I slide on a new pair of jeans and a fitted t-shirt. Taking my favorite ball cap, I slide it on and walk toward the living room, and the sight before me leaves me speechless. Bella Blu is sitting on my couch with her shoes off and watching the hunting channel by choice. That right there is such a turn on. Sliding beside her, she moves into my shoulder and asks a question about the show. Funniest part is she answers it before I have time to. This girl is one of a kind. Not only does she have the voice of an angel, but she enjoys what I’ve always loved. That’s part of growing up like we have.

  We watch the next episode, and both of us must have dozed off when her phone begins to ring, waking us. Quickly, she jumps up from my arms and I almost feel lost without her. Gosh, I am whipped to no end, but it’s the truth. Looking my way, she smiles.

  “Hey, Mom. Yes, we can do that. See you shortly. Love you.” Hanging up, she cuddles back into my arm. “She needs us to stop and get a few bags of ice before heading over.”

  “You do realize that means we’ve got to get going?” I question to her.

  “I know, but can we stay like this for five more minutes? Sometimes I just want to cuddle.” Without another word, I get it. It’s times like this that life stands still and we can enjoy the stillness in our life rather than the chaos on the road.

  Chapter 52

  Belle

  As Chase and I arrive at my house, I soak it all in as we arrive at the farm. I see that Daddy has been working hard harvesting the cotton and taking today off to get us at the airport and this cookout is putting him behind I’m sure.

  “Quit worrying, Bella Blu. He’s got it under control.”

  “How do you do that?”

  “I’ve told you before, I know you. Plus, your dad has this down to an art. Not to mention, he’s got plenty of workers.”

  “I know you’re right.”

  Pulling into the drive, all cars are in the driveway except Laurel and I’m positive they will be at least fifteen minutes late. As we put the truck in park, I wait for Chase to come and open the door, and see Laurel pulling down the drive. Well, I’ll be. She’s not late at all today and then I realize another car is following them. Her parents.

  “I didn’t know Pete and Ann were coming,” I say.

  “Did you really think they’d not invite them?” Chase says, shaking his head.

  “I don’t know. I guess I assumed, and I know what that means.”

  Chase grabs the bags of ice from the back of the truck and we wait for them so we can all walk to the house together.

  Walking inside, I hear Mom and Liz in the kitchen. “Chase, will you take the ice to the back? I’m sure Daddy’s got his Yeti out there. I’m going to see if Mama needs any help.”

  “Sure. Jake, you want to come with me?” He looks to Laurel and her parents.

  “I’m following them,” Pete says. “There’s too many hens in this kitchen already.” Looking at each other, we all shake our heads as the guys go outside.

  As soon as the door shuts, all eyes go to Laurel and myself. “What?” I ask, walking toward the refrigerator. Opening it, I grab a beer for myself and turn to ask if anyone else wants one when I realize that all the moms are still standing there.

  “Yes, we want a beer, but we want details, ladies.” Looking to Laurel, I realize this is weird. Don’t get me wrong. I talk to my mom a lot, but this is different.

  “Like what kind?”

  “Tell us about Vegas,” and that’s when I see Laurel blush. What has she not told me?

  “We sang, we watched history being made at the rodeo, saw Oliver ride, enjoyed the city, and came home.”

  “Ann, I don’t believe them, do you?” Mama questions her. I look to Laurel and she has no clue either.

  “What in the world, do you think we eloped while we were there or something?” I say and Laurel almost chokes on her beer. Looking at her, she gets herself together. There’s something she hasn’t told me and it has to do with a wedding, I’m positive.

  “Not going to say it didn’t cross my mind. Especially, when Chase called saying you were all coming home,” Liz states.

  “There was no wedding. I hope you know us both enough to know that we’d want our families there. Isn’t that right, Laurel?”

  “Yeah, I mean, I could never do that.” I see guilt all over her face. Knowing I need to change the subject, I take a swig of my beer and move on.

  “Mama, y’all need any help or can we go out back?”

  “We’re good. Take this out when you go and we’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  Taking the buns from Mama, Laurel and I quickly exit the room. As soon as we’re out of ear shot, I look to her. “Girl, you better spill it.”

  She pauses, “Jake wanted to elope while we were there. We went to a chapel and everything, but before we could do anything he pulled me back into the street and said we both deserved better. It was the most spontaneous thing I’d ever done in my life. I’d have married him that night, too, but I’m so glad we didn’t.”

  “Whew. I thought y’all did that and didn’t even ask us to witness. I would have been happy for ya, but I’d have been mad, too,” we both laugh.

  “Boy, does it feel better to have that off my chest,” she says and we walk out the back door.

  Walking out back, I quickly find Chase talking to Daddy and Beau and they look like they are in deep conversation. Laurel and I place the buns on the table then walk toward my three favorite men.

  Chase

  Max stiffens as he looks behind him. I know she’s got to be out here, and this has to be the most awkward conversation I’ve ever had with anyone.

  “As long as you love her, you have my blessing, Chase,” Max says and that’s all I need to hear.

  “Same goes for me,” and then Beau smirks.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask him, knowing she’s got to be close.

  “Remember what you told me way back in the day?” he says.

  “How could I forget? That was like the motto I’ve lived by, and I’m going to make good on that promise, too. She’s always been more than a prom date.�
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  “All right, you two. I’m not sure I want to here where this is going with my little girl. I’m going to go check the burgers.” He leaves us standing there as Belle walks up.

  “Everything okay over here?” she questions.

  “It’s better now.”

  “Where’s Sara?” she asks her brother.

  “She had a function with her parents out of town this evening.”

  “I’m surprised she didn’t ask you to go.”

  “Listen, I love her but you’ve not been home in forever. I couldn’t leave you hangin’,” he says and it catches Belle off guard.

  “Well, I’ll be. Beau Bear does love me.”

  “When you going to stop with the Beau Bear crap?”

  “Never,” she says as she gives him a hug and I’m so glad that they have everything worked out.

  *****

  The remainder of the evening we all eat, drink a few cold ones, talk about the tour, talk about what’s next, and as we finish up, we help them clean up. Laurel, Jake, and her family leave first, followed by her grandparents and Beau. I’ve pretty much put it off as long as I can.

  She looks at me and I take her by the hand. “Wanna go swing?” She smiles and it’s one that would light up the night sky. Walking to the front of the house, we see the worn tire. As we approach it, she walks a little faster. Sliding in it, I push her as we enjoy the peace and quiet. Time passes and I know I’ve got to go home. We’re both exhausted, but leaving her is hard.

  As she looks up into the sky, I wonder what she’s doing and before I can ask, she tells me. “Do you ever wish on stars?”

  “No, I’ve never wished on them. Do you?”

  “Sometimes. I used to wish it would take me out of here and put me on the stage.”

  “Looks like they were granted.”

  “Maybe so, but is it strange that tonight I want them to bring me home?”

  Holding the rope still, I wait for it to stop and look down to her, “You’ve got me and as long as we’re together, we’re home.”