by Emily Childs
After a few ladies stopped by to gossip and drink tea, I excused myself and have been wandering near the magical oak tree for the last hour. Sitting on the bank of the creek, I let the cool water tickle my fingertips. So many special moments were had by this creek, and everything of note included Rafe. This place doesn’t bring me any joy tonight, instead it brings stubborn, unshed tears.
I hug my knees to my chest and bury my face in the tops.
“Whoever made you cry, princess, I hope you slap him straight.”
I blink through the tears, eyes swollen, and whip around. Rafe stands ten feet away, face pained, hands shoved into his jeans. He looks perfect, the man sends my heart into my head, sends shivers down my spine. I wish he didn’t. Not if it’s going to hurt this much.
“I want to slap him,” I say and turn back toward the creek.
“Ollie,” he whispers as he comes to my side. “I need to talk to you.”
“I don’t know if I want to talk to you.” I glare at him, unashamed that the tears are still coming.
I stand to leave, but he grabs my wrist before I can run. “Ol, please.”
“What do you want to say? What more can you say?”
I lose all my energy to fight him when Rafe wraps an arm around my waist, drawing me against him. The woodsy freshness of his skin is heady like I’ve had too much to drink. He uses his thumb to tip my chin up.
“I love you,” he says a little breathlessly. “Before anything else I need you to know that.”
I try to pull away, not ready to hear what else he has to say. The way he’s starting, I’m not sure it’ll be good, like he’s bracing me for a dump of bad news. He only tightens his hold around my waist.
“Love isn’t enough if you don’t want to move beyond our backgrounds,” I say.
“I want to.”
My heart jumps. “Will you?”
“I will, Ollie. I am. Right this second.”
I tilt my head, trying to get a read on him. “Just like that huh? Trouble is you’ve said that before.”
“Olive.” His soft, raw tone breaks me in the best ways. Like he’s grappling for me before falling over an edge. “I want you.”
My bottom lip trembles despite myself.
Rafe swallows and rests one of his perfect, warm, calloused hands against my cheek. “I want you, and only you. I love that you’re a teacher. I love that you have diamond earrings.” He dips his chin, so our mouths are inches away. “I love that you know every bit of dinner etiquette, but could spend hours digging for shells in the mud. You loved me for being me, and I took your right to keep doing it away. You’re right, I was a coward, Ollie. In my mind you deserve someone so much better than me.”
There it is. There is always someone who will be better than him. I try to shake him off again, refusing to crumble in front of him, but he holds me steady.
“Ollie, it’s because I love you that I think those things. But I’ve realized something, call it an epiphany that I hope hasn’t come too late: I can love you and still think I don’t deserve you.”
I stop resisting, eyes brimming with tears. “What?” He pauses, and I stare at the man, all at once, desperate for him to continue.
Rafe takes a deep breath. He rests his forehead against mine. “I can be with you and try to deserve you every day. I never want to stop trying. You’re the one who sets me on fire, who believes in me, who makes me better. It’s not a surprise to feel unworthy of you. How could I not?”
His fingers feather across my cheek and I shudder. “What are you saying, Rafe?”
“I’m asking if you’ll forgive me,” he whispers. “I’m asking you to tell me it’s not too late. But most of all I’m telling you I love you. So much that I can’t breathe right now. I’ve loved you all my life.”
I fight a smile, my pulse on a rampage. “What happens if the budget is tight, Rafe? Are you going to throw in how I should have chosen someone else?”
He grins and shakes his head. “No. We’ll eat pancakes instead of steak.”
Test number two. “When you hear someone talking about what a poor match we are, will you sulk for days, complaining about how I deserve better?”
“I don’t sulk, but no, I won’t. Are you going to make me agree to every possible scenario or are you going to let me kiss you?”
“Well, I don’t know, are you—”
Rafe swallows my gasp with his mouth. I fall into him without a second thought. This kiss isn’t the same as the others, this speaks of forever. His hand holds the back of my head and draws me firmly to him. I circle my arms around his neck, closing any gaps between us, but even then, we aren’t close enough.
He grins after a minute, maybe ten, and brushes my hair from my eyes. “Does this mean you forgive me?”
I smile against his skin. “You’re lucky I love you senseless, Rafe Whitfield.”
He kisses my nose, my forehead, my lips. “The luckiest, Ol.”
“You’ve always had my heart, and no one deserves it more than you. Never doubt that again.”
“I won’t, princess. You’re it for me, and you’ve got me forever.”
I soak up every kiss, every touch, until mosquitoes crash our romantic evening and force us to take cover away from the water. In his truck, I slide across the bench, hand on his leg all the way to my apartment.
Holding Rafe, loving him, giving him every piece of my heart is all I’ve wanted to do. Nothing will ever tell me wanting all this isn’t the most beautiful thing. I plan to have him always, from now until forever.
And it’s not more than two months later when he asks me to do just that.
Epilogue
Zac
Being born and raised in Honeyville, this place is in my blood. Part of the rugged attitude, appearance, the kind of talk I’m keen to keep each day. So when I show up with squeaky-clean fingernails, a trimmed beard, and a stuffy, albeit dashing, suit I expect a bit of teasing.
I shove Rafe’s shoulder as we line up near the massive oak tree, now dripping in flowering vines and tiny, white lights. He’s trying not to say anything about my prince-like appearance, and trust me, I’d shove August too, but he’s holding his baby girl until Millie gets settled to take Brin for the ceremony. August uses the baby against me and is a whole lot louder than Rafe about how adorable I am and other nonsense words.
“This,” I snap at Rafe while pointing at my face, “is for Ollie, so don’t be teasing, and be grateful I have a high opinion of your girl.”
Rafe chuckles. “I think Ollie would have let it slide, but Jace, Dot, and Mama might have had something to say.”
Can’t say I don’t agree. I glance at my friend, watching Rafe wring his hands more with each minute that ticks by, and I laugh. When a harp starts its soft melody, I clap him on the back. “This is a good day, man.”
He adjusts the cuffs of his jacket. “A very good day.”
The Cutler’s backyard is donned in glittering lights that added a magical glow to the garden. I can understand why Rafe and Olive spent so much time by this creek. The magnolias are enough to make me stay all night. Tonight, the Cutlers spared no expense for their only child’s wedding. Banquet tables are stacked with different cuts of meat from any animal I can imagine, drinks with a bunch of names I can’t pronounce, coffees, teas, everything.
But then, this is a wedding long in the making. I’m just glad the bride and groom finally got it together so we can all party.
Although, I am at my boiling point. A suit in summer. No thank you. The only bit of pleasure I have to distract me is making faces at the bridesmaids as they walk down the aisle. Jace comes first. She’s funny. Who knew Rafe’s long-lost cousin would be awesome? When I try to throw her off by some practiced sultry faces, I’m pretty sure she flips me off from behind her bouquet. Dot is next, and bolder, returning every wink and pouting lip I toss at her. I didn’t think I’d be friendly with so many women, but truth is the last few months I’ve spent nights hanging out with just tho
se two ladies and having a great time.
Even if they try to set me up with everyone they see. I’m not interested in their matchmaking.
Lily is after Dot. She’s stunning and one of the best. I’d never tell August his wife is hot, he’s protective, but she is. Beautiful inside and out, has been for the many years we’ve known each other. This last year the entire wedding party has gotten close. Dot—I always thought she was a massive snob. Glad to be proved wrong. Lily and August moved back months ago, and it’s like they never left. Jace, well, by default I planned to despise the Whitney family. What happened to Rafe and August isn’t right. But Jace, her brother Will, and their parents are great.
Will and his redhead stands behind August, adjusting his tie as much as me. I like that he hates being stuffy, since he grew up with a silver spoon. Their parents are seated next to Millie in the family rows. Jace’s and Will’s daddy resembles the Whitfield twins, so I can imagine what their deadbeat looks like. I’m curious if Jed Whitney even knows his boys are married now.
I can’t help but grin when the music changes and Olive appears, arm linked with her father. Rafe’s reaction is worth the suit and trimmed beard. Rafe has always been the brisker twin, the guy always on the defensive, but today he’s about ready to cry, I’d guess. He keeps trying to look at Olive in her flowing, lacy dress, then dropping his eyes to the grass.
I’ve wondered about this kind of thing. The being so in love you can’t keep your emotions steady. It’s what Jace and Dot keep trying to do for me, I think. Like I’m their project. No mistake, I love to love women, but the connection, the feeling of blood pounding in my head, or brimming tears, I’ve never had the pleasure.
Rafe tells me I’m too picky, Olive tells him to lighten up, and I appreciate the support. But I’m starting to think I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist. I can’t help it. I get bored. There is a part of me looking for a challenge beyond dinner, passionate evenings. Someone who doesn’t say all the things I want to hear, or doesn’t try to mold me into something I’m just not.
I shove the thoughts away and give my attention to my best friend as he vows to honor and love the girl of his dreams. Olive is a catch. She’s real and crazy about Rafe, and I’m thrilled for them. Sincerely. I clap with the rest of the crowd when Rafe kisses her and they lift their hands in the air, crying and smiling like they found their own little heaven.
It’s a good day.
Later, I’m lost in laughter sitting around one of the tables with my friends, eating and drinking. A couple that Rafe and Olive met in Minnesota are with us, and we’ve spent a good half hour comparing accents until we’re crying because we’re laughing too hard. Laney and Bastien are their names and I think Mr. Cutler wants to adopt them. Apparently, they’re responsible for making him richer.
I laugh when they get into it since Laney is from Boston and he’s all midwestern, but then Dot joins in with the southern drawl.
When we’re fuller, maybe drunker, I sigh and hold up a bottle of something delicious and imported. “I’d get married just for the honeymoon,” I say.
“Wait, is Zac Dawson admitting he wants to get married?” Jace asks. “What’s happening?”
I snort. “Why’d you pick The Keys, Ollie? Do you know how bad Rafe’s been rubbing it in since you booked the trip?”
Olive beams, her veil foregone, and she wraps her arms around Rafe’s neck. The newlyweds gaze at each other for at least five, embarrassing seconds before she kisses him sweet and quick. “You can’t be asking me how I could spend ten days lounging in paradise with this guy, Zac. And you’re only whining because you’re going to be shorthanded while we’re drinking out of coconuts.”
“I won’t even notice he’s gone,” I say. No one believes a word. Rafe is my friend, but also my best employee and has been since we were fifteen. If my uncle hadn’t owned the shop, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Rafe was the boss, not me. He’s taking night classes right now, and when he graduates, I’m sure he’ll leave me. I’ll be sitting here until then pretending like it’s not going to happen.
“You won’t notice, huh?” Olive says. “In that case, maybe we’ll stay a few extra days. I have three weeks off at school.”
“Don’t you dare,” I say.
As far as weddings go, I think this has been the best. Lots of laughing, dancing, and loving. Well, maybe not for Beau Cutler, he mostly sulked. I don’t know why he’s complaining, at least he was invited. If it were me, I’d have told him to take a hike after all the shenanigans he pulled trying to break Rafe and Olive up.
After we send Rafe and Olive off through a tunnel of sparklers and rose petals, I give in to August’s nagging and let him drive me home. I made a promise to drink, you see, and I kept it.
“You good?” August asks as we pull up to my house. I live next door to the shop and I’ve got to say, I have the best commute ever.
“Yeah,” I tell him as I scrub some feeling back into my face. “Thanks for driving. I plan to sleep until noon.”
“I think I hate you,” August insists. “I’ll be up at six since Brin thinks that’s a sensible time to wake up.”
I fumble out of my truck, take the keys from August, and wave to Lily who is in their car behind me. “You make it easy to want to stay single and childless when you talk like that.”
August laughs and steers me toward my front door before he drives away with his family. My house isn’t huge, but three bedrooms is more than plenty. It’s updated inside with tile and wood floors, and I even added fancy oak cabinets. I don’t need upgrades, but my mother, bless her heart, gets carried away with suggestions. I like using my hands, so I usually cave. Two months ago we tore out all the countertops and added granite. Don’t ask me why, it’s just something we did.
I pop two aspirin before heading to bed. Getting a head start on the hangover is key. I’m halfway down the hallway when my hazy brain is forced into focus by the sound of shredding metal, and screeching tires outside.
Looking out my window at the shop, I say a bunch of words that would make my dead grandmother blush, and rush outside. My shirt is half unbuttoned, untucked, and I don’t have shoes on.
“Hey lady!” I shout as I stomp across my lawn onto the gravel parking lot. “What do you think you’re doing?”
A woman leans out of the driver side door of a shiny, black SUV. She whips her head over her shoulder, looking at me. With the overhead lighting I get a shot of her unique eyes. Sort of like amethyst purple with a soft green in the mix. Her face is slender, hair long and wavy, basically she’s gorgeous.
But I’m fit to be furious. She’s slammed that big, boxy SUV right into the pole of a vintage gas pump we have set up outside the shop. Now the pole is leaning precariously, and about to fall right in front of the garage entrance. Another little nudge, and the heavy metal might topple and tear through part of the darn entrance, blocking the way of cars on Monday.
And she’s snarling at me?
“What does it look like I’m doing?” she snaps. “I was trying to get gas, but I swerved because there was a bear or something in the road.”
To be fair, my shop is built out of an old, abandoned gas station from the 1950s. Uncle Kent and I kept the old pumps for the look. I’ve made them shine though, and had overhead lights installed, for curb appeal. I glance behind me, though, at the massive, yellow sign reading Zac’s Auto Repair.
I sort of thought that would be a giveaway it’s not a working station.
“A bear?” I ask, incredulously
“Yes, something huge with fur was in the road, so I swerved.” She points at the road.
I catch sight of a ringed tail before it disappears into the pitch entirely. I can’t help it, but I laugh. “That’s a raccoon. Wow, I’m surprised you escaped with your life.”
She glares at me. “Look, I’m sorry, but it seemed bigger.”
“So naturally you smash into buildings after.”
At that she hops out of the
car, ready to battle, I guess. “The lighting here is a nightmare.” She takes in a scrunched headlight and scratched up car and groans. “Great. Now, I have to pay damages.”
With a furious glance, as if it’s my fault, she grumbles under her breath and gets behind the wheel again.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to be on my way.”
Is she crazy? Maybe she hit her head and I ought to call an ambulance or something. “Uh, you’re just going to drive away after causing damage to a piece of property?”
“I’ll send a check for the repairs.” Her voice shakes, but I don’t feel that sorry. Not when she drags her eyes over me once and looks at me like I’m garbage. I might not be looking my best, might be a little tipsy, but Miss High and Mighty can take a step down, thank you very much.
I will admit when she tries to start the car and it sputters, then fails, I feel a bit of pleasure.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she snarls and leans her head against the steering wheel. “I don’t have time for this.”
I try to hide my grin. Not that hard, but a little. “It’s not starting?”
“Very observant.”
I take a deep breath. My uncle would tell me to be a man and you help when you can help. Unfortunately, I know how to help with cars.
I pop the hood without her permission and take a look. “I can guess the problem.”
“A hick that has a brain.”
Wow. I can’t do much but stare at her. If I say something it’ll be nasty. My blood feels hot in my head when I slam the hood shut.
She bites her bottom lip and admittedly looks a little ashamed. “Sorry I . . .” She shakes her head. “Can you fix it?”
She deserves to have her mouth washed out. I’m tired, sore, tipsy, and my knight in shining armor attitude puts in for early retirement. I don’t think too much of the damsel.
I do force a smile, though. If she weren’t so downright nasty, I wouldn’t mind stepping a little closer. She smells like lilacs. I note the files stacked on her front seat, they look medical-like.
