Page 9

Chapter 9

Henry

Some things are meant to be.

I tried to get Jack’s sweet words out of my head, but they ran through on a loop, making it really hard to tell my heart to settle its ass down.

“You want a drink?” I asked as we headed into the Roadhouse. I wanted to check on a few things even though it was technically my day off.

“Are we staying here or going somewhere else?” Jack asked.

“’Bout twenty minutes here, then we can go walk the property. You can meet Hudson and Dad. Lance is probably around too.”

“Can I have one of those lemon drop thingies?”

I frowned and gave Jack an elbow. “As long as you take a peach cider to go.”

“Fine.” He pretended to pout. “You and your peaches.”

After making his lemon drop, I checked the register, did a quick inventory, and chatted with Sam for a bit. By the time I finished, Jack had polished off his drink and was talking to Kayla.

I poured us both peach ciders in frosty mason jar glasses and handed one to Jack. We said quick goodbyes to Sam and Kayla, I waved at a few of the regulars, and we headed out the door. I knew eyes were on us as we left, but Jack needed to meet my family before the townsfolk got their questions answered. And even then, it would be up to Jack if he wanted to answer any questions. Although, if he was going to be baking cakes at the Roadhouse, it would be best if he was friendly with the folks in town.

As we walked, I pointed out different businesses, where certain people lived, and points of interest in our small town. Jack asked questions, mentioned things he’d noticed about the people and places in town, and sipped his cider.

It made me sad to think about how lonely he’d been in the time he’d been sleeping out back and roaming Haven Grove when he first got to town. No wonder he spent so much time at the bar back then.

Jack lifted his chin toward a group of kids near the gas station. “That kid with the floppy red curls and the one with the frizzy black hair.”

“Yeah?”

“They’re the ones who were making a mess of your trash.”

Shit.

“Of course, they are,” I grumbled.

“Who are they?” Jack’s wide eyes glowed with curiosity .

“Preacher’s grandkid is the red head. The other one is the son of one of the guys on the town council who should have stepped down a long time ago.” I sighed. “They aren’t bad kids, and their fathers aren’t terrible in general, I guess.”

“But?” Jack pushed.

I shrugged. “Preacher isn’t someone I talk to a lot. He tends to steer every conversation toward just how sinful the Riggs family is. But I think that’s his usual pattern with most people.”

“What? That’s a load of shit. How is your family any of his business?” Jack took a long swig of his peach cider, kicked at a rock on the dusty ground, and swayed just a bit into my path. “No family is really his business unless he’s helping to provide care for them.”

“Yeah, he’s not. He’s more in the business of judging others, collecting money, and skewing the words of his favorite book to condemn folks around town.” My words reminded me just how much I despised talking to Pastor Larry, and now I’d have to have a chat with him about his grandson, Randy. The pastor wasn’t the worst of the worst, but I could think of at least fifty people in town I’d rather talk to before I talked to him.

Jack huffed. “Sorry, I’m not really religious. I guess I’m more spiritual than anything. Like, I believe someone, or something created all of this.” He gestured broadly with a wild arc. “How could you not? But the churches I’ve had any contact with didn’t give me good vibes. They were definitely more on the cultish side of things if I’m being honest. And not at all open and welcoming. Most of the people gave me the creeps. Joseph and Douglas were some of the worst people in the world, but they judged others up one side and down the other and thought they themselves could do no wrong—and the church seemed to back them up.”

“I get that. Dad and Lance grew up with pretty religious parents, going to church, all that. But when Dad and Mom got pregnant with me, both sets of grandparents disowned them. Too worried about what the church might think. So, Hudson and I didn’t really do the whole church thing when we were younger because Dad was done with it. I’m more like you though. I’m fairly spiritual in that I believe there’s a higher power, but I have no interest in being involved with people who wear a smile while they exclude and shun whole groups in the name of God.”

“Looking back on my time with Joseph and Chrissy, it pisses me off that not a single person at the church we went to ever stepped in to help me. Joseph kept most of his shit out of the public eye—like no one would have seen bruises on me at school—but he was terrible at church. And everyone there was so busy trying to make the right connections, raise the most money, and pop out the most kids, no one paid a lick of attention to me.” Jack pulled his collar up to press it between his lips, and I wanted to pummel the people who made his life so traumatic that he’d picked up the anxious habit. “If just one person had really seen me and tried to help…” He chewed the collar for a second—never leaving it wet or wrinkled, just a movement that seemed to calm his anxiety. “But Joseph would have gone after them—he used to laugh about the people who tried to go up against him and how he’d ruin them. ”

“I’m sorry no one helped you,” I said. “You didn’t deserve that.”

We were quiet for a bit before Jack spoke again. “Sorry, I just get worked up about church stuff. I’m sure there are a lot of people who go to church who are amazing. But people passing judgement when they have absolutely no right just goes straight to my gut.” He sighed. “Tell me about your family.”

I took the change in subject. “So, Hudson lives in the farmhouse closest to the Juicy Peach, and Dad lives in the one on the far end of the orchard,” I explained from our stopping point between the two old farmhouses. “Hudson offered to let me have the house, but it makes more sense for me to live above the bar.”

We climbed the steps to Hudson’s door and knocked.

No answer.

“He’s probably at the shop or in the orchard. The peaches are his babies. Which is kinda funny because he was never super attached to the orchard when we were growing up, but it got thrust on him when our uncle died, and we both knew our dad wasn’t in the right frame of mind to take it over. So, it landed on Hudson, and he’s really taken to it. Our uncle almost let the orchard go belly-up, but Hudson’s been working his ass off to save this season’s crop and the trees as a whole.”

As we headed toward the back of Hudson’s place and made our way to the orchard, Jack stopped.

“Wow,” he whispered. “This is gorgeous. I’ve seen the edges of the tree rows, but I hadn’t seen it from this view.”

Standing next to him as we both finished our ciders, I bumped my shoulder into his. “Yeah, it’s pretty amazing.” The sinking sun painted a mix of oranges and pinks, and thin clouds spread across the pale blue sky like wisps of cotton.

“Looks like it goes on forever, like an ocean of trees.” Jack breathed in deeply of the earthy scents of green grass, leaves, and ripening fruit. “And it smells so good.”

“I’m gonna make a peach lover out of you yet.” I took the empty mason jar from Jack’s hand and placed both our glasses on a tree stump. “Come on, let’s find my brother.”

“You guys are close?” Jack asked, weaving a tiny bit as we made our way down the sloping hill.

“We are. Kinda had to be after Mom left. It wasn’t like Dad expected me to take care of Hudson—not like it was totally my responsibility—but it’s just what I do. Making sure he was safe and taken care of was the most important thing to me, even as a kid.”

Jack stumbled over a clump of grass and nearly went down, but I caught his elbow. “You okay?”

He giggled. “Yeah. I think I might be slightly buzzed.”

Shit.

“Do you want to sit down?” Hell, I hadn’t thought about him having two drinks. Neither was super strong, but two together was probably enough to have someone Jack’s size feeling it.

“No, I’m good. I’m not drunk, just kinda tipsy. If I sit down, I’ll probably want to sleep.”

“We’ll get you some water. Hudson probably has some.” We continued down the gentle decline.

“Hudson’s lucky to have you taking care of him,” Jack said. “But I still wanna know who takes care of you. ”

I ignored his words, and I could tell Jack knew I was brushing him off, but he let it go. “You’ve seen Hudson and Lance in the Roadhouse, right?”

Jack nodded. “I’ve seen your dad and them a few times. You and Hudson are definitely brothers in that related but not identical way.”

I chuckled. “He’s the Travis to my Jason.”

Jack’s brows drew together. “Huh?”

“The famous football player brothers? The younger brother is the one everyone thinks is hot, and the older one is just the nice guy?”

Jack shook his head.

“The Clint to his Ron?” I tried again, although it was an even more obscure reference, but maybe he was a movie buff.

Jack’s face was blank.

“Come on, the Howard brothers?”

Again, nothing.

“I’m the William to his Harry?”

Recognition lit Jack’s face. “So, you were the attractive one when you were younger, and then he went and got hot as you both got older?”

I ran a hand over my beard to hide my smile. “Something like that, I guess.”

Jack cocked his head. “But not really because you’re still really handsome. Hudson is hot, but he’s no better looking than you.”

Luckily, we reached the trees because I wasn’t sure how to answer that. No one in their right mind would ever think Hudson was no better looking than me. I had no issues with how I looked, but I knew my brother was considered more attractive by most. We were both broad, but he had more of a jockish otter vibe while I was definitely more on the bear side. Hudson wasn’t super hairy, and his hair was lighter, but I had a full beard along with a hairier dad bod.

Hudson was more likely to catch second glances long before me.

But my gut flip-flopped at Jack’s words.

With row upon row of peach trees stretching out for as far as we could see, Jack took a deep breath. “Everything smells so earthy and sweet down here.” He stepped closer to a tree. “Is it okay to touch them?” he asked, his eyes lighting up when I nodded. Reaching out, he ran a finger over a peach and gasped. “Oh my god.”

“What?”

“It’s so furry. Like it’s wearing a little fur coat.”

I couldn’t help the surprised laugh that escaped. “Yeah, I guess they are.”

“So that’s why you can’t eat the skin?”

I shook my head. “You can eat the skin. Many people just don’t care for it.”

Jack grimaced. “I don’t think I could eat their furry little coats.”

All I could do was laugh and put an arm around him. “No one will ask you to eat the skins.”

I savored the way he leaned into me and remembered how he’d cuddled against me on the couch. I’d never been one for a lot of physical affection outside of hugging my family or a good ol’ slap on the back, but for Jack, I’d dole out the touches like candy on Halloween if it was something he needed .

After a quiet moment, a loud buzzing sound filled the air. Jack and I watched as a large bee, seemingly drunk on nectar, bobbed from one tree to the next.

Jack gasped again. “I didn’t know they were real,” he whispered.

“What?”

“Bubble bees.” He pointed toward the insect.

“Say what?” I cocked my head, schooling my features.

“I didn’t know bubble bees were real, I thought they were just in movies and stuff.”

Bubble bees.

Oh.

My.

God.

This man was so damn adorable.

But also, how had he gotten to twenty-five not knowing very real insects existed outside of movies and television? My heart ached for the younger version of Jack and all the hurt he lived through.

“Yeah, bumble bees are an important part of what keeps the orchard going.”

Jack’s brow furrowed, and he wrinkled his nose. “ Bubble bees?”

I cleared my throat. “They’re actually called bumble bees.”

He scowled. “But why?”

“I don’t really know. I guess because they kinda bumble from flower to flower.” Honestly, I had no idea where the insect’s name had come from.

Jack shook his head. “No, they’re bubble bees. Look at their little butts, they look like bubbles. ”

I couldn’t even argue with him. The insect’s round little butt was shaped just like a bubble. “I mean, you’re not wrong.”

Jack shrugged. “I like bubble bees better.”

“Then bubble bees they are.”

Peaches wearing tiny fur coats and bubble-butt bubble bees.

Fuck.

What this man was doing to my damn heart had to be illegal.

We walked further into the orchard until we reached the back corner where a creek crossed the land.

“Oh my god,” Jack gasped as he moved toward an area of the creek where the water burbled over rocks. “My mom took me to a creek once before she got super sick. We played in it for hours. Wading, finding fish, crossing on rocks and logs. Living in the city after she died didn’t give me many options for creek wading—not that Joseph would have taken me anyway.” He picked up a leaf and placed it gently into the slow-moving water. When the leaf got caught in the current and sped toward the rocks, Jack grabbed my hand and squeezed. “Watch.”

And I did. Not the leaf, but the heart wrenchingly beautiful look of awe on Jack’s face as the little piece of green tumbled down the rocks and spun like a top in the swirling pool at the base of the tiny waterfall.

“Did you see it?” Jack’s bright blue eyes twinkled with mirth.

With a quick nod to clear my head, hoping not to get caught staring at the beautiful man by my side instead of watching his little leaf boat, I smiled. “I did.” I swallowed back emotions. I knew Jack didn’t want my pity, but I couldn’t quell the ache in my heart for him. “Hudson and I always loved playing in the creek. We sent hundreds of sticks and leaves down these little waterfalls. We had races, running along the banks to see whose boat would make it the farthest and fastest.”

“Let me guess,” Jack said with a soft smile, “you let Hudson win.”

I shrugged. “Maybe. It wasn’t like there was a prize. He was just a little kid, he liked to win.”

Jack squeezed my hand against. “You were just a little kid too,” he whispered. Stretching up on tiptoes, he feathered a kiss over my cheek. “You are a very good man, Henry Riggs.”

I cleared my throat and ran a hand over my beard. “It’s just what big brothers do.”

Jack shook his head. “I didn’t have siblings, so I’m not an expert, but I had an older cousin. I know for a fact he never would have let me win. Would’ve been more likely to push me in the creek, stomp on my boat, and smear mud all over my face. He delighted in seeing me cry.”

Clenching my jaw, I swallowed down the rage. “You didn’t deserve that. If I ever see that piece of shit, I’ll be sure to make sure he knows just how good and perfect you are.”

We stayed at the creek for a little longer while Jack sent a few more leaves and sticks racing through the water. When we headed to find Hudson, Jack reached for my hand again, and a soft current of electricity snapped between our bodies where our skin touched .

“Thank you,” he said, the words barely a whisper on the soft breeze blowing through the orchard.

“For what?”

He brushed a thumb over my knuckles, and I thought I’d like to hold his hand for the rest of time. “For not making fun of me.” Jack kept hold of my hand, but pressed his arm against mine and placed his other hand on the crook of my elbow.

“Why would I make fun of you?” I covered his hand on my elbow with my own, wondering how I could want so badly to wrap him up and protect him from the world.

“For my obsession with cake. For not knowing peaches have furry skin. For being so dumb about bees. For acting like a child when it comes to so many things.”

I stopped in my tracks and gripped Jack’s shoulders, moving him to face me. “Don’t ever call yourself dumb. You’re one of the smartest, bravest, most creative people I know. You lived through a traumatic childhood. Losing your mom at such a young age would have been painful enough, but the abuse and neglect you experienced during very formative years just added insult to injury.”

Jack’s eyes shimmered with tears, and his swallow was audible. “Sometimes it just feels like I missed out on so much, but then I feel like a complete fool when I find out bubble bees are real, and they aren’t even called bubble bees.”

I shook my head. “We can learn stuff together.”

Jack sniffed. “I basically mauled you when you got home, and then sat on your lap like a damn toddler.”

With his chin between my fingers, I lifted his face, so our eyes met. “There was nothing wrong with the way you greeted me.” I shrugged. “Kinda liked coming home to find someone happy to see me.” It wasn’t even a lie. I never considered myself lonely, but having Jack waiting on me to get home stirred something deep in my gut I didn’t even know had been simmering there. Brushing my thumb over his cheek, I whispered, “And cuddling on the couch is something we both enjoy. No worries there.”

I’d cuddle his touch-starved body every damn day if that’s what he needed.

Jack took a shuddery breath. “Like, I know I’m fucked up, but sometimes it’s a punch to the face, and I wonder if anyone will ever even want to get involved with me.”

“Anyone would be absurd not to,” I mumbled despite my head screaming to retreat.

“What about you?” he asked, those bright blue eyes wide and filled with hopeful desire.

“Me?”

“Would you ever want to get involved with me?”

Danger! Danger!

A protest died on my lips when Jack snaked his arms around my neck and stretched up to press a kiss to my mouth. Gentle, tentative, and hopeful, his soft lips clung to mine, and something warm and wonderful woke inside me.

“Jack…” My brain insisted I needed to let him down gently. Tell him I wasn’t the right person for him.

I was too old.

I didn’t do relationships.

He deserved more than what I could offer.

But my heart? My heart did a little victory dance and shot down every single excuse I could come up with .

“Henry,” Jack countered.

“I don’t think—” I started, but Jack kissed me again, and I lost myself to the heady warmth of our lips tangled together and the flavor of him on my tongue

When Jack pulled away, he said, “I’ve never had a relationship—nothing real, nothing beyond a few disappointing hookups that left me empty and more alone than ever before—and I know I’ve got a shit ton of issues.”

I gripped his chin and studied his face. “Are you drunk?”

Jack giggled. “No.”

I sighed. “I feel like I should tell you this is a bad idea…”

“But?” His eyes sparkled with hope.

Cupping the back of his head, I pulled him into my chest, cradling his head against me. “But even though I’ve always sworn I don’t do relationships—because I’m terrified of them—you’ve somehow worked your way into my heart, and I can’t really come up with any valid reasons to tell you no.”

“So, what does that mean?” His muffled words vibrated across my breastbone.

I groaned, clenching my eyes shut as I pressed a kiss to Jack’s pretty blond hair. “I guess it means I just broke all kinds of boss and employee rules. Shit.”

Jack giggled into my chest. “Nope. I haven’t even made you any cakes. I’m not officially an employee yet.”

“But you’re going to be. What then?” This was bad, but I couldn’t convince my heart of it.

“We have something going on before I become an employee. There’s nothing that says you can’t hire someone you’re involved with.”

I pulled back and looked into those gorgeous blue eyes. “I don’t have a lot of experience when it comes to relationships or sex.”

Jack shrugged. “I’ll take kisses and cuddles all day long before I worry about sex.”

“Do you not like sex?”

“Eh,” he said. “Sex can be good, I’m sure. I just need a connection before I can really get into it. Took me a few crappy hookups and big letdowns to figure some things out about myself, but that’s the biggest thing for me.”

“We’re in the same boat then,” I said. “We’ll figure things out together.”

Together.

Shit.

Jack and I were together.

I leaned down and feathered a kiss over Jack’s lips. He tasted of peaches, and the way his soft lips clung to mine had a punch of unexpected desire swirling in my gut.

“Better find that brother of yours before he sees us making out in the orchard.”

I chuckled and hugged him close and savored the way our bodies fit so perfectly like we were melting together. A wave of tender satisfaction washed over me. From the first day Jack walked into the Roadhouse, everything between us had been easy and right. It seemed like our connection taking a twisting turn toward something more was going to take the same easy route.

A tiny sliver of my head wanted to argue that this was a bad idea .

He’s living with you.

He’s going to work for you.

He’s so much younger than you.

But a large chunk of me sighed and relaxed into the hug. Maybe it was a bad idea. Maybe I’d end up getting my heart broken because I gave in and didn’t protect myself. As I breathed in the scent of my shampoo on Jack’s hair, I realized I was willing to take that chance.

For the first time in my life, the potential benefits of getting involved fluttered in my heart, and I didn’t hate the equally potential risk.

I’d take a chance for Jack.

I’d risk it for the man who’d shown up in town and captured my soul without even trying.

My heart erupted, tiny explosions of joy sparking in my chest as I took Jack’s hand in mine and headed to introduce my brother to the most unexpectedly important man in my life.