Page 28

Royal

Royal couldn’t believe it’d only been a year since he’d wandered into Windeville as he stood on the balcony of the new banquet room at the Cedar Pines Bed and Breakfast. It was one of the many renovations Mrs. Pearl had made to accommodate the influx of tourists.

The sharp cold nipped at Royal’s cheeks as he marveled at the brilliance of the first annual New Year’s festival.

The streets were dusted with snow and lined with twinkling lights that made everything in the old town appear shiny and new. Royal glanced up at the towering mountains, the scent of pine and fresh fallen snow filling his lungs never got old.

The town square had been transformed into a winter wonderland with a dash of enchantment. The massive Christmas tree that was a staple during the holidays was now adorned with white and gold ornaments and hundreds of dancing lights. A brand-new archway Stone and his crew had built stretched from one side of the street to the other and was decorated with gold garlands, evergreen boughs and mistletoe.

A string quartet played in front of the fountain, near the frozen lake that was now an ice rink, all ringing with the sounds of singing and laughter that made the town come to life.

There was a town dinner planned in a few minutes, but Royal’s stomach was already growling. He wondered if he had time to jet over to Mr. MacElroy’s stand for some of his honey-roasted pecans.

Royal waved at the many friends who glanced up at him. Some were warming themselves around the fire pits scattered about the square, others were moving through the market wearing New Years top hats and blowing noise makers.

The life Royal thought was only real in cheesy Hallmark movies was one he was actually living. A rush of gratitude filled his heart as strong arms wrapped around him from behind and the welcome tickle of a soft beard grazed his neck.

“Hey,” Stone murmured, breaking into his thoughts. “What are you doing out here besides freezing?”

“I’m not freezing anymore.” Royal nestled closer into Stone’s heat.

“You’ve been so quiet.” Stone kissed his throat.

“I’m just thinking…”

“About…”

“About how much has changed in me. A year ago I was…”

Royal struggled to find the words. How could he explain his transformation from a greedy corporate android, to who he was in Stone’s arms.

“I didn’t know what the hell I was doing when I came here, or what I wanted. But now, standing here, looking out at the place that saved my life…my home. I just can’t believe it.”

Stone squeezed him tighter, his solid presence grounding him like always. The sounds of the festival faded as he turned and rested his cheek on Stone’s chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat through his thick sweater.

“This town didn’t save you, Royal. You were already a gorgeous, strong, brilliant man, but you were trapped in a place that didn’t deserve you.” Stone kissed his forehead. “You came just in time and saved us , baby…not the other way around.”

Royal was speechless.

“Look out there.”

He turned and watched the children, the town laughing and celebrating with the hundreds of tourists who’d come to enjoy one of the several festivals they’d have this year.

“A year ago after the winter storm, all of us felt like there was no coming back from that disaster, we were walking around hopeless, with our heads down in defeat.”

Royal closed his eyes. Oh, he remembered all right.

“And you were the only one with the strength to fight. You went back into the belly of the beast and you came out victorious. You helped rebuild Windeville, bigger and better than it was before. All of this, the festivals, the new businesses, you made it happen, baby.”

Royal glanced up and saw the pride in Stone’s eyes.

“We actually have a fuckin Starbucks…I mean come on.” Stone winked. “And you know how glad I was when we got our own Ace Hardware.”

Royal rolled his eyes. “Yeah my ass felt how happy you were for an entire month.”

Stone hugged him closer and growled against his throat. “I’m not near done thanking you either.”

“Okay you two, enough already. Pastor Shaun is ready to say the blessing, dinner’s about to be served.”

Mrs. Pearl was shaking her head at them like she always did when they were all over each other. But tonight she had a mischievous glint in her eyes that made him suspicious.

Stone raised an eyebrow. “What are you looking so cute about?”

“Oh nothing.” She grinned, beckoning for them to hurry.

Royal walked back into the dining room and the smell of his favorite baked rolls and roasted venison made his stomach growl.

The conversations in the dining room had been loud and boisterous when he’d been on the balcony, now everyone was eyeing him, and murmuring in hushed tones.

“What in the world is up with you guys?” Stone grumbled before he pulled Royal’s chair out at their table.

“Royal, oh my lord, honey is that you?”

His ass almost missed the chair and he would’ve hit the floor if it wasn’t for Stone’s quick reflexes.

After all the years of silence, as if he were still ten years old, he recognized her gentle voice.

“Mom,” Royal gasped, scanning the room.

Stone turned him towards the doors.

She rushed towards him with her arms outstretched, his father moving a bit slower behind her.

Her eyes shone with unshed tears and Royal opened his arms as shock, joy and relief slammed into his chest.

“Look at you,” she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug.

His father stood beside her with a faint but proud smile tugging his lips.

Royal could feel the emotion bubbling and threating to spill over any second. He stared in disbelief.

He could’t believe how much they’d aged, but the love and affection in their gazes was still there, timeless compassion bringing back a rush of memories.

His mother’s hair was all silver and cropped short, and his dad’s posture was a bit more stooped, but his warm brown eyes and kind smile could still light up the room.

His father squeezed his shoulder while his mom held him tight, refusing to let go.

“What are you guys doing here?” he choked out.

“Mayor Rebekkah is a good friend of your mother’s, son. She called and said we had to come and see what you’ve done here. See the lives you’ve touched.”

And there went the tears as people stood and clapped for him.

Royal hadn’t noticed his baby brother, and when he did, he thought the tears would never end.

“Cam,” Royal said around a watery laugh. “Shit, you’re huge now.”

His brother laughed and stepped in for a hug. “It’s great to see you, bro. We missed you man.”

Royal squeezed his little brother until he grunted. He thought they’d all washed their hands of him. His mother had responded to his letters and sent him greeting cards on the holidays but he’d never called them, afraid of getting the cold shoulder.

He couldn’t understand why everyone was clapping for him. He’d only done what he was good at, and that was make money and good investments. Royal supposed he still wasn’t used to people appreciating it yet.

The town had pulled together and done this for him.

Stone, ever the quiet strength standing behind him, stuck his hand out towards his father, giving a respectful nod. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Royal wiped at his tears. “Mom, Dad, this is my fiancé, Beauregard Stone.”

“Call him Stone! Don’t you dare call him Bo or Royal will slap your lips off!” Arthur, Stone’s best friend yelled from the other side of the room.

Royal’s exclusive privilege of calling Stone, Bo, was a running joke in the town.

The room erupted in laughter and Stone threw the guy he’d asked to be his best man a hard glare.

His mom giggled as she covered her mouth. “Married…you’re getting married?”

“Taking the vows. It’s about damn time, bro, what are you like sixty now?” Cameron smirked.

“I’m forty-five, smart ass. Only eight years older than you.” Royal rolled his eyes, a wide grin stretching his mouth.

It was obvious Cameron was still the same baby brother who loved to rib him. Royal was so overwhelmed he could hardly express what he wanted to say. He needed a minute.

“I hope you guys can stay for a while.” Royal glanced around for Mrs. Pearl, “I’ll pay for your rooms. Please don’t say you have to leave soon.”

“It’s all taken care of, Royal,” the Mayor said.

“Bro, I can work from anywhere that has Wi-Fi. I’m not leaving until after you folks’ Lobster festival in June. I hear the lobster rolls are so good that you gotta make reservations like six months in advance.” Cameron rubbed his hands together.

“Lobsters as big as my head,” Big Hank added.

“Hank.” Jojo stood on her chair, “Why the heck is everything you harvest as big as your damn head?”

There was so much raucous laughter it sounded as if they were in a comedy club.

Royal clutched his chest. This was his family…his life, his world.

When the noise died down he turned to Mrs. Pearl who was standing with the mayor and other town officials.

“I can’t believe you all did this. How did you keep this a secret?”

“Probably because they didn’t let Aimee and Edna know.” Stone laughed.

“Hey.” Edna’s head shot up from behind Hank’s.

The teasing and joyfulness increased tenfold in the room anytime Stone laughed. No one was fully used to it yet. It was still a rare delight to see it after so many years.

“Let’s toast to Royal and Stone!” The Mayor raised her champagne flute “To a perfect match. Your wedding will be the grandest festival this town has ever seen!”

After another long round of cheers and applause,

Royal lifted his glass and wrapped his other arm around his fiancé’s waist.

“Here’s to a new year for Windeville. May it be filled with joy, growth, and prosperity.” He glanced towards his parents and little brother, then added, “Cheers to family, love and unforgettable memories.”

Everyone raised their glasses high.

“Cheers! Happy New Year!”

The End