Page 106 of On the Rocks
She shrugged, adjusting herself in my lap. “Because you’re making one of my dreams come true,” she whispered. “I want to make one of yours come true, too.”
I swore, if any of my brothers could feel the way my heart melted at her words, they’d punch me in the arm and call me the biggest wuss in the world.
But I didn’t care.
When it came to Ruby Grace, Iwasthe biggest wuss in the world.
“You already did,” I whispered back, brushing her hair from her face. “I dreamed of finding a woman like you, of finding a love like this.” I smirked. “And here you are.”
“Here I am,” she said, giggling. Then, she rolled her hips, eliciting a sharp inhale from me as she painted on a face of innocence. “So, what do we do now?”
“Oh, I can think of a few things,” I said, devouring her lips and pulling her back down into the bean bag.
“I thought you needed water. And a protein bar. Andat least thirty minutes,” she teased.
“Shut up and let me make love to you.”
She giggled louder when I flipped her over, kissing her neck and pinning her arms above her head. And for the rest of the night, and well into the morning, we sealed our promises with every inch of our bodies, with every ounce of our souls, with every beat of our hearts.
When you hear the wordTennessee, what do you think of?
Maybe your first thought is country music. Maybe you can even see those bright lights of Nashville, hear the different bands as their sounds pour out of the bars and mingle in a symphony in the streets. Maybe you think of Elvis, of Graceland, of Dollywood and countless other musical landmarks. Maybe you feel the prestige of the Grand Ole Opry, or the wonder of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Maybe you feel the history radiating off Beale Street in Memphis.
Or maybe you think of the Great Smoky Mountains, of fresh air and hiking, of majestic sights and long weekends in cabins. Maybe you can close your eyes and see the tips of those mountains capped in white, can hear the call of the Tennessee Warbler, can smell the fresh pine and oak.
Maybe, like I used to, you think of whiskey.
But after that summer, Tennessee only conjured up one thing in my mind.
A girl.
No, awoman.
One who flipped my entire world upside down in just six weeks’ time. One who gave Stratford the biggest scandal they’d seen since the distillery fire. One who would change the world — because she was destined to do so.
And one I knew I’d spend my forever with.
What a lucky sonofabitch.
Noah -Four Months Later
“Thank you again for having me over for Thanksgiving,” Ruby Grace said to Mom as she helped clear the table. “And for having it a little earlier in the day on my behalf.”
“Are you kidding?” Mom asked, stacking plates. “I’ve been the only woman at this table for years. It was a blessing to have someone else to help wrangle these heathens.”
“Hey,” Logan said with mock offense.
“Besides, you’re family now,” Mom continued, pausing long enough to smile at Ruby Grace genuinely. “And we’re all so proud of you for chasing your dream.”
My heart swelled at that, because it was true. My brothers had adopted Ruby Grace like she was the sister they never had, and Mom was happier than I had seen her in years when Ruby Grace was around — even if it was just for dinner or an after-church lunch. She hadn’t just filledmylife with light and love, but my entire family’s. And now, on my favorite holiday, it was almost impossible to fend off emotions watching her clear the table with my mom.
Today was the day Ruby Grace would start her drive across the country to serve her first full-year term in AmeriCorps.
It was hard to believe the day had finally come, that in less than an hour, my girl would slide into the driver seat of her loaded-up convertible and head out west to Utah. My chest had been tight all day with the effort it took to fight off tears, but I swore to myself that I wouldn’t cry — no matter how much I would miss her.
Because this was her dream, and I stood by my word that I’d help her achieve it.
“Are we excused?” Mikey asked from the end of the table.