Comfort Side Of Heaven

by Vera Quinn

  “What if there are no sons? What if they are all daughters?” My dad laughs.

  “Son, in our family, the boys far outnumber the girls, but if that occurrence did happen it would be the first grandson. Are you going to able to handle it if Hawkins makes the Fourth all about him and Talia?” I give it some thought. I didn’t feel that stab-in-the-heart feeling when Dad mentioned Talia and Hawkins. I am over it.

  “It’ll be fine, but it doesn’t mean that if he keeps interrupting everything else that I won’t throw him in the pool.” Then a thought comes to me. “You know after the festivities are over and everything is back to normal, instead of buying one of those homes, we could make the pool house a temporary home for them. It has a kitchenette, a big bathroom and bedroom. Their living area may be a bit small, but they could have their privacy. Mom just replaced the washer and dryer out there too.”

  “That is a great idea and I’ll discuss it with your mom. That may be the answer to the problem.” Dad likes it. “Anything else you need to talk about because my talk box is tired and my brain hurts. Your brother is more than likely at the house by now. Let’s go face the storm.” I laugh. My dad is so full of it. I think Mom and Dad need a little time to talk to Hawkins and Talia alone first.

  “I am going to drop you off and then ride out to check the herd like we were supposed to do. It will give you, Mom, Hawkins, and Talia time to say your hellos and say whatever you need to, without you thinking about me and my feelings. I will be back as soon as I check the cattle.” I know it’s because I just need a minute, but I know Dad does too.

  “Sounds like a plan but don’t be too long.” I start the truck that we never made it out of and head back to the house. It doesn’t take long, and Dad is out of the truck and I am headed to the back of our property where the cattle are grazing. Just one more day and I get to see Lyric.

  Chapter Twenty

  Lyric/Sage…

  Ever since I told Dolly Hillhouse I would attend her family barbeque I have been on pins and needles. I am riding with Haddie and Nick and I am going to make Botie sit down and talk to me and figure out where we went wrong on our first date. I want a redo. I know the things Botie said were uncalled for, but I said some awful things too. I need to take my responsibility in the argument and he needs to take his. I need to apologize and so does he and then we need to talk. I am going to make sure that happens today because I can’t get the man out of mind or my heart. We either need to solve this or walk away from each other and I don’t think I would ever be the same if all we do is walk away, call it quits and never settle this between us. We had a horrible fight but we both need to act like adults and talk it out.

  I have dressed and redressed. I can’t make my mind up. I have finally settled on a red sundress with some simple sandals. I went with minimal makeup because that’s the way I always wear it. I thought I would have my best friend here today for moral support, but Zane had to bail on me. I understand, he has his own life. I get downstairs and I go and take out my potato salad, banana pudding, and fruit salad. I put them in the basket I am carrying them in, and then I get the other basket full of the yeast rolls I made. Dolly said they had plenty but to bring what I wanted. Haddie has some things made too. If I could get these butterflies out of my stomach, I would feel better. I hear the horn honk and I know my ride is here. Nick is driving his brand-new SUV so we have plenty of room. I am still trying to talk him into selling me his old truck, but he isn’t ready to let it go yet. I’ll wear him down.

  I open the kitchen door and Nick is standing there to help me get my things into his vehicle. Nick takes the baskets and I set the alarm I had installed. I walk over and get in the back seat and shut the door. I put my seat belt on and I notice my hands are sweating.

  “That food in those baskets smells good. Are those rolls I smell?” Nick asks me. I know he is making small talk to try and calm me down. Everyone knows how nervous I am.

  “He said the same thing about my cobbler,” Haddie chimes in.

  “You smell right, Nick. It’s the yeast rolls I made this morning and your cobbler does smell delicious. Is it peach?” I answer.

  “Peach it is,” Haddie says and then her and Nick go on talking and I listen, and we are there far too soon for me. We pull into the driveway and this place is beautiful. This is my first time here and the trees and shrubbery are beautiful, and I see the big tent on the east side of the house. I get out and the first person I see coming our way is Trask. I grab both my baskets, but Trask is shaking his head no.

  “Set them down, beautiful. I need a hug to make sure you are really here.” I put the baskets down on the ground beside me and Trask walks straight up to me and gives me the biggest hug and then lifts me up and hugs me some more. I start to laugh and then he sets me down on my feet. “You’re really here. Botie is going to be so happy and I am pretty happy too.” I laugh at that too.

  “I’m glad you’re happy to see me, and I hope Botie is too. I need to talk to him before this all starts. I want to apologize and get a redo.” That makes Trask smile.

  “You love him as much as he loves you. I knew it. Let me have those baskets and I will give them to Dolly. You go in the front door and the office is the second door on the right. He’s in there talking to Hawkins and I know you will make his day.” I hope Trask is right and he gives me the hope I need to do this now.

  “Are you sure I should interrupt Botie while he’s with his brother?” I know that is an important conversation.

  “Believe me, he will welcome the interruption.” Trask makes a face as he says it that makes me laugh but I don’t hesitate. I walk through the front door and I see an older version of Botie. “Hello, I’m Lyric, and Trask told me to come on in and that Botie is in his office.” The man looks me up and down and then smiles the same smile Botie has.

  “It is very nice to meet you, Lyric, and I am glad that I finally get to meet you. Botie and my wife speak highly of you and I am delighted you made it today. I am Botie’s dad, Joseph. Botie has been talking to Hawkins and Talia but I am sure he is ready for a break. I’ll show you the office, I was just coming to get them.” Joseph walks up to me and puts my arms in his and leads me the short way to the door. We both hear raised voices and see the door is cracked open. Joseph puts his finger up to his lips letting me know to be quiet. He pushes the door quietly to open it a little wider, so we could hear more clearly, and no one on the inside would notice us. I don’t feel right doing this, but Joseph will not let me slip my arm away from his. I just stay still.

  “No Hawkins, you left here, and you are not coming back as a full partner. I run this ranch and that brother, you can’t change.” I hear Botie say and I can hear the anger in his voice.

  “I am as much a part of this ranch as you are. I am my parent’s son, just like you are, and you can’t change that.” I guess Hawkins says back. I ask Joseph if that is Hawkins without saying a word but just mouthing the words and he nods his head.

  “I don’t want to change it Hawkins. Don’t you understand that? I love you and so do our parents but when you left, and Dad was down with his heart, I took on the responsibility of this ranch and I put in the hours to bring us up to date and keep everything running or we would have gone broke. I also helped with Dad and tried to help Mom. Dad gave me full partnership because of it, and I still keep things going. Dad can’t do the work, so this ranch is my life and I will never walk away from it. If Dad decided to give you his fifty percent then we will need to work together, but Dad said he wasn’t doing that. My fifty percent stays with me. I earned it with hard work and sacrifice.” Botie is upset but he is calm.

  “Is this how you’re going to get back at me because I took Talia?” I want to yell at Hawkins to shut up. Joseph is pissed too and then I feel someone behind us and I look, and see Dolly. We crowd in and continue to invade the privacy of Botie and his brother.

  “I told you last night that I have gotten over that. I want to let it go and move on with my life
,” Botie answers.

  “With the little heiress that Branton told me about? Do you want me to believe that it’s just a coincidence that the two things happened at the same time? Get another woman under you before you let go of the woman in your past?” I am beginning to dislike Hawkins. I hear something crash and we all jump.

  “Do not ever talk about Lyric that way or I will break you in half! Brother or no brother, no one speaks that way about the woman I love.” I feel the tears in my eyes. Botie loves me.

  “Let him go Botie!” A woman yells. I look at Dolly and she mouths Talia. “You don’t love that woman! You are mine!” I don’t know who stiffens the most, Dolly, Joseph, or me.

  “What the hell did you say woman?” Hawkins yells.

  “I think you might need to explain that to both of us, Talia. I can assure you that I do love Lyric.” Botie doesn’t waver. It takes a minute before anything else is said.

  “The reason I wanted to come back to the ranch is because I think we should come to an arrangement between the three of us. I love you both and it is killing me to be without both of you in my life. I want both of you in my bed.” That’s the last thing I remember before I push the door open and go straight to Talia and step in front of the chair she is sitting in and get in her face.

  “I don’t know you but whatever twisted things you have going on in your head is not happening. Botie is my man and I love him, and he has said he loves me. That means there is no you in his life. Do you get that? He is not some kind of pawn in your games and he won’t be here for you to have any kind of arrangement with because he is moving into my house until you are gone. You want a fight, then I will give it to you.” I feel hands on my waist and a tugging. I want to resist but I would know that cologne anywhere. I turn and Botie pulls me in his arms and kisses me on my head and cheeks and then finally my lips and it feels like coming home. I love this man. He pulls away from me and I am breathless again.

  “You love me? I love you and I can’t get you out of my head or my heart. I am so sorry, please forgive me. I accept your offer to move in with you as long as you know it’s permanent. Are you sure that’s what you want?” Botie is saying everything so fast and kissing my face and head.

  “I do love you and I am sorry too. I accept your apology, but we need to talk, and I would love for it to be permanent.” I am crying but they are happy tears.

  “Well isn’t that all sweet and everything, but I still want the arrangement and you, dearie need to get out of my house and leave my family to me,” Talia speaks up. Joseph clears his throat and Dolly is standing there with her hand on her hip and she looks like one mad mama. Dolly looks at her husband and I glance at Hawkins and he looks amused. He knew what Talia was up to.

  “I have this Joseph,” Dolly says and then she cuts her eyes to Talia. “This is my house, not yours, and Lyric is welcome here anytime. She has morals and knows what a family is all about.” Dolly takes a breath. “When you caused the trouble in this family before, I never judged you, I didn’t like you much but that is my opinion. I bit my tongue, so we wouldn’t lose Hawkins, but I can tell you now, if I ever hear your mouth say the things you just did again, you are out. I will be the one taking the garbage to the road and another thing you will never wear Nana’s ring. It is Botie’s by law since it was willed to my oldest son and by our family.” Dolly looks at Botie. “You never need to leave your home for anyone, but I think you moving in with Lyric is an excellent idea and one you will have no problems with.”

  “As soon as this is over, I will be packing my things, but I still think it would be better for Hawkins and Talia to stay in the pool house,” Botie tells his mom.

  “Why does Botie have a say in where either Talia or I sleep? Talia has been in this family for years and this little snippet of a girl isn’t even family and you take her side of things. Where is family loyalty?” Dolly puts her hand on her hip again.

  “Let me give you a few facts son that you seem to have forgotten. When Botie earned half of the ranch that included our home. We are no longer indebted to the bank and as soon as we had the title to all the land and the house, we added his name to the titles. He owns half this house along with everything else. In the wills we had drawn up the two of you will split the other half except the house which goes to Botie. He is also left as the manager of the property and you can only sell to him or forfeit your portion. In the case of forfeiture, we set aside money to compensate you.” Dolly looks at Joseph. “In fact, if one of us passes before the other Botie is in charge from that day forward. Talia doesn’t have the Hillhouse name and even if she gets it now, she inherits nothing. Our loyalty is to our family and the people that make our family happy and it seems Talia can’t do that with either of our sons. If she tries anything with your Dad, her and I will go to fist city.” Dolly is serious. “It’s the pool house for the both of you and Hawkins, if you are staying here you will work here. I will be making out your list of things to do every day and Talia if you don’t get a job in town the same goes for you, and you will stay away from Botie or you can leave now.” That takes the wind out of Hawkins.

  “Let’s go to my room and talk,” Botie whispers in my ear. “Mom, Dad, we are going to have a talk and then we’ll be outside.” Dolly glances our way, but she is still too pissed to respond.

  “Alright son, we will finish up in here and then lock the door. You have your new key?” Joseph asks Botie.

  “I do. Later, Hawkins.” Hawkins doesn’t answer Botie. Botie pulls me out of the room and we head for the stairs. As we walk up the first two stairs, we hear the door slam and then loud muffled voices. I am glad to be out of there. It doesn’t take us long to get to Botie’s room and I don’t know what to expect. Botie opens the door and pulls me into the room and his lips are on mine and I am lost in feeling, touching, tasting and my breath is taken away.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Botie…

  I can’t believe Lyric tastes just the way I remember—sweeter than honey—and I want to take her to my bed and kiss every damn inch of her, but I also need her to know I respect her. Damn, I had this planned out. I pull myself away from her.

  “Why did you stop? I want you, Botie. That may make me shameless, but I don’t care. I WANT YOU!” Lyric doesn’t realize she is tempting a starving man. I am as hard as stone and I crave to be inside of Lyric’s tight body, but it’s called control. I’m not some horny teenage boy. Horny, yes. Teenage, no. I can control myself.

  “No, I mean yes, but not now.” Lyric looks confused and I feel confused, but I have an idea. I take Lyric’s hand and lead her to the bed and she sits down, but I don’t sit beside her instead I kneel in front of her. “Please, listen to me Lyric this is important.”

  “Alright,” Lyric agrees.

  “I am so sorry for the awful things I said the other night. I should have dealt with Hawkins before I spoke about him and Talia. That’s all bad on my part and I profusely apologize. It will never happen again, on my life,” I promise.

  “I already forgave you, Botie. You said you were wrong, and you apologized. That’s all I need if it never happens again.” Lyric is too sweet. “I apologize too, and I am sorry, and I hope you can forgive me.”

  “Already done. You see Lyric, you have become so precious and important to me. Your name is so suited for you. Lyric means amazing, smart, fun, and beautiful and the love of my life and I think that is the exact thing you are—no I don’t think it—I feel it in my heart. Sage is the wise one which you are beyond your years. I want you in my life for now and forever. I want you as my girl, my woman, my love, and one day my wife. I want us to live together, work on working out all our kinks, and next year on the Fourth of July we will marry here in my parent’s yard. I know I sound crazy and we might come to a kink in the road and we go separate ways, but it won’t be because we didn’t try. Will you marry me in one year?” I see the tears running down Lyric’s cheeks. “I don’t want us to make love until our wedding night. I don�
�t want our relationship built on sex; I want it built with nothing but love and respect. That’s what will get us through the rough spots.”

  “I didn’t know my cowboy was such a sweet talker. I don’t think we need to wait to make love though. I am sure I am ready for that part now.” Lyric is red in the face and half laughing. “I am willing to wait and work on us first because in the end, I know I will have you. So yes, I’ll marry you in a year.” I jump up off my knee and Lyric is in my arms and we are kissing. I know waiting is the way to go for us, but it’s going to be a long hard year since I intend to be sleeping in Lyric’s bed every night. I pull back from Lyric and take her hand and lead us out of the room and down the stairs. I check the office door and it’s locked. I pull Lyric outside and find my mom. I go up to her and whisper in her ear and she smiles and goes back in the house. I walk in the middle of the patio where all the refreshments are, and I grab two glasses of lemonade and give one to Lyric. She looks confused. I whistle to get everyone’s attention. Trask, Dad, Nick, and Haddie walk back over to us and everyone is looking at us. I see Hawkins and Talia to my right and to the back of the crowd, but they make their way closer. Mom walks up to me and puts the thing I asked for in my hand.

  “Now that everyone is here, I have a big and happy announcement to make. I have asked this beautiful woman, Lyric Sage Dade to become my wife one year from today and she accepted. I am one lucky man and I am giving her my family ring to seal the engagement and I know this is just on loan until I can get to the jewelry store on Monday.” I look at my mom and wink. I go down on my knee again and slip the ring on her finger. I get up and take her in my arms and then face her. “I just hope she never comes to her good senses, cheers everyone.” We drink our lemonade and this is the happiest day of my life.