One of These Days (Prairie Town Book 4)

by T. E. Ridener

  “No, I wasn’t going to say that!” She laughed, wiping at her eyes quickly. “I’m just...you’re really here. This is so exciting!” As she glanced over Ryan’s shoulder, Jeb realized she was looking for someone else. “Is my mom here?”

  Ryan’s smile faded a little as he took her elbow and nodded towards the back of the barn. “Can we go somewhere a little quieter to talk?”

  “Sure. Of course.” Looking to Jeb, she smiled. “We’re going to go talk, okay?”

  “Okay.” Giving her a nod, he met her uncle’s gaze and felt his heart sink.

  The conversation they were about to have would not be an easy one.

  Watching as they made their way through the crowd, he exhaled quietly and hugged his arms around himself.

  Shit. Being away from her for even five minutes was going to be difficult.

  Separation anxiety much?

  —————

  Ags

  As the bass thumped rhythmically in the main room of the barn, she was trying to calm her speeding heart.

  She still couldn’t believe her uncle Ryan was here, in the flesh.

  They’d found a small room that gave them a little privacy, but it was hot and stuffy. She wasn’t sure if it was the best place to have a conversation.

  “Would you prefer going in the house, Uncle Ryan? I’m sure Jeb wouldn’t mind.”

  “That’s a sweet offer, Ag-a-boo, but what I have to say won’t take long,” he said, turning to face her. The room was much darker than the others, but the dim light overhead would have to do. For now, at least. “Before I get started, I need another hug.”

  When he embraced her this time, she was certain he had no intention of letting go. Not that she was complaining—Uncle Ryan hugs were the best hugs.

  Closing her eyes, she leaned against him and inhaled as deeply as possible.

  Oh, she’d missed his smell.

  “I’m so sorry I couldn’t find you sooner,” he whispered, rubbing her back. “I tried to find you, for years. Every time I thought I had a lead, it turned out to be a dead end. I’m grateful your friends tracked me down. Are you all right, Aggie?”

  “I’m fine. Now,” she replied, nodding quickly when they pulled apart. “I’ve never been better, actually. And you...wow. Look at you. I don’t think you’ve changed at all.”

  “I have, sweetheart.” Looking down at the floor briefly, he sighed. When his eyes met hers again, she could see the tears sparkling in them. “I honestly thought I’d lost you for good.”

  “What?” It felt like a punch in her gut again, and this time, it hurt like hell. “No. No, Uncle Ryan. You’ll never lose me. I just...I made a mistake. It was a terrible mistake. Mama kicked you out and then she tried to put me in that place. I-I was scared.”

  His hands fell against her shoulders and he shook his head, smiling. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, honey. I know what she was doing. And,”—he pursed his lips together and allowed his eyes to focus on her shoulder instead—“I know what that man did to you. For that, I am so, so sorry.”

  She tensed a little and took a step back. “You...knew?”

  “Yes, I knew. I didn’t really have any proof until I came to visit one day, while your mama was at the store. I walked in and...”—he cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand—“I saw...things. I wish to the gods I could erase it from my mind, but I can’t. What he was doing to you, Aggie, I just...I lost it. Something came over me and I couldn’t control it. I didn’t stop hitting him until I realized you were crying, and I knew I had to take care of you. I had to get you out of there, and I tried. I...”

  His voice cracked with emotion and he dropped his head, shoulders visibly shaking. Very carefully, she reached out to touch his arm.

  “It’s okay, Uncle Ryan. You don’t have to talk about it.”

  The sad part was, she didn’t remember that at all. She couldn’t recall anyone saving her from that monster—especially her mother. But Uncle Ryan had intervened and had tried to stop it. Why couldn’t she remember that?

  “No, I do need to talk about it,” he said, blinking rapidly as he sniffed. “This has killed me...for years. She blamed me for ruining her life after that and getting to see you was like pulling teeth. She kept me from you more often than not and it drove me insane. She blamed me for...she said,”—he sucked in a deep, calming breath and closed his eyes—“she said that I caused you to turn out the way you were.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “With Agnes,”—she winced at the name—“She said I caused him to come into existence. She said it was my fault you thought you were a boy, but in reality, it was that...bastard. Gods, I am so sorry! I thought you ran away and got yourself killed, Aggie. I checked online obituaries and articles about Jane Does for months after you ran away. Hell, I still was until I got that phone call from your friend.” Laughing bitterly, he tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling instead. “I tried numbing the heartache with alcohol for a little while, but that didn’t work very well. Lorenzo told me it was a bad idea, but I didn’t listen. I—”

  “Lorenzo?”

  “Ah, that.” He looked to her again and smiled faintly, running his tongue over his lips. “I suppose it’s best to tell you now rather than later since we’re laying all the cards on the table, sweetheart.”

  Quirking a brow, she gave a nod. “Go on.”

  “Lorenzo is my husband.”

  Her jaw dropped. “You’re gay?”

  “So gay.” He laughed. “But when I met your mother, we were both on spring break in Barbados and stuff happened. Back then I was straddling the fence, so to speak. But it wasn’t so bad; I got you out of the deal.”

  She was thrilled at the idea of having a gay uncle...until the last part. Icy hot tingles shot through her and her stomach began to churn as she stared at him, unsure if she’d heard him correctly.

  “W-what?”

  “That’s right, Aggie,” he said softly. “I’m not really your uncle, sweetheart. I’m your father.”

  If he hadn’t been there to hold onto her, she surely would have fainted. The world began to spin as she gripped his arm and tried to regain her balance. Nothing made sense anymore.

  “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Aggie. Every time I tried to, or wanted to, your mother threatened to take you away from me. Some good that did me, huh? I ended up losing you anyway.”

  There was such heartache in his voice and it killed her. She grasped at his jacket and held on for dear life, willing the room to stop spinning.

  “The only way I could be in your life was if I said I was your uncle. Your mother was cruel like that. She said if I ever told you the truth—if I ever revealed I was a gay man and I fathered you—she’d make sure I never saw you again.”

  “Oh my gods. Oh my gods.” Gasping for air, she shook her head fervently, as if that would somehow make it all go away.

  Her mother had truly been so cruel?

  “Please forgive me, Aggie. I’m so sorry. I wish I could go back in time and change it all. I never would have allowed her to take you from Barbados had I known things would happen the way they did. It was the only way I could keep you in my life, baby girl. It’s the only choice I had and I see now that it was a horrible choice. I should have fought harder for you. I should have...I...”

  “It’s okay, Uncle Ryan—I mean...Dad? Oh, gods.” Pressing a hand to her forehead, she leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes. “Wow, this is a mind fuck.”

  “I know it’s twisted, sweetheart. It always is when it comes to my life. Everything gets screwed up in some form or fashion, but,”—he gently cupped either side of her face and pressed a kiss to the hand she had on her forehead—“I will spend the rest of my life making this up to you. I know I cannot take away the pain of the past, but I’ll do everything in my power to make sure your future is happy and filled with everything you’ve ever wanted. Aggie, I...I want you to come live with Loren
zo and I, in Barbados. He accepts that I have a child and he wants to meet you. We could be proper parents to you, I promise. You’d never want for anything.”

  “Barbados?” She asked weakly, remembering all the times she’d begged to go there in the past. “You want me to come live with you, as your daughter?”

  “Yes.”

  “In Barbados?”

  “That’s what I said, Ag-a-boo.” Laughing softly in spite of his tears, he pulled her in for another hug and sighed. “We could be so happy, honey. It’s not too late to start over.”

  It was going to take a while to process this new information, especially the fact he was her father. It was going to take even longer to accept the fact her mother was a horrible fucking monster, and if she ever saw her again she’d punch her in the throat.

  But moving all the way to Barbados, so far away from Jeb?

  “It’s a lovely offer. Truly, it is,” she finally said, pulling away. “But...that guy in there? The one I was dancing with?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m really in love with him. Like, really in love. I just got my life back today; I can’t imagine being away from him for more than a few minutes right now.”

  Smiling, Ryan, aka her father, patted her arm. “I sort of figured your answer would be something like that. He seems like a pretty amazing guy.”

  “Oh, he is. He’s the best.”

  “I’m glad you found one another, Ag-a-boo.”

  “Me, too. Oh—what about Lorenzo? When do I get to meet him?”

  “He couldn’t get away from work to catch a flight with me, but he’ll be arriving first thing tomorrow morning. He’s really excited to meet you.”

  She could see the love in his eyes as he talked about his husband, and it made all the bad things dissipate. Maybe Gran really had been right about that; there were far more joyful instances in life than tragic.

  And maybe it had just taken her a little longer to figure that out.

  “Before I forget, Aggie, here’s this,” Ryan said, pulling her necklace from his pocket. “Jeb thought it might be nice if I personally returned this.”

  “He’s such a sap.” She rolled her eyes. “But...I really don’t think I deserve that anymore. I’m not a true two-spirit, Uncle—I mean, Dad. I...just had a lot going on and the other me was never real. Someone else deserves this necklace more than me.”

  “Nonsense, Agatha Nicole. This necklace would never look as pretty on anyone else’s neck.” He spun a finger in the air. “Now turn around so I can put it back where it belongs.”

  Shutting her mouth, she did as he said.

  After clasping the necklace into place, he pressed a noisy kiss to the top of her head and sighed. “Two-spirit can take on a new meaning for us, huh?” He asked quietly, wrapping his arms around her. “It can mean our spirits are bound. You and I, sweetheart; father and daughter, in this life and the next. I promise I’ll never let you go again.”

  Fresh tears began to form in her eyes as the door opened and Lydia popped her head. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but they’re about to announce the prom king and queen! Won’t you join us?”

  “Absolutely,” Ryan said, wiping at his eyes a final time. “Glad I got my vote in already.”

  “You did?” She turned to stare at him and frowned. “I didn’t get to vote.”

  But she should have known the reasoning behind that. No sooner had they made it back to Jeb, Laney grabbed the microphone from the DJ booth.

  “Hey, prom-goers! Can I have your attention, please?”

  Everyone quieted.

  “It’s time to announce this year’s prom king and queen. This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for, right?”

  “Yeah!” Callum shouted, fist in the air. “Tell us who won!”

  “Is he always so enthused?” She asked Jeb quietly.

  He chuckled and slid his arm around her waist, shrugging. “About some things, yeah,” he replied. “But he’s also had a few drinks.”

  “With all the kids here?”

  “Somebody spiked the punch—what can I say?”

  “This year’s prom king is...Jebson McIntosh!”

  The room broke out into a thunderous applause and all she could do was stand there, looking like an idiot.

  There was a tiny part of her mind that had suspected it, but having it actually happen was an entirely different ballgame.

  “And this year’s prom queen is...Aggie Reed!”

  “Come on, beautiful; that’s us,” Jeb said, extending his hands to her. He had the biggest smile on his face and it melted her heart. Whatever she’d been worrying about a few minutes ago, it was gone.

  But that was something she loved so much about him; he overwhelmed her mind, heart, and soul with happiness. There wasn’t room for anything bad anymore.

  Placing her hand in his, she walked with him to the DJ booth. Laney awaited them with a gorgeous tiara and a bouquet of flowers. Benji was holding the crown.

  She felt that it was all a dream as the tiara was place on her head and the flowers were put in her arms. All she could do was smile and wipe at her face, unaware of the tears until they were dripping from her jaw.

  It was the most beautiful moment and she’d never forget it.

  “It is now time for the first dance between the king and queen,” Benji said as he grabbed the microphone. “Please make way for your royalty.”

  She really did feel like royalty as they walked back onto the dance floor. Everyone bowed or curtsied to them, even her Uncle Ryan...erm...Dad.

  Handing her flowers off to Lydia, she turned to face Jeb and he took her into his arms, his handsome smile sucking her right in.

  A familiar song began playing then, and she gasped when she recognized it. “Is this...?”

  “Yeah,” he answered rather proudly, pulling her to his chest. “That’s me singing. It turns out Tula’s cousin owns a recording studio in Raleigh. He let me record a few songs.”

  “Oh my gods, really?”

  “Really, really. I can get you a signed copy if you want.” There was that boyish grin she loved so much. “You never know, I might make it big someday.”

  “If that’s what you want, I’ll support you all the way, baby,” she promised, slowly circling the floor with him. “I love you, Jeb. You know that?”

  “I love you, Aggie. Never forget it.”

  “I never have. Your love is what got me through all of this, you know. I’m standing here today because of you.”

  The look on his face said he was about to cry, but he somehow managed to keep it together—something she really needed to work on—and then he dipped her. She gasped in surprise and tightened her arms around his neck, laughing gleefully.

  “I’m going to marry you one of these days, Aggie Reed.”

  As he kissed her again, she groaned softly and had to remind herself they were in a very public setting and she had to behave herself. But he made it so hard to do, especially when he kissed her like that.

  They finally pulled apart to catch their breath, and he steadied her upright once again. His cheeky grin said he knew exactly what he was doing, and she was only upset she couldn’t do anything about it.

  At least not yet.

  “One of these days, Jebson Ray,” she said, biting at her lip as her cheeks heated up. The thought of marrying him was lovely. She couldn’t wait to do exactly that. “One of these days.”

  As their family and friends joined them on the dance floor again, her true love pulled her close and rested his cheek against hers, singing along to the words. Her eyes closed and she smiled, entirely content with being right where she was.

  Maybe she would visit Barbados in the near future so she could get better acquainted with Ryan’s husband, but for now, she was exactly where she was meant to be.

  Though she’d never really thought herself to have a purpose in life, Gran was proving her otherwise, even from the grave.

  Everyone did have a purpose, and hers was to l
ove Jebson McIntosh.

  Everyone did deserve happiness, and hers came in the form of a beautiful creature with the voice of an angel.

  Perhaps her happily ever after had been written in the stars all along.

  She just had to wait for the right circumstances, the right person, and of course, the right day.

  The End

  Thank you!

  I hope you enjoyed 90 Days! For more information about my books, please visit my Facebook page at

  www.facebook.com/TERidener or email me at tonyawrites@hotmail.com!

  You can also find me on my website by visiting

  www.teridener.webs.com

  Other books by T.E. Ridener you may enjoy:

  Chartreuse

  Eventually Ever After: A Chartreuse Story

  This Christmas: A Chartreuse Story

  The Kadenburg Shifters Series

  The Truth About Kadenburg

  Return to Kadenburg

  The Siege of Kadenburg

  Kadenburg Revealed

  Musical Inspiration

  Nobody Knows It But Me

  Why – Jason Aldean

  Piece by Piece – Kelly Clarkson

  All This Time – Marie Mena

  Closer – the Chainsmokers