by Street, K.
On my way to work, I stopped off at the grocery store to pick up a few things.
When I got to the shop, Tucker was already behind the counter. Since we didn’t officially open for another fifteen minutes, the lobby was empty.
“Hey,” I greeted him.
He waved his finger at me. “What’s with the face?”
“What face?” I set the bags on the counter and wiped my hands on my jeans.
“Like you ate bad Mexican food on a road trip through the desert, and there’s nowhere to shit.”
“I bet you think you’re hilarious.”
Tucker gave me a half shrug. “That seems to be the consensus.”
“I’m going to propose to her tomorrow.”
“That explains the look. How about you tell me your plan, and I’ll give you some pointers?”
I joined him behind the counter and rifled through one of the drawers where we kept office supplies and other random shit. Way in the back, I found what I had been looking for. I set Shayne’s bottle of neon-pink nail polish on the counter next to Tucker.
“Pass. It’s too early for Say Yes to the Dress, but I’m sure we can find something else.”
He flipped me off. “Asshole.”
“Right back at you, brother.” I tossed the unopened polish back in the drawer.
Our first customer walked through the door, and for the next few hours, work was nonstop.
Things slowed down around lunchtime when Camryn showed up with Shayne.
“Uncle Nash!”
She made a beeline for me, and I stood and opened my arms to catch her.
“Monkey? What are you doing here?”
She squeezed my neck, and I carried her to where Camryn was.
“Hey, little Mama.” I shifted Shayne to the side and gave Camryn a hug. “How’re you feeling?”
“Great. How’ve you been?”
“I can’t complain. Wouldn’t do me any good anyway.” I poked Shayne’s belly. “You missed me, didn’t you?”
“Yes. And Mama wanted to see Daddy.”
Tucker came inside, and I set Shayne down, so she could go to him.
“Daddy.”
He crouched, and she threw her arms around his neck.
“We came to visit for a few minutes. Unless you’re too busy.”
“I’m never too busy for my girls.” He gave her a squeeze.
I felt a small pang of jealousy as I watched their interaction.
“Nash?”
“Yeah, boss?”
Tucker glared at me. “Do you mind keeping an eye on Bug for a few minutes?” His eyes shifted slightly in Camryn’s direction.
Her gaze was fixed on the floor, but her cheeks were painted in the deepest blush.
The amount of restraint I exercised was remarkable.
“No worries. I’ll hold down the fort.” I turned to Shayne. “Come on, Monkey. I have a job for you.”
“Appreciate it.” Tucker took Camryn by the hand and pulled her close. He muttered something I couldn’t make out and closed his office door.
“What’s my job, Uncle Nash?”
“First, I need you to watch the counter while I grab a few supplies.” I placed her on the stool. “Don’t move from that spot.”
“All right.”
I went into the bay, got what I needed, and headed back to Shayne.
“Here.” I gave her the mallet.
“Do I get to hammer something?”
“Yes.” I dumped some Oreos in a gallon-sized baggie, squeezed the air out, and sealed it. “Use the mallet to crush the cookies but not too hard, or it will make a huge mess.”
Shayne looked at the bag I’d placed beside her on the counter and then at me. She put her finger on the side of her lip like she was deep in thought. “Uncle Nash, why am I beating up the Oreos? I mean, they’re Oreos, and unless we’re putting them on ice cream, it seems sort of barbaric.” Her eyes went wide, and her whole face lit up. “Is there ice cream?”
“Nope. No ice cream.”
“Oh. So, I’m just supposed to crush these cookies like a savage? Got it.”
“Tell you what; you can take the rest of the ones we don’t beat up home with you.”
She stuck out the hand not holding her weapon of destruction. I placed my hand in hers, and we shook on it.
“You have a deal.”
The kid was saving me a lot of trouble.
Shayne pounded the cookies while I checked out our lone customer. Unless there were walk-ins, there was nothing on the books until after two.
Twenty minutes later, when Tucker and Camryn emerged from the office, her hair was mussed, and Tucker couldn’t wipe the grin off his face if he tried.
Shayne reduced the cookies to crumbs, just like I’d asked.
Tucker pointed to the bag of blackened bits. “What’s all that about?”
“Uncle Nash turned me into a savage.”
“I don’t even want to know.” Tucker held up his hands.
When the girls left, we ordered lunch, and I cleaned up the mess Shayne and I had made.
After work, I went home and swapped out the car for the truck. I made sure everything was taken care of and drove over to Macy’s.
Italian spices hit my nose when I walked in.
Macy stood at the stove in the kitchen.
“Hey, baby.” I wrapped my arms around her from behind, and she leaned into me. “It smells good.”
“Thanks. How was your day?”
“Good. And yours?”
“It just got a whole lot better. Dinner should be done in a few if you want to go grab a shower.”
I gave her a chaste kiss. “All right. I’ll be out in a few.” I started to walk away but turned back to test the waters. I didn’t know what her plans were for tomorrow. “I thought I’d take you fishing in the morning. We haven’t been in a while.”
She broke the pasta noodles into a pot of boiling water. “Mama J wanted to know if we were going to make it for Sunday supper. I told her I would ask you. We can do both.”
“That sounds great.”
Macy lowered the flame under the spaghetti sauce. “I’ll let her know.”
“I won’t be long,” I assured her and walked to the bathroom.
I stripped out of my clothes and turned on the water. As I stood beneath the warm spray I thought about Macy and what our life together would look like. I ached with how much I loved her. She was everything to me and as long as I lived, I would do my damnedest to be a man worthy of her.
* * *
I focused my attention on the road and tried to ignore the way my pulse sped up. My palms were so damn slick; I had to wipe them on my jeans every few minutes.
Macy had made us coffee in to-go mugs, and I picked mine up and took a drink.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
“I don’t know. You seem a little jittery.”
Shit.
“No. I’m good.” I needed to change the subject and fast. “Did Mama J tell you what she’s making for dinner?”
Macy said something I only half-heard.
We arrived at the fishing hole, and by some miracle, we were the only ones there.
We got out and walked to the rear of the truck.
“Here.” I gave Macy the poles. Then, I grabbed the cooler, bait container, and the blanket.
Together, we strolled down to the water.
She waited while I spread out the cover.
“Thanks.” She took a seat and grabbed her pole.
“Do you want a Dr. Pepper?” I asked.
We always had Dr. Pepper when we fished. It didn’t matter what time of day it was.
“I’d love one.”
I turned my back and opened the cooler. My heart pounded as I waited.
I heard the plastic lid as Macy opened the container. Then, her laughter hit my ears.
“Nash, why does the bait smell like Oreos? Oh my God. Are those gummy worms?” She laughe
d a full belly laugh, and then her amusement died. She sucked in a breath.
When she turned to face me, I was already on one knee. I took the velvet pouch from her hand and reached inside to withdraw the small black box.
Her hands were pressed to her mouth, and tears streamed down her face before I said the first word.
“Bee, I have loved you my whole life. I’ve known I was going to marry you since we were kids. Our road hasn’t been easy, baby, but somehow, we’ve always found our way back to each other. You’re my world. When I look at you, I see everything I’ve ever wanted. Everything that is worth fighting for. Be my wife. Marry me, Mace. And I promise I will love you with all that I am for the rest of my life.”
My hands shook as I opened the box and held out the ring to her.
“Y-yes. Yes.” Tears poured faster than she could wipe them away.
I slid the ring on her finger, held her face, and tenderly kissed her, tasting her salty tears. Then, I picked her up in the air and twirled her around while she squealed in delight.
We gave up on fishing rather quickly. Considering our bait situation and the fact that we had probably scared them off anyway. After we gathered our gear, we loaded up and got back into the truck.
I started to turn left onto the highway, but Macy stopped me. “Turn right.”
“Why?”
“Just do it. I want to show you something.” She dug her phone out of her purse.
“All right.” I drove toward the outskirts of town.
When we had driven about seven miles, Macy said, “Turn right up there.” She pointed it out through the windshield and then rummaged through her bag and pulled out a set of keys.
I steered down a winding lime rock road. At the end was a beautiful brick house that sat on at least five acres of land.
“Wow,” I said, killing the engine. “Whose house is this?”
“The listing came across my desk the other day. Come on. Let’s go inside.” Macy hopped out of the truck.
I laughed and raced after her. “Slow down, woman. Where’s the fire?”
Macy was starry-eyed as we toured the interior of the house. She loved it; I could tell.
The inside needed a fresh coat of paint and some minor cosmetic changes. It had definite potential, but it was big.
Too big for just two people.
This kind of home needed a family.
We walked around outside, and when I saw the detached garage building, I got that same starry-eyed look Macy had had earlier.
“What do you think? I mean, I know it’s big, but we could always fill it with puppies. And maybe a couple of kids.”
I crushed her against me. “I love you, Bee. It’s perfect.”
She pulled back. Happy tears cascading down her face. “I love you, too, Nash. So much.”
Then, she smiled my favorite smile, the one I wanted to wake up to every morning for as long as I lived.
Epilogue
Macy - Eight Months Later
Camryn carefully hugged me. “I love you, Macy, and I’m so happy for you.” Tears glistened in her eyes.
“I love you, too. Now, stop it, or you’ll make me cry.”
She squeezed my hand. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
When the door shut quietly behind her, I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror and pressed a hand to my rapidly beating heart.
My white gown was fitted and flared at the waist, classic and elegant. I wore a simple tiara instead of a veil, and my makeup was light. I fingered the necklace at my throat, a wedding gift from my future husband. The chain was white gold, and a honeybee charm dangled from it. I loved it and everything it signified between me and Nash.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
“Just a second,” I called out.
I reached for my bouquet filled with yellow and white roses.
This was it. The day I had been dreaming of since I was a little girl. Everything was perfect.
Nash had been right. It had taken my father a while to come around, but he had. He apologized profusely to the both of us, but it wasn’t that simple. It took a lot of work to rebuild our relationship. It had been difficult, but we’d extended grace and offered forgiveness.
My father finally saw Nash for the man he was. Loyal, kind, and dependable. Worthy of his daughter.
“It’s time,” my dad called from the other side of the door.
I opened it and slipped my hand in his.
He took me in. “You look beautiful, Macy. Nash is a lucky man.”
“I’m the lucky one, Daddy.”
And I was.
Epilogue
Nash - Four Years Later
“Daddy, come get me.” Our four-year-old daughter, Ellie, wiggled her bottom and ran through the backyard.
The smell of barbeque permeated the air, and today was the perfect day for a party to celebrate our little girl.
“Go on, babe. I’ll watch the burgers,” Macy prodded.
“In a minute.” I wrapped my arms around her protruding belly from behind and rested my chin on her head, as we stared in Ellie’s direction. “Can you believe it’s been two years?”
“It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.”
“Dad-dee. You have to get me.”
“When is everyone supposed to be here?”
Macy angled her head to look at me. “In about thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be back.” I gave her a chaste kiss on the mouth before running toward Ellie. “Here I come,” I yelled across the lawn.
The melodic sound of her laughter hit my ears and warmed my heart.
I gathered her into my arms and tickled her belly.
“Daddy, that tickles. Stop it.” She giggled and squirmed.
I set her on her feet, and she took her stance, ready to bolt.
So, I put my hands on my hips and asked the question I knew she was waiting on, “Do you know what day it is?”
She darted across the grass, her cackle floating in the air in her wake.
I chased after her, and when I got close enough, I scooped her up again. “It’s Gotcha Day.”
She put her hands on my cheeks. “Because you got me.”
“That’s right.” Ellie’s adoption was finalized two years ago and today we were celebrating her Gotcha Day.
“And I got you, too.”
“You sure did. Let’s go get Mommy.”
“All right. Can we play later?”
“Yes, and your cousins will be here soon.”
She raised her arms in the air and shook her small fists. “I’m so excited.”
I kissed the top of Ellie’s head and set her down.
Our daughter wrapped her arms around my wife’s legs. “Mommy, we got you.”
“You sure do, Ellie Blue.” She smoothed her blonde hair out of her face. “Want to help me put the cookies on a tray?”
“Yes. Because cookies.”
Shayne was definitely rubbing off on her.
I flipped the burgers on the grill and stared out across our property to the live oak tree that we had planted to honor Lucas’s memory. Macy and I’d ended up putting in an offer on the house we looked at the day I proposed. We loved it out here. It was peaceful, and we had plenty of room to grow, which was good since Macy was nearly eight months pregnant. It wasn’t planned, and we both had been terrified in the beginning. But here we were, and both Macy and the baby were healthy.
Chaos ensued, and I turned toward the noise. Children spilled out the back door, followed by Mama J and Macy’s parents. Tucker brought up the rear, carrying a bottle of beer for each of us.
“Thought you could use a cold one.”
“Thanks, brother.”
After we twisted off the caps, we clanked our bottles together and took a long pull.
Macy and Camryn came outside, carrying bags of chips and cut-up vegetables. They set the food on the picnic table and came to stand beside us.
I snaked an arm around Macy
’s waist, and Tucker tugged Camryn closer.
We watched our kids play with their grandparents, and it was one of those rare moments when you stepped back to take it all in.
“Life is beautiful,” I spoke the thought aloud.
Tucker clanked his bottle with mine again. “Hell yeah, it is.”
Acknowledgments
To God—The first portion.
Mr. Street, you are more than I deserve. When I started this book, I knew that it would be a rough ride, and you have been there every step of the way. Doing laundry, throwing chocolate at me, drafting an addition for all my personalities, and keeping me supplied with caffeine. There is nobody I would rather leap with. I would be lost without you. You are my happily ever after. I will love you until I breathe my last breath, and even then, I’ll love you still. My cup runneth over. P.S. Still Arby’s. You really should just admit I’m right.
Sunshine Girl, thank you for being an amazing kid. Being a parent is a tough job, but you make it easy. Being your mom has been my greatest joy. You’re my favorite human. I love you, Baby Bear, to the moon and back again, plus all the stars in the sky.
Mom, thanks for not disowning me. I love you.
Tracy, thanks for everything. I love you, sister dear.
My family, you guys are the best. Thank you for cheering me on and supporting me. I will always be grateful.
My girls—Marni and Crystal—thank you for being the most kick-ass girlfriends a woman could ever wish for. You girls are everything, and I’m blessed to call you my besties. I live for our conversations. We’re some of the funniest people I know, and everyone should have friends like us. I don’t know how I would have pulled off this book without the two of you.
Middle, I love your face!
Jovana Shirley, you’re a wonderful human and a remarkable editor. One of these days, I won’t have to push my deadline. Also, you shouldn’t believe everything you read. Thank you for taking my words and making them into something I can be proud of.
Letitia Hasser of Romantic Book Affairs, thank you for the amazing cover and for working so tirelessly through all my tweaks.
Judy Zweifel, thank you for squeezing me in. I appreciate you and your mad skills so much.