“Ali . . . freaked out. I had a few ideas about how we could make it work, but she wasn’t willing to listen to them.”
Mom nodded. “It would be hard for her leave Burton permanently. What did you decide?”
“I told her I wouldn’t take it. I said she and Bridge are more important than any job.”
“Okay. And is that how you really feel?” My mother had a knack for getting to the root of the matter.
“Of course it is. Was I a little disappointed she wouldn’t even consider it? Well, yeah, sure. But I’ll get over it. We’ll figure it out. It was just a great opportunity for me. For us.”
Mom leaned back in her chair. “Flynn, do you remember what your father used to say about the cornerstone of a good marriage?”
Maureen and I grinned at each other. “Compromise!” We shouted the word together.
“Exactly. And do you know why he knew that so well? Because he lived it. Did you know that your father wanted to be a writer when I met him?”
“Dad?” Maureen frowned. “I didn’t know that. I thought he always wanted to teach.”
“Yes. Writing was his passion. But then we met in college, and we fell in love, and I couldn’t live with the uncertainty of that kind of life. I wanted stability, someone who would support me so I could raise our kids. And so your father changed his major, and he became a teacher instead.” A sheen of tears covered her eyes. “Twice your dad gave up his dream. Once in Ireland, when his father forced him into masonry, and then again when I forced him into teaching.”
“How come we never knew that?” My dad had been the happiest man I knew. I never would’ve guessed that he wasn’t doing exactly what he wanted.
“Because he chose to be happy. He could’ve been bitter or resented us. But he never was. Not once did your father ever accuse me of ruining his dream. He always told me he’d chosen the better part: his family. He compromised, Flynn.” She smiled at me. “You need to decide how your life can work with Ali’s. You’re both strong people. You’re passionate about what you do, and that’s wonderful, son. But try to remember that Ali’s sense of responsibility is one of the things you love about her. She wouldn’t be who she is if she didn’t care.”
“But isn’t it my turn to be her first choice? Her priority?” I hadn’t been aware how much that stung. “Last time she chose Sam. And the farm. When’s it going to be my turn?”
“God, Flynn, you sound like a spoiled brat.” Maureen rolled her eyes. “Do you know how lucky you are that you found someone you love? Who loves you? It doesn’t happen for everyone. Look at me. I’m almost thirty, and I’ve never had a real relationship. I’d give anything to have what you and Ali have. You love her. You want to build a life with her. Figure out how to make that happen, and stop whining about priorities.” She winked at me. “Compromise.”
The Colonel’s Last Stand was crowded. I eased the truck around to the side and pulled up out of the way of the real customers. Adrenaline buzzed in my system as I climbed out and headed for the front.
People were milling around the tables of vegetables and fruit, chatting with each other and loading up baskets. I spotted Cassie Deymeyer ringing sales at the register. She saw me before anyone else did and gave me a grin and a wave.
Ali was standing by a table of lettuce, earnestly explaining something to a pair of white-haired women. I waited out of her sight until she began to turn away to handle someone else. And then I called her name.
“Alison Reynolds.” She jerked her head toward me, and the smile that was mine alone stretched her mouth. She began to walk toward me, but as I kept talking, she slowed, curiosity covering her face.
“Alison Reynolds, nine years ago, I gave you an ultimatum. Leave town with me, as we’d planned, or we were through. It was a terrible thing to do. Probably the worst mistake of my life. You made the impossible choice I forced you to make: you stayed here to keep the promises you’d made to your brother. To your family. I hated that, because I thought it meant you loved me less.”
Some of the women in the crowd had stopped what they were doing and were watching us. I recognized some of them from town. Cassie leaned both of her arms against the top of register and smiled broadly at me.
Ali was frozen, her face tense as she stared at me. Her hands were clenched tightly at her sides.
“I didn’t realize that you being a woman who kept her promises was one of the things I loved most about you. I was a stupid, immature fool.”
There was a buzz of voices among the crowd. Ali’s face relaxed a fraction, but she was still wary about what was coming next.
“When I came back to Burton, back to you, I realized everything that I’d given up by leaving you all those years. I gave up my family. I gave up my greatest chance at happiness. And I gave up the only woman I will ever be able to love.”
Whispers and awws came from the around the stand. I ignored them, focusing on the only woman whose heart would ever matter to me.
“Ali, I want a life with you. I want a life where we both get to live out what we’re passionate about. If you feel like we need to live in Burton, I’ll stay here with you. I’ll build you a house, I’ll get a job that lets me come home to you every night, and we’ll make that family. I promise you, I’ll do anything to make you happy.
“But if you might consider a compromise . . .” I smiled, letting the word roll off my tongue and feeling my dad at my shoulder. “I think there’s a way for us to work it out. The most important thing, though, is that you know who and what is the most essential to me. And that’s you, Ali. There’s no future for me without you, because you are my future.”
I walked toward her slowly, my eyes never leaving her face. “So Alison Reynolds . . . marry me. Marry me, and make me complete. Marry me, and we’ll make the family we’ve always wanted.” I reached her and held out my hand, whispering the last words. “Marry me, because I’ll never leave you. I’ve loved you my whole life, Ali, and I’m never going to stop loving you.” I dropped to my knee and opened my other hand, where my mother’s engagement ring, the beautiful antique Celtic knot, lay on my palm. “Please.”
She was shaking now. I could feel it in her hand. Or maybe that was me, because I also tasted the tears that were rolling down my face as I stared into her eyes, willing her to say the only word that I ever wanted to hear.
The most beautiful smile I’d seen in my entire life curved her lips. She reached out her free fingertips to trace the side of my face.
“Yes.”
A smattering of applause filled the stand, but I hardly noticed. I stood up and pulled Ali into me, wrapping my arms around her as I buried my face in her neck. She threaded her fingers into my hair, and I knew without a doubt that I was where I belonged.
I was home.
THE SUN WAS BLAZING down on me as I walked from the house to the tent set up in front yard. It was hot for early May, and I was glad I’d gone with the strapless dress and sandals.
“Hey, Ali.” A pretty woman who bore more than a passing resemblance to Meghan greeted me with a hug. “This is absolutely perfect. Thanks so much for throwing Meghan’s graduation party. I can’t believe the turnout.”
I looked around at the crowds of people filling the tables and chairs we’d borrowed from friends and neighbors, at the line of folks enjoying the buffet table and the few who’d take up residence on the porch.
“This town loves Meghan, Jude. She’s one of us now.” I squeezed her arm. “Thanks for sharing her.”
“You all make her happy. That’s what matters.” She beamed at me. “And speaking of happy, I hear you’ve got some good news.”
I held up my left hand. The beautiful ring I’d always admired on Cory Evans felt right on my finger. I’d been a little worried at first about taking it away from her, but she’d pushed that away.
“Brice would want you to wear it. And so do I. It has centuries of love and happy marriages built into it, and I know you’re only going to bring it more.”
“Hey, are you talking about me?” Flynn slid his arms around my waist and drew me back against him. “I just got Bridget to sit down and eat something.”
I laughed. “Jude, have you met my fiancé, Flynn Evans? Babe, this is Jude, Meghan’s mom.”
“Congratulations to both of you.” Jude cocked her head. “So you’re moving to New York?”
“Yes. Sort of.” I turned my head to smile at Flynn. “Flynn’s got a job at a news magazine in New York, and we’re going to live up there part of the year, from late fall to early spring. But from May through September, we’ll live here in Burton, so I can do my part with the farm. Flynn will telecommute while we’re down here. The magazine wanted him enough to make that happen.” I covered Flynn’s hands where they rested on my middle. “And we’ll be traveling, too, about a week out of every month. I’m going to homeschool Bridget, so we have the freedom to go with Flynn, wherever he’s working.”
“Sounds like a perfect compromise.” Jude’s lips twitched, and I knew she’d heard the whole story from her daughter.
“I think it works for us.” Flynn nuzzled my neck.
“Two weddings in one year. Who would’ve ever thought?” Meghan joined us, slipping her hand around her mother’s back. She held out her own left hand, where my mother’s ring sparkled. It looked absolutely perfect.
“I want to hear the whole story of how Sam proposed.” Jude hugged her daughter. “You promised when you called me.”
Meghan smiled. “We were on the porch last night, and I was nervous about graduation and the party today. Sam made me sit on the swing, and he told me to sketch something, because he knows it calms me down to draw. So I started doing a picture of our two hands together, and when I had it finished, I showed it to him, and he said it was missing something. I took it back to check, because I actually thought it was a pretty damn good sketch, and when I looked back at Sam, he was on his knee, holding out my ring and asking me to marry him.” She smirked a little. “He might’ve said some other things, too. You know, about love, how I’m his life, and he never wants to live without me again.”
“Yeah, you women have a way of turning us inside out and making it so we can’t live without you.” Logan, Jude’s husband, came over and slid his hand through his wife’s. He smiled down at her. “Not that I’d have it any other way.”
“Hey, is this a family gathering? Did you forget me?” Sam slung his arm over Meghan’s shoulders.
“We were just hearing how romantic you are, big brother.” I bumped my arm against Sam’s.
“We need to talk wedding plans.” Jude raised her eyebrows. “I’m so excited about it. Everyone back at the Cove is going to be happy to hear you’re getting married on the beach.”
“What about you two?” Logan glanced at me. “You know you’re welcome to use the Rip Tide if you want to have your wedding on the beach, too.”
“Thanks.” Flynn kissed my cheek. “But our family and friends would raise a fuss if we didn’t finally give them a wedding right here in Burton. We’re not doing anything too big, but it’ll be in town, at the end of the summer.”
Jude nodded. “Well, you’re always welcome when you want to come visit.” She glanced inside the tent where her toddler grandson was running the length of the buffet line. “I think I’d better go lasso DJ. Lindsay’s not feeling well. The heat takes it out of her these days.”
“When’s she due?” I shaded my eyes from the sun.
“End of the summer, poor thing. Between the Tide, DJ and this new baby, she’s going to have her hands full.” Jude took Logan’s hand. “We’d better go give her a break. Talk to you later, Ali.”
Meghan watched her mother hurry over to scoop up her grandson and then glanced back at me. “Sam told me you’d come up with someone to help him with the stand after you move.”
“Yeah, for the months when we’re living in New York. Rilla Grant’s doing the PR for the stand now, and when I mentioned we were looking for someone to help out, she jumped at the chance. I guess she’s trying to make a little money to get her own place and jumpstart her business.”
“I don’t think I know her.” Meghan frowned. “Sam said she lives nearby?”
“She does. I don’t know her whole story yet, but I think she’ll be a good fit. She seems to be a hard worker, and I’ll train her this summer before we leave.”
“I’m so glad everything’s working out for you.” Meghan squeezed my arm. “I’ll miss you when you’re living in New York, but I know you and Bridget are going to love it. You’re all three going to be so happy.”
Flynn’s smile was brilliant. “That’s the plan.”
Alex was passing us, carrying a plate laden with food to a table where his parents waited. When he heard Flynn’s words, he grinned and winked at me.
“Man of honor! Remember, I’m it. I’m serious.”
I blew him a kiss. “Who else?” I laughed as I watched him navigate through the people who stood between his table and him.
Sam tugged at Meghan’s hand. “You need to eat before this crowd devours everything. Come on.”
As they wandered away, Flynn took my hand and kissed it. “You good, babe?”
I looked around at all the people I loved, gathered on the land that had nourished generations of my family, and then at the man who was my every dream, my every wish and my future.
“I couldn’t be any better.”
“Really? What if I did this?” He used the hand he was holding to pull me tight against his chest. The other hand skimmed over my cheek until he caught my chin between his finger and thumb, using it to coax my mouth open as he lowered his lips to mine in a sweet kiss that held every hope we shared.
I lost myself in Flynn and his touch until breathing became an issue. He leaned his forehead down against the top of my head and whispered so that I shivered.
“See? I told you it could be even better.”
“Hmmm.” I pretended to consider. “I guess if it only gets better each time you kiss me, you’ll have to do it all the time, every day, for the rest of our lives. Think you’re up to it?”
His blue eyes sparkled with wicked intent, and his lips curved into a smile of promise.
“Challenge accepted.”
THE END
The human brain is the coolest thing. The portion where stories are born is an amazing place that makes connections that sometimes blow me away.
A long time ago, I remember being with my oldest daughter in the car as we listened to Tim McGraw’s song, Everywhere. I told her there was a beautiful story in those lyrics, and it began to unfold in my mind. While I didn’t write it then, it always lingered there, just in the back of my mind.
Flash forward to last year when I was writing The Last One. Sam’s sister Ali had a story, and I knew the vague outline of it. Then one evening, it all came together, and I realized that Ali’s story was the one I’d begun to spin years before. Love when that happens.
So thank you to Tim McGraw for that song and many others that have made me laugh and cry over the years.
Thanks also to my wonderful team of book midwives: Kelly Baker for proofreading magic, Stacey Blake of Champagne Formats for making it all pretty, Amanda Long and Olivia Hardin for their help and support, and Mandie Stevens and Jen Rattie for their promo help. Massive love to all of you! L.P. Hidalgo of BookFabulous Designs made this beautiful cover—I appreciate her hard work and patience.
I am endlessly grateful for the support, encouragement and cheering of my readers. Y’all make me smile and keep me going. Big hugs and hearts all around.
And always, always, always . . . thank you to my wonderful family. I love you all.
Gentle On My Mind The Band Perry
Dirt Florida Georgia Line
What Might Have Been Little Texas
What Hurts The Most Rascal Flatts
&nb
sp; All My Friends Say Luke Bryan
Bartender Lady Antebellum
Everywhere Tim McGraw
Already Home Ha-Ash with Brandi Carlile
“HEY, SWEET CHEEKS.” SOFT lips brushed against my face. “It’s almost time to wake up.”
“Mmmm.” I groaned. “Don’t wanna. Too early.”
Her quiet laughter sent a thrill of desire down my middle. “Never did like getting up. I wish I could let you sleep longer, darlin’ boy, but our daughter’s about to call for you. She’s going to want breakfast.”
I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow. “Can’t you get her? Just this one morning?”
“Would that I could, my love. I’d give just about anything ... but I can’t.” Her voice was wistful, and even in the haze of half-sleep, a lump rose in my throat.
“Lu, don’t leave me. Not today. Stay.”
“I’m never far, love. And I’m so proud of you. What you’re doing here ... raising Piper, taking care of your mama ... I always knew the kind of man you are, Mason. But even I never would’ve guessed you’d be able to handle all this.” I felt her hand sweep over my hair, and I wanted to capture it in my own, but somehow I couldn’t move.
“I don’t want to handle it. I’m tired of doing it on my own. I want to stay here, with you.”
Her sigh went deep into my soul. “I know. And that’s going to change. But you’ve got to trust a little, and you’re gonna have to give a little, too. It’s all going to be wonderful, my love, trust me. But right now, you’ve got to ...”
“Wake up! Wake up, Daddy!” A small hand pounded on my shoulder, and with no little difficulty, I dragged myself away from the tempting embrace of sleep.
“Okay, kiddo. I’m awake.” I slung an arm over my eyes.
“No, you’re not. Get up, Daddy. Tuneful Time!”
“Yeah, I know.” I groped around the bed covers until my fingers closed on the TV remote. “Climb up here, princess. I’ll turn it on.”
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