Peace in My View (11 page)

Chapter 25

Gentry

L
eaving the ranch yesterday should have put me back in Florida already. Anytime before, it was easier to breathe with every state line I crossed. I found out yesterday that is no longer the case. The weight of the pain from losing my dad always lessened the further from home I got. Of course, I thought I could escape the loss of Momma the same way. By the time I reached Mississippi, I realized the problem. I wasn’t just leaving Momma behind, she was gone. I had walked away from the only person on this earth I loved more than my parents, more than myself. My wife, my life, Ariana was my whole reason for living.

I was stupid to think I could escape something so powerful. The pull that woman has on my heart was tethering me back to Texas. No matter how bad the pain of losing my parents was, in that state at least, I had Ari. Here, I not only mourn the recent loss of my momma and the ever present loss of my dad, I was also without the one person who brought relief to the pain. I willingly walked away from the one woman whom I loved more that anything in this world.

Yesterday evening, I decided to grab a motel to make sure I needed to turn back. After all, Ariana agreed to come to Florida as soon as she was free. By this morning, I was ready to buy a plane ticket in order to get to her as fast as possible. I didn’t, of course, but I wanted to. I haven’t told her any of this, though. I would as soon as I was in front of her again. Well, I did let her know I had decided to spend the night in Mississippi claiming I was just too tired to make the full trip. I wish I could be like Peck —who had flown back to Florida a week ago— he was back to living his everyday life. Right now, everyday life sounds very far away from me.

I wish this truck was a Hennessy Venom GT right ‘bout now. 270 mph would get me back to my pain killer faster than almost ten hours in this dually. When I reached the Texas/Louisiana border, crossing over the Sabine River, I released a breath that feels like I’ve been holding forever. Five hours down and five to go. Can this truck go any faster? Definitely makes me wish I hadn't taken my usual route. I’ve never wanted to be in Whisper as much as I do in this moment. I literally can’t get there fast enough.

I pull into Ari’s drive way just after dark. Looks like all the lights are off, but her truck is in the drive. Now I’m hoping she is home and not out with Liv—why did I not inform someone I was headed back? After ten hrs I need to see my wife more than I need my next breathe. I shut off my truck and open my door. I take a few deep breaths in and out. I grab the bouquet of fresh sunflowers I purchased at the grocery store and hop out. I run from my truck up the front porch steps. I ring the door bell before impatiently knocking. Please Lord, let her be home. I check my keys, coming up empty handed. What the hell did I do with my key? I wait a few more minutes, knock a few more times, and nothin’ I get nothin’. I decide to walk around back and try the back door— her room is closer to it so maybe she will hear me knocking if it’s locked—but as I round the side of the house, I see the kitchen light on. There she is in all her wifey goodness. Sexy as all get out standing at the sink. It’s like a present I didn’t know I was getting. I watch her for a few minutes. God, is she beautiful. That woman of mine always has her hair in some crazy braid, I swear. I love it. I love her long brown hair, but I love when I can see that gorgeous long neck of hers. She looks a little sad, and I selfishly hope it’s because she is missing me. I reach up to knock, and she must see the movement because she lets out a bloodcurdling scream. Oh shit, I frightened the hell out of her. She recovers quickly when she realizes it’s me. I mouth my apologies and signal for her to meet me at the front door.

When I round the side of the house, she is already on the front porch.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were in Florida?” I can’t tell if she is upset that I’m not or relieved to see it’s me.My movements are faster now, needing to have her in my arms. I pick her up and squeeze her tight before answering her questions.

“I tried to go, but the further I got, the worse the pain. I love you too much to be away from you. The pain of Momma’s death is crushing me, but it was killing me being without you. You are my pain killer. You’re my light in the endless darkness. I will do whatever I can, endure any pain, as long as you are by my side. I forgot how much I needed you. I guess I needed to run to realize that. I can’t breathe without you. You are my breath.” I hand her the flowers I bought for her and watch as she smells them. Do sunflowers smell? I guess it a natural instinct to smell flowers.

“Thank you for the flowers. I’m so glad you are back. I was just trying to figure out how I was gonna be able to let go of everything and go find you. I thought I never wanted to move from this stupid town, until I met you and realized none of this matters if I don’t have you. Gentry Sloan, I love you more than the sunrise, more than the sunset, and more than photography or sunflowers. You are the peace in my view.”

As soon as we are inside, she starts stripping off her clothes.
Hell, yeah
!

“What are you doing, Wife?” I ask her, in my husky voice, I know drives her mad.

“Welcoming my husband home, of course.” She tells me this and takes off running. God, she was the peace is my everything.

Epilogue

Ariana

B
y summer, Gentry and I had sold the ranch and my house, moving eleven hours from the little town I had always considered home. We had been living in Santa Rosa, just over a month, in our new beach front home. It had an amazing view. I couldn’t wait for my parents to come visit, sure that they would love it and want to move here (not in with us, of course). They were now fourteen hours away. I couldn’t just get in my car and drive to see them for the day. Gentry had been doing great, thriving actually, since we had arrived here. He was in grief counseling, and both of us attended a support group for people who had lost loved ones to the disease. Neither of us had worked since moving here. I felt like we were on constant vacation. Last year at this time, if you had asked me where I’d be in a year, I would've never dreamed this would be it. To say our lives have changed was a gross understatement. I was loving this life and all it offered. I used to think I would never move from Whisper, Texas, for the simple fact that I had moved around my entire life. My dad being in the military, we didn’t have a lot of say in the matter. I didn’t want to continue doing it.

Then I met Gentry, and my life flopped on its axis.
“
Excuse me, Ma’am,” Oh yeah, that voice sounded like peace to my ears. I removed the sunhat from my eyes and looked up to find my dreamy husband standing over me.

“You gonna lay in the sun all day, or are we gonna go get that best friend of yours? Peck is blowing up my phone. He’s wanting to go with us to get Olive Oyl.” I couldn’t wait to see my friend. Liv was spending the summer with Gentry and me. The four of us were gonna make our mark in the sand. Gentry helped me to my feet, and I went inside to get ready. It was a fifty minute drive to the airport in Panama City where Liv was flying into. I selfishly hoped Peck would sweep her off her feet, and she would move down here, too. I was having a hard time hanging out with with these two beach bums all the time.

After I was changed into something more presentable, I went in search of Gentry. I wasn't sure where he went. I walked out on the balcony to get one last look at my favorite view. I spotted him on the beach watching the waves. I know he is thinking about his momma. He always is anytime he is there watching the waves, hoping she is watching him and is proud of him. I give him a few minutes before joining him.

“You ready, Freddy?” I asked him with a smile. “I heard your boy pull up when I was coming out here.” No sooner do I get the words out, and Peck is yelling from the patio,

“Let’s go, Sand Lizards, Olive Oyl awaits.” That man has it so bad.

Olivia

T
he bell rings, and I’m free… Well, for the most part anyway. I can’t wait to have time off. Summer is always much needed at the end of the year, then I am always ready to head back in August. Well, except this past year. My aunt was diagnosed with cancer and help was needed around her house. Gentry came home and fell in love with my girl. Yeah, this past summer had been nuts. My best friend moved away last month. She married my cousin, and he took her away; I didn’t see that coming. I don’t mind sharing though because I want his best friend to be mine.

Peck was how do I explain… . Exotic like, seriously. You know tanned, muscled, very athletic build. He wore those fancy jeans with fleur-de-lis on the pockets. My favorite jeans. Perfection: that’s what he looks like. Peck was always taking off his shirt for something. I remember this one time I was at the ranch visiting, I looked outside, and he was undressing in the summer sun like he had an audience. I guess he did, but he didn’t know I was watching. My phone ringing brings be back to reality. Yay, it’s Ari.

“What’s up, Love?” I answer.

“The sun,” she burst out laughing. Really? She is always laughing at her silly jokes.

“Ha ha ha, so original,” I tease.

“You love me,” she counters.

“ I definitely do,” I say in agreement.

“When is your flight? I can’t wait for you to get here. You leave tomorrow afternoon, right? How was the last day of school? Were the kiddos rambunctious?”

“It wasn't too bad. I leave here at noon tomorrow so I think I will arrive at 3P.M., but I will have to check my ticket to be sure.”

“Sweet! Let me know. I’m gonna get off here and go play in the sand with Gentry.”

“Ew, really? I don’t want to hear about that.”

“Liv, get your head out of the gutter. Love ya bye.”

“Love ya. See ya tomorrow.”

I can’t wait to get off this plane. I hate flying, the shaking of take off, the ear popping, and the motion sickness. Then there is the landing; yeah, that part was for the birds. I would’ve driven, but my best friend offered to pay for my plane ticket, and I couldn’t argue with her. I’ve never been to Florida. I couldn’t wait to see Ari and lay on the beach all day. I wanted to snorkel and maybe evening try scuba diving.

I grab my bags and head down to where Ari said she would be. Oh-my-freakin-God! He is here. Peck is here with them. I hoped. I prayed. I dreamed, but seeing him here. Breathe, Liv, breathe. He is coming this way with long determined strides. Scooping me up into one of his bear hugs he says,

“Olive Oyl, you're here. We missed you.” I freaking hate that name… But, I loooove when he says it. Yeah, I’m done for. I look to my framily, shaking their heads and laughing at us. This is gonna be a long summer. Fun, but long. Ugh.

The End

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I couldn’t have done any of this without God giving me the words.

I am daily encouraged by the unwavering support of my husband. His life has been filled with missed dinners and coming home from a long day’s work to an even messier-than-normal house. He is my reason for writing a romance novel. No, he isn’t a cowboy, quite the opposite actually, but he is my inspiration.

My kids must be mentioned here, too. They helped me choose the perfect cover from Kari March Designs (she’s amazing). They also suffered through corn dog, pizza, and Ramen noodle dinners so I could spend hours writing.

My momma, who always taught me right from wrong, encouraged me to chase my dreams, but to never compromise myself or my faith, deserves recognition.

My mom-in-law, who spent countless hours listening to me ramble on about this or that, giving constructive criticism, googling descriptions, and offering information on her own encounters with the loss of a loved one to cancer, rates heartfelt appreciation. I couldn't have done this without her love and support.

My beta girls warrant admiration. These ladies listened to me for over a year talk about a book that I might have never finished, but they were always eager to read what I had ready and always encouraged me to finish.

Amber, for all your help, it was unexpected but so appreciated. Your hard work on teasers and spreading the word about my book has been amazing. Love ya B.

Nicole, for answering all my questions with a smile. I’m excited to see where this new venture leads us both.

Tracy, for being on top of it, double checking and helping me achieve perfection.

My Uncle John and Aunt Michelle can’t be left out here. They let me ask an unending amount of questions about cattle and ranching. Lazy S Ranch would be nothing more than a handful of words without their help.

My editor Kathy, who found time to meet my requests with a smile, and who also helped encourage me when I had doubt, merits mentioning, too.
Peace In My View
wouldn’t be what is or where it is without her. Thanks for putting up with my elementary grammar.

Countless others could be listed (they know who they are) because they listened and encouraged me throughout this crazy adventure.